AP National Sports

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Ecuador striker Enner Valencia scored a World Cup-best third goal in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands that eliminated host nation Qatar from its home tournament. The draw gave both the Dutch and Ecuador one point apiece to move them to four points in

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy took differing paths that are now crossing in this year’s edition of The Game. McCarthy was just a bit player during last year’s 42-27 Michigan victory but won the starting QB job early in the

By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press DOHA, Qatar (AP) — As dawn broke Friday in Qatar, the laborers who built this energy-rich country’s World Cup soccer stadiums, roads and subway filled empty stretches of asphalt and sandlots to play the sport closest to their hearts — cricket. The sport that spread across the reaches of the

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — France captain Hugo Lloris is confident midfielder Adrien Rabiot’s star will continue rising at the World Cup against Denmark on Saturday. Rabiot led defending champion France in its 4-1 win over Australia in its opening match. It was a remarkable turnaround for a player once

By GERALD IMRAY AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Senegal has sent host Qatar to another loss at the World Cup and closer to an early exit. Senegal won 2-1 after a defensive error gifted the African champion the lead. Striker Boulaye Dia drilled in that first goal after Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi tried

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Friday’s game between the Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche has been postponed because of a water main break that has soaked the arena in downtown Nashville. The NHL says the water main break has “significantly impacted the event level” of Bridgestone Arena. Team locker rooms and the ice surface are

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Brazil says Neymar will miss Brazil’s second World Cup match but will remain with the squad undergoing treatment for his ankle injury. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar says tests conducted on his right ankle showed that Neymar has a ligament injury and will not be fit

By GERALD IMRAY AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Senegal has sent host Qatar to another loss at the World Cup and closer to an early exit. Senegal won 2-1 after a defensive error gifted the African champion the lead. Striker Boulaye Dia drilled in that first goal after Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi tried

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Argentina is without Diego Maradona on soccer’s biggest stage for the first time since the 1978 World Cup. The team could use him more than ever as the South American team is off to a rocky start at the tournament. Friday marked the second anniversary

By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Saudi Arabia shocked Lionel Messi’s Argentina in one of the biggest World Cup upsets. The Green Falcons now turn their attention to Robert Lewandowski and his Poland team on Saturday. Saudi Arabia is the second lowest-ranked team in the tournament. It could even book

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Playing for Belgium at the World Cup feels a lot different to Kevin De Bruyne than playing for Manchester City in the Premier League. De Bruyne’s temper flared at times during Belgium’s underwhelming first performance at the World Cup. He showed his disgust toward teammates

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — This World Cup will be a special one for Argentina no matter what happens on the field. It is likely to be the last World Cup for Lionel Messi and it is also the first without Diego Maradona following his death exactly two years ago.

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund striker Sébastien Haller has undergone a second operation for the testicular cancer that has kept him sidelined this season. Haller says on Twitter that “Operation number 2 went well!” The 28-year-old Haller joined Dortmund from Ajax for 31 million euros in July but had to leave a preseason training

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Brazil star Neymar has undergone tests and is receiving treatment at the team’s hotel after injuring his right ankle in the team’s 2-0 defeat of Serbia in their World Cup opener. The team did not give any detail on the extent of his injury on

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman and four-time Pro Bowl tackle Andrew Whitworth have made a smooth transition straight from the field to the studio this season, joining Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and host Charissa Thompson on Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — From the sidelines at Real Madrid to one of the most important players with Spain at the World Cup. It’s been a nice turnaround for forward Marco Asensio. The forward has been relegated to a secondary role at Real Madrid under coach Carlo Ancelotti. But

By ISABEL DEBRE and CIARÁN FAHEY Associated Press AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Tensions ran high at Iran’s second match at the World Cup on Friday as fans supporting the Iranian government harassed those protesting against it and stadium security seized flags, T-shirts and other items expressing support for the protest movement that has gripped