Sports

Messi can conjure no more magic as crown passes from Argentina to Spain

National Sports July 21, 2026

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Lionel Messi could conjure no more magic. Twenty years after his World Cup debut and a career that lifted him above Pelé and Diego Maradona as soccer's greatest player, at 39 he could not will Argentina to become the first repeat champion in more than a half-century. Spain outplayed the Albiceleste from the opening whistle at MetLife Stadium, where the overwhelming majority of 80,663 were hoping for a recoronation. Ferran Torres scored 37 seconds into the second extra-time period, lifting Spain to a 1-0 victory and its second World Cup title. Instead of ...

Contreras' 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th gives Brewers 3-1 win over Marlins

National Sports July 21, 2026

MILWAUKEE — William Contreras hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth off closer Pete Fairbanks to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Fairbanks (3-4) was trying to protect a one-run lead, and instead ended up with his third blown save that extended Miami's losing streak to a season-high six games. In the last of the ninth, Jackson Chourio singled. Brice Turang walked. With one out, Contreras, who pinch hit for Jake Bauers in the seventh, connected on a 1-2 pitch for his 10th home run of the season and second career walk-off ...

Spain wins the World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 on Ferran Torres' goal in extra time

National Sports July 21, 2026

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — This is how good Spain was at the World Cup: Not even Lionel Messi had any answers. And when it was over, Spain walked off with the trophy. Messi simply walked off in tears. Spain is back atop the soccer world for a second time, after Ferran Torres' first goal of ...

Michigan AD Warde Manuel agrees to buyout, will step down at end of 2026

Michigan Sports July 21, 2026

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan and embattled athletic director Warde Manuel have agreed to a buyout of the remaining years on his contract and he will step down at the end of the year, culminating a decade-long run with four national championships and a string of ...

Joey Logano ends victory drought in NASCAR points return to North Wilkesboro

National Sports July 21, 2026

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — The drought is over for Joey Logano. Logano snapped a 45-race winless streak Sunday night with a dominant victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the first points race at the 0.625-mile track in 30 years. After Logano wrapped up a lengthy on-track burnout, Denny ...

Ryan Fox wins the British Open with a birdie on the final hole

National Sports July 21, 2026

SOUTHPORT, England — The hard work for Ryan Fox was just getting to the 18th hole in the British Open with a share of the lead. Still to come was the toughest hole at Royal Birkdale, which had yielded only four birdies to the 76 players who had already come through Sunday. For a ...