July 9, 2026 4:26 am
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The World Cup has narrowed to eight teams, with six from Europe. Unless Morocco surprises everyone, the champion will be from Europe or South America as usual. Historically, 12 champions have come from Europe and 10 from South America. North America is hosting this year and had high hopes with the U.S., Mexico, and Canada but all were eliminated before the quarterfinals. Africa’s hopes now rest on Morocco. Despite some close matches, African teams also made early exits. The tournament continues to show dominance by traditional soccer powerhouses.
July 8, 2026 4:24 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn blasted three home runs and set a franchise record with 10 RBIs as the Pirates drilled Atlanta 12-4. The first baseman hit his third career grand slam in the first inning and added three-run shots in the third and the sixth as Pittsburgh ran its winning streak to three. O’Hearn’s historic performance helped Pirates ace Paul Skenes pick up his first win in nearly two months. The reigning National League Cy Young winner allowed two runs in six innings to notch his first victory since May 12. The NL East-leading Braves have dropped three straight.
July 8, 2026 4:27 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Pitchers Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski and Max Meyer have been ruled out of next week’s All-Star Game. They were replaced Tuesday by Riley O’Brien of St. Louis, Philadelphia’s Jesus Luzardo and Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft. Also, Boston first baseman Willson Contreras was selected as a replacement for Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is opting to rest his ailing back during the break. Skenes, Misiorowski and Meyer are scheduled to start their teams’ final games before the break on Sunday. All three replacement pitchers are All-Stars for the first time. Contreras is now a four-time All-Star.
July 8, 2026 4:25 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin is back on the injured list. The club says the 20-year-old is expected to miss at least two months due to an injury to the knuckle of the ring finger on his left hand. Griffin sustained the injury while making a diving grab in a victory over Washington on Sunday. Griffin has been a standout for the Pirates this season, hitting .276 with five homers and 20 stolen bases in 59 games. Jared Triolo will fill in at shortstop. Pittsburgh called up infielder Jack Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Griffin’s spot on the roster.
July 8, 2026 4:28 am
ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi did it yet again at this year’s World Cup. The Argentina great scored once while inspiring his team to an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt despite trailing by two goals with only 11 minutes to play. The defending champions will next face either Switzerland or Colombia in quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. Messi, who was in tears after the final whistle, scored his eighth goal of this year’s tournament in the 83rd minute to level the score at 2-2. It was his record-extending 21st at the World Cup. Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
July 7, 2026 4:43 pm
The Pirates will be without rookie Konnor Griffin for the next several weeks. The shortstop has reportedly torn a tendon in his left ring finger that is sending him back on the injured list, this time, for eight to ten weeks. Griffin recently returned after spraining his right arm last month. According to reports, his finger is likely to be splinted for six of those weeks.
July 7, 2026 4:24 am
SEATTLE (AP) — The United States’ hopes for a deep World Cup run at home ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the Americans’ defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night that earned a quarterfinal berth. While the U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals and a gaffe by goalkeeper Matt Freese gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half. Romelu Lukaku added Belgium’s final goal in stoppage time.
July 7, 2026 4:28 am
SEATTLE (AP) — Folarin Balogun’s presence on the field for the United States against Belgium had a seismic impact on the world of soccer, but he ultimately played a forgettable role in the Americans’ 4-1 loss in the World Cup round of 16. The 25-year-old striker, who had three goals in this World Cup, was shown a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA lifted his suspension for Monday’s match after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on Balogun’s behalf. FIFA’s decision prompted soccer leaders to question the integrity of the World Cup. Balogun did not score on Monday but did help set up the lone U.S. goal.
July 7, 2026 4:26 am
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres. Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will play Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California.
July 6, 2026 4:23 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Konnor Griffin had a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Washington Nationals 11-5 in a game in which he was also spectacular in the field. Brandon Lowe followed Griffin’s key hit with a three-run homer off Brad Lord to extend the margin. Griffin, the 20-year-old shortstop who received a nine-year, $140 million contract back in April, showed why the Pirates view him as such an important part of their future. Gregory Soto got the win in relief.
