WJPA Sports

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Yasin Ayari scored twice and Sweden showed it belonged at the 2026 World Cup, pounding Tunisia 5-1 to move atop Group F. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres each had a goal and an assist, and Mattias Svanberg also scored for Sweden, which entered ranked 39th in the world and missed the 2022 World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals eight years ago in Russia. Omar Rekik scored for 45th-ranked Tunisia, which is playing in its seventh World Cup but has never advanced beyond the group stage. Ayari bookended the scoring for the Swedes at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, with long-range goals in the seventh minute and in second-half stoppage time.

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Denny Hamlin is still planning to retire at the end of next season but won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway for his third consecutive victory. That moves him past the late Kyle Busch for ninth on the all-time wins list. Hamlin is the oldest full-time driver in NASCAR’s Cup Series at 45. He now has 64 career victories. Despite his success, including four wins this season, he remains firm on retiring when his deal with Joe Gibbs expires in 2027. Tyler Reddick finished second, and William Byron was third. NASCAR’s next event is a street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup championship in 20 years on Sunday night, using a suffocating defense in Game 6 to shut down the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 and winning three straight games of a thrilling final filled with momentum swings and spectacular offense. Brandon Bussi, who entrance late into Game 3 helped turn around the series, recorded his first career playoff shutout in stopping 22 shots. Jackson Blake backed him up with a goal and assist, and Taylor Hall scored just 3:47 into the game to set the tone. Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal.

The Marlins took two out of three from the Pirates with a 4-2 win Sunday afternoon. Pitcher Max Meyer allowed just one run in six innings.  Paul Skenes took the loss for the Pirates. The Pirates will be on the road for a three-game series against the Athletics. Jared Jones will get the start tonight. The game will be available on 1450 AM at 9:15 PM.