Goals, technology and hydration breaks: How the biggest World Cup in history will be remembered
ATLANTA (AP) — The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina marks the end of the biggest tournament in history. On Sunday, a record 104 games will have been played across six weeks and three countries. The expanded 48-team format brought surprises, with Cape Verde, Congo, and Curaçao making headlines. Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup scorer. Video reviews sparked controversy, and high-tech balls led to disallowed goals. Despite high ticket prices, fans filled stadiums. Hydration breaks were unpopular, and Iran’s participation was politically charged. Former President Trump’s involvement raised questions about political interference.
Messi has work to catch Mbappé for the Golden Boot. A 3rd Golden Ball is in reach in World Cup final
Lionel Messi has quite a climb to catch Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot. The Argentina superstar has never been the leading scorer at the World Cup, and he’s now two behind Mbappé after the France striker upped his total to 10 goals in a wild third-place game. Even if Messi can’t get there, a record-extending third Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player seems within reach in Sunday’s final against Spain. The other awards to be presented Sunday are the Golden Glove for the top goalkeeper, and the Best Young Player Award, given to the top player 21 years old or younger.
The World Cup winner will earn $51 million under expanded purse
The winner of the World Cup will hoist a trophy, receive championship rings for the first time and gain a lifetime of glory in what will be a defining moment in the country’s sports history. It’ll also lead to a significant payday. The World Cup winner earns $51 million. The second prize is $34 million. FIFA expanded the payout for the 2026 World Cup, setting a record with a combined $871 million paid to the 48 participating teams. That tally includes more than $100 million that was added in April after some federations in Europe lobbied for help to cover costs at a tournament across three countries that has required extensive travel and lodging costs.
Kylian Mbappé passes Lionel Messi for career World Cup scoring record with 22 goals
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé moved past Lionel Messi for the career World Cup scoring record with 22 goals, scoring twice for France in a 6-4 loss to England in the third-place match. Mbappé finished this World Cup with 10 goals, two more than Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, which is awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Should he remain ahead of Messi after Argentina plays Spain in Sunday’s final, he would become the first player to win the Golden Boot twice. His second goal Saturday was a left-footed strike from about 14 yards in the 66th minute to pass Messi’s career mark of 21 goals.
At the British Open, the best content is the claret jug
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — The British Open has felt more like “The Bryson DeChambeau Show” at Royal Birkdale, and he was four shots out of the lead to start the final round. DeChambeau loves to produce content and there has been plenty of that this week, from answering his critics to protesting his two-shot penalty. The final round has started with Sam Burns leading by two shots and Cameron Young and Scotting Scheffler already trying to make up ground. The best content of all is a shiny claret jug that goes to the winner.
Kimi Antonelli wins Belgian Grand Prix for a big F1 title boost after George Russell out
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Kimi Antonelli has seen off a challenge from Charles Leclerc to get back to winning ways at the Belgian Grand Prix as his teammate and Formula 1 title rival George Russell failed to finish. Antonelli started on pole but lost the lead to Leclerc when a virtual safety car slowdown allowed the Ferrari driver to save time during his pit stop. Antonelli sped back past Leclerc with 10 laps remaining and cruised from there to his sixth win of the season. Leclerc was second and Max Verstappen was third after briefly taking, then losing, the lead from Antonelli on the opening lap.
DeChambeau feels the love from fans at the British Open and stays in contention for claret jug
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau enjoyed overwhelmingly positive support from the galleries at Royal Birkdale the day after his heated brush with officials and subsequent two-shot penalty at the British Open. DeChambeau high-fived a line of spectators, accepted a request for a selfie with a kid and then stopped to fist-bump a fan after leaving the driving range for his third round. Shouts of “We love you Bryson” and “Go Bryson” followed him to the first tee, where fans cheered and whooped when he was introduced by the starter. There was the odd jibe from the deep galleries but it’s clear he remains a popular figure among golf fans.
Saka’s hat trick lifts England past Mbappé and France 6-4 in wild World Cup third-place game
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Bukayo Saka scored three goals to lead England to a 6-4 win over France for third place in the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi’s career World Cup scoring record and took the lead in the Golden Boot race with a pair of second-half goals. It was the highest-scoring World Cup game since Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1 in 1982, and the 10 goals were the most in a third-place match. Saka had goals in the 37th minute and first-half stoppage time, then added his third on a penalty in the 87th for his second career hat trick with England.
The World Cup final awaits, with Messi and defending champion Argentina set to face Spain
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Lionel Messi rarely loses. Spain never loses. That’s been how things have worked in recent years, anyway. Soccer’s best player and soccer’s dominant team are set to collide Sunday in a World Cup final worthy of the sport’s grandest stage. Messi and Argentina will face a Spain squad that is unbeaten in 37 consecutive matches going back to early 2024. For Spain, it’s a chance at a second World Cup title to go along with the one from 2010. For Argentina, it’s a chance to become the first back-to-back men’s World Cup champion since Pele and Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.
Ryan Fox matches major championship record with a 62 in the British Open
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Ryan Fox has joined the list of players with a major championship scoring record. He became the third player this week to shoot a record-tying 62 at the British Open at Royal Birkdale. Fox started early with minimal wind and took advantage. He made five birdies on the front nine and birdied two of his last three holes. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns also shot 62 on Friday. There have now been eight rounds of 62 in major championship history, with half of them at Royal Birkdale. Branden Grace first set the record there in 2017.