Mexico see off Ecuador to break 40-year World Cup curse

Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when it last hosted the tournament.

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Mbappe and Haaland fire France and Norway into World Cup last 16

Kylian Mbappe took his tally for the tournament to six goals, making him joint top-scorer alongside Lionel Messi.

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Naomi Osaka serves up a fashion slam at Wimbledon

Osaka, the 14th-seeded player and former world No. 1, did her walk-on in an all-white look by Hana Yagi, an independent Japanese designer, titled "Evolving Ceremony."

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Paraguay stuns Germany on penalties to reach World Cup last 16

For the Germans, who had a goal disallowed in extra time, ​it was a bitter defeat and the first time they lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup.

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Japan pays price again for retreating against Brazil

Considering its World Cup debut was 1998, Japan has done incredibly well to assert itself as Asia's preeminent soccer behemoth, but it has always missed that one final touch.

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Stephen Eustaquio scores dramatic goal in stoppage time as Canada reaches last 16

Canada will ​next face either the Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston for a place in the quarterfinals.

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Hajime Moriyasu to pick Japan’s penalty takers if clash with Brazil goes to shootout

Takefusa Kubo will not play after picking up an injury in the group stage.

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Heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk gave hope to Ukrainians through boxing triumphs

Usyk has been undisputed world champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight and boasts an unblemished record of 25 victories — including 16 knockouts — in as many fights.

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Brazil and Japan head into World Cup clash looking to settle old scores

The fixture also carries a deeper historical thread, as Brazil has long been a reference point for Japanese soccer, a relationship embodied by former Japan manager Zico.

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Japan embrace ‘underdog mentality’ for World Cup clash against Brazil

Japan, considered by some to be an outsider to go far at the tournament in North America, beat Carlo Ancelotti's side 3-2 in a home friendly in October.

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Naomi Osaka retires from Bad Homburg final due to injury days before Wimbledon

The Japanese No. 6 seed battled through an ankle injury in the first set but signaled she would be unable to continue one game into the second set.

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Brazil’s Rayan cramming for Japan test in World Cup knockout stage

The five-time champion faces the Asian side in the round of 32 in Houston on Monday.

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FIFA will allow rainbow flags at Egypt vs. Iran match at World Cup

Both countries' federations have stated objections to the so-called Pride Match.

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Japan advances to World Cup knockout stage after draw with Sweden

Japan faces Brazil in the round of 32 on Monday in ​Houston.

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Spotlight shines on Aryna Sabalenka’s mental struggles ahead of Wimbledon

Gustavo Granitto, an International Tennis ⁠Federation coach, said Sabalenka's competitive ​drive sometimes blurred her decision-making.

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Remembering the wrestlers who rarely make the headlines

The quiet retirement of Tsurugisho is a reminder that sumo's rank-and-file veterans deserve more recognition for the pain, sacrifice and resilience their careers demand.

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Wizards pick AJ Dybantsa No. 1 overall in NBA draft

The Wizards tabbed Dybantsa ⁠over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who had a checkered college season at Kansas. The Utah Jazz then selected Peterson second overall.

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Former Wimbledon champion Vondrousova gets four-year ban for refusing drug test

Marketa Vondrousova's suspension will end on June 21, 2030, when ​the two-time Grand Slam finalist from the Czech Republic ‌will be ‌30 years old.

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Boy’s speech inspires Samurai Blue at World Cup

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu said he "almost cried" when he realized that his team's efforts were encouraging children living far from Japan.

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Lamine Yamal-inspired Spain cruises past Saudi Arabia

Spain leads the group with four points in the standings while Saudi Arabia has one.

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