DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi begins his legacy-defining World Cup with a game against likely the weakest opponent the Argentina star will face in Qatar. On a 36-match unbeaten run, Argentina opens the group stage Tuesday against Saudi Arabia — the second lowest-ranked team at the tournament.
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa says people still come up to him on the street to gush about his performance in the 2014 World Cup against Brazil. Ochoa made six saves in the scoreless draw with Brazil, which was among the favorites as the tournament’s host.
Some things to watch during Week 12 in the Big 12 Conference: GAME OF THE WEEK No. 4 TCU (10-0, 7-0 Big 12, No.
Less than a year ago, fans across the Southeastern Conference were mocking new LSU coach Brian Kelly for trying to talk Southern. No one’s laughing now.
No. 1 Georgia (10-0 7-0, No. 1 CFP) at Kentucky (64, 3-4) The final SEC game for both teams has lost much of its luster. The Bulldogs have already clinched a spot against No. 6 LSU in the league championship game. The Wildcats have fallen from a No. 7 ranking to a team that’s coming off a loss to Vanderbilt. Georgia has won the last 12 meetings and hasn’t lost in Lexington since falling 1310 in 2006. Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett has played well enough to be considered a longshot Heisman Trophy candidate while Kentucky’s Will Levis is regarded as a potential first-round NFL draft pick. It’s one of only four SEC matchups, including No. 5 Tennessee at South Carolina, No. 14 Mississippi at Arkansas and Florida at Vanderbilt.
Former big league outfielder Will Venable was named Wednesday as associate manager on the staff of new Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. The Rangers didn’t immediately specify what responsibilities Venable would have with that new title.
SAO PAULO (AP) — When Brazil coach Tite uttered the name of veteran Dani Alves in his call for the World Cup squad, reactions around the country spanned from anger to disappointment. The Brazil coach, who has faced little criticism in his six years on the job, described his pick in a paused, not-so-confident tone.
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco has added winger Anass Zaroury to its World Cup squad to replace the injured Amine Harit. The Moroccan team announced late Wednesday that Zaroury was replacing midfielder Harit, who was taken off the field by stretcher with a left knee injury on Sunday playing in the French league for Marseille.
The World Cup will sound different this year. Jacqui Oatley will become the first woman play-by-play commentator for U.S.
TOKYO (AP) — The new Toyota gas-electric Prius hybrid not only comes with more power, acceleration and driving range. It’s also more stylish, scrapping the rather stodgy angular body for a sleekly futuristic look.