Lionel Messi Gives Argentina the Goal It Desperately Needed Against Mexico

On Soccer Lionel Messi scoring the go-ahead goal against Mexico on Saturday.Credit…Claudio Villa/Getty Images LUSAIL, Qatar — As he wrapped Enzo Fernández tightly in his arms, Lionel Messi could not help it. His Argentina teammates were screaming, full pelt, toward them. At their back, the stands were melting into a writhing, bubbling soup of sky […]

Senegal Storms Back to Advance in World Cup; Netherlands Wins the Group

Nov. 29, 2022, 8:55 a.m. ET Nov. 29, 2022, 8:55 a.m. ET West Germany and Austria in the 1982 World Cup in Gijón, Spain.Credit…Popperfoto, via Getty Images For eight straight days, the soccer smorgasbord that is the World Cup has unspooled at regular intervals, each match staggered to bestow it maximum importance, a full 90 […]

Ghana Beats South Korea in a Back-and-Forth Thriller; Brazil Takes the Stage

Nov. 28, 2022, 11:28 a.m. ET Nov. 28, 2022, 11:28 a.m. ET Crowd shots during World Cup matches show maskless fans packed tightly together. It is a sharp contrast to daily life in China. Credit…Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images In Qatar, the maskless fans at the World Cup are joyfully screaming, packed elbow-to-elbow in crowded stadiums, seemingly […]

LBJ aids Russ as in sync pair keep Lakers rolling

SAN ANTONIO — Russell Westbrook had blood covering his face after taking a flagrant foul to his forehead when LeBron James intervened to pull the Los Angeles Lakers point guard away from the fray and cover the cut with a towel in the third quarter Saturday. It wasn’t the flashiest sequence the pair were involved […]

After Two Big Upsets, Canada Tries for a Third

Nov. 27, 2022, 4:26 a.m. ET Nov. 27, 2022, 4:26 a.m. ET Kevin De Bruyne’s assessment might have been blunt, but it is true. The world’s most creative midfielder has been in fairly forthright form in Qatar, expressing his own bafflement when he was awarded the player of the match award for a subdued display […]

Mac Jones hits Nelson Agholor for rare opening-drive Patriots score

MINNEAPOLIS — New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones came out firing in Thursday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. After the Patriots fell behind 7-0 on the Vikings’ opening drive, Jones let it rip, quickly putting together a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 34-yard strike over the middle to receiver Nelson Agholor. […]