Argentina once again showcased their relentless spirit and resilience by overcoming England in a gripping World Cup semifinal clash on Wednesday in Atlanta. The match, which seemed destined to end England's hopes of a first World Cup final appearance in 60 years, instead saw the defending champions, Argentina, preserve their title defense and advance to the final, thanks largely to the brilliance of Lionel Messi.
The first half was a scrappy and physical affair, resembling more of a wrestling match than a soccer game. Both teams committed a combined total of ten fouls and failed to register a single shot by the first hydration break, illustrating the tension and cautiousness on display. However, as the match progressed into the second half, the intensity and drama escalated.
England took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, who finished with precision to give the Three Lions an advantage. While an early lead might seem beneficial, England's approach following the goal raised questions. Manager Thomas Tuchel's side appeared to adopt a defensive posture, "parking the bus" and aiming to protect their lead rather than continuing to attack. This strategy, in hindsight, may have been a critical error against a team like Argentina, known for their tenacity and never-say-die attitude.
As the clock ticked down, Argentina launched relentless attacks, determined to overturn the deficit. Their perseverance paid off in the 85th minute when Enzo Fernández unleashed a powerful strike, equalizing the match and reigniting their hopes. Just seven minutes later, Lautaro Martínez rose to meet a cross with a header that sealed England's fate and sent Argentina through to the final.
Central to Argentina's success was Lionel Messi, who provided assists for both crucial goals. Messi's vision and creativity once again proved decisive, reinforcing his status as one of the game's all-time greats. The victory was emblematic of Argentina's tournament journey, which has been defined by grit, resilience, and an uncanny ability to prevail in high-pressure moments.
Argentina's path to the final this year has been unusual and remarkable. In all four knockout matches-against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England-they have secured victories despite not leading after regulation time. This pattern highlights a team that refuses to be written off, a squad that thrives under pressure and finds ways to win when it matters most. Their ability to stage comebacks has become almost mythical, cementing their identity as a uniquely formidable force in World Cup history.
The result was a bitter disappointment for England, whose tradition of heartbreaking losses in major tournaments continues. Statistically, England is the only team this century to score first in a World Cup semifinal and still fail to advance-and they have done so twice. This defeat extends the nation's long wait for a World Cup final appearance and underscores the cruel nature of knockout football.
Looking ahead, the World Cup final promises a compelling showdown between Argentina and Spain. The matchup is steeped in narrative significance, pitting reigning World Cup champions against the European champions. The spotlight will be on Messi and Spain's prodigious talent Gavi Yamal, symbolizing a clash of generations and styles. This final, set for Sunday, is eagerly anticipated worldwide as a contest of footballing titans.
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Meanwhile, attention in golf turns to the Open Championship, which commenced early Wednesday morning at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England. A field of 156 golfers is competing for the prestigious Claret Jug, with several notable players drawing interest.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is among the favorites despite what some might call a "down year." Scheffler's form this season includes just one victory, back in January, and he recently missed his first cut in four years. Nevertheless, his consistent performance-with eight top-five finishes in 13 events-and leadership in total strokes gained on the PGA Tour have him favored to repeat. Scheffler himself acknowledged the difficulty of winning consistently, emphasizing the challenge before him.
Local favorite Tommy Fleetwood is also a golfer to watch. The Southport native is playing just minutes from his childhood home, where he had sneaked onto the course as a kid. Now ranked ninth in the world, Fleetwood enjoys robust support and is chasing his first major win. His quest to become the first English-born Open champion since Nick Faldo in 1992 adds extra intrigue.
Bryson DeChambeau, a player known for his unconventional methods and significant media presence-including his 2.8 million YouTube subscribers-has seen a rollercoaster career. Last year, he was a major contender with multiple top-10 finishes and a major victory. However, 2026 has been challenging, with missed cuts in all three majors so far, edging him toward an unwanted record as the only multiple-major winner under 40 to miss all four cuts in a single season. Golf analysts have been critical, reflecting on the contrast between DeChambeau's current form and his earlier promise.
Notably absent from Royal Birkdale are legends Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Their absence marks the first time since 1989 that neither has appeared in a major championship, highlighting a significant turning point in the sport's history and signaling the end of an era.
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In baseball, the stage is set for a potential labor dispute as Major League Baseball (MLB) and the players' union prepare for contentious collective bargaining negotiations. On Tuesday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB Players Association (MLBPA) interim executive director Bruce Meyer held separate sessions with the Baseball Writers' Association of America, revealing starkly contrasting views on the state of the game and the future of labor relations.
At the heart of the conflict is the league's push to implement a salary cap, which the union has opposed throughout its existence. This issue is widely expected to lead to a prolonged work stoppage when the current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1.
Meyer highlighted positive signs in the sport, citing record attendance, high television ratings, growing worldwide interest, and a resurgence among youth demographics. He criticized the league's messaging, suggesting that MLB is trying to convince fans that a product performing well is somehow broken, thereby justifying drastic changes like a salary cap.
Manfred, on the other hand, argued that fans-particularly in smaller markets-desire competitive balance, which a salary cap could help achieve. He emphasized the importance of players developed and signed by smaller-market teams being able to remain with those teams, a point critics note has not been consistently reflected in reality for many players.
The separate media sessions underscored the deep divisions between league and union, with neither side showing willingness to compromise. The tenor of the discussions pointed toward a difficult negotiation period ahead, potentially resulting in MLB's longest work stoppage since the 1994 strike. This labor uncertainty looms over the sport as fans and stakeholders brace for a challenging offseason.
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On the collectibles front, the sports card market is making headlines with a record-breaking sale. Fanatics Collect brokered a private sale of Shohei Ohtani's 2018 Bowman Chrome Superfractor card for $3,365,000, the highest price ever paid for an Ohtani card and the second multi-million-dollar Ohtani sale in the past month. The sale coincided with a notable anniversary in sports card history.
July 15 marks the date in 2000 when the first million-dollar sports card was sold: a T206 Honus Wagner card that fetched $1.265 million in an eBay auction. That card, once owned by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, was also the first to be graded by PSA, the industry's leading card grading company.
Since then, million-dollar sales have become increasingly common. In 2026 alone, there have been 25 sports card sales exceeding $1 million, a pace that could reach 41 by year's end. This would match the boom years of 2021 and 2022 and indicate a strong market recovery from the post-pandemic slump. The high prices reflect sports collectibles' growing cultural and financial significance, as their physical scarcity offers value in a digital age, attracting collectors, investors, and institutions alike.
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Additional sports updates include the return of Major League Soccer (MLS) after a seven-week summer break. The league resumes with a four-game slate, headlined by a matchup between first-place Vancouver and third-place Chicago. Regional rivalries Montréal vs. Toronto, St. Louis vs. Kansas City, and Seattle vs. Portland also feature on the schedule, all available on Apple TV.
In Major League Baseball, the second half of the season kicks off with the Philadelphia Phillies hosting the New York Mets in an NL East showdown. The Mets, once projected with strong playoff odds, have struggled to a 40-57 record, while the Phillies have rebounded impressively since a poor start and now have one of the best playoff chances in the National League.
The WNBA continues its season with a key contest between the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings. While Dallas has won five straight games, New York has lost three, setting up a clash between teams on divergent trajectories.
In cycling, the Tour de France saw Norway's Søren Wærenskjold win Stage 11, setting a new record for the fastest road stage in Tour history with an average speed of 50.91 km/h (31.6 mph). Only two other Tour stages have surpassed the 50 km/h mark, making this a rare and remarkable achievement.
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Finally, a sports trivia challenge was posed: Can you name all six MLB division leaders and the six wild cards without looking? The answer is as follows:
Division leaders: Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers.
Wild cards: New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins.
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This edition of Yahoo Sports AM provided a comprehensive update on major sports stories, from World Cup soccer drama to golf's Open Championship, baseball's labor tensions, and record-setting moments in the Tour de France and sports collectibles. For daily sports news delivered straight to your inbox each weekday morning, consider subscribing to Yahoo Sports AM.