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Argentina returning to World Cup final

ATLANTA — No “Hand of God” this time. Argentina didn’t need it. Instead it was the hallowed feet of Lionel Messi and the unbreakable spirit of a team that has repeatedly fought back at this year’s World Cup that is now one step away from back-to-back titles. Trailing 1-0 going into ...

Expanded MLB playoffs affect possible deals

PHILADELPHIA — Expanded playoffs make it harder to predict whether Tarik Skubal and other choice acquisitions will be dealt before the Aug, 3 trade deadline. Twenty-three of the 30 teams are within four games of a playoff position heading into the season’s second half, which opens Thursday with the back-in-contention Philadelphia Phillies hosting the woeful New York Mets. “You’ve got a lot of really good teams that were on the bubble that have gotten in and kind of made it,” Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said. “Anybody that has an opportunity to get in, anything can ...

Sports at a glance: Devils sign ex-Penguin

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils signed winger Anthony Mantha to a two-year, $9.5 million contract, the team announced Wednesday. He will count $4.75 million against the salary cap through 2027-28. The Quebec native is coming off a breakout season with Pittsburgh in which he set career highs with 33 goals, 31 assists and 64 points. Mantha, who turns 32, in September is nearly two years removed from tearing the ACL in his right knee and beginning a lengthy rehab process. Wimbledon ratings up LONDON — Helped by some mid-match drama, the Wimbledon final between Linda Noskova and ...

Jaxon Smith-Njigba voted top wide receiver

Jaxon Smith-Njigba won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award and the Super Bowl last season before the Seattle Seahawks gave him the biggest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history. No surprise he was voted the NFL’s top wideout by The Associated Press in a preseason ...

AL pitchers shut down NL

PHILADELPHIA — Dylan Cease struck out the side in the first inning, combining with 10 relievers on a three-hitter in a show of pitching dominance that led the American League to a 4-0 win over the National League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. All-Star MVP Cody Bellinger hit a two-run ...

Spain shuts down France, advances to World Cup final

ARLINGTON, Texas — Spain’s defensive prowess and swagger were just too much for an attacking trio led by France great Kylian Mbappé, and just enough to get the 2010 champions into another World Cup final. The Spanish team managed a record sixth shutout in seven games so far, winning 2-0 ...