SPORTS SECTION E
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026
WORLD CUP - PAGE 8
‘VJ’ stays with 76ers, Ayton traded to Wizards !"#!963$#8$5!!8 A%+&B#8C)0-(#6.+-)0 =,:?==,Q:'2=?*+4+<2)5*+: WHILE Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe will continue in the resurgence of the Philadelphia 76ers, Deandre Ayton is out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ reconfiguration of their line up in the National Basketball Association. The Bahamian duo were caught in the middle of the NBA's Free Agency last week as the landscape of a number of teams are changing before the 2026-2027 season gets underway in October. The Sixers traded veteran Paul George, two first round picks and two second round picks to the rivalled Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster deal on the opening day of free agency on July 1, sending shock waves in the NBA.
Bahamas to face Puerto Rico tonight in the FIBA Americas 2027 World Cup Qualifying Tournament Philadelphia made the surprise move after Boston was unsuccessful in securing a deal for the Milwaukee Bucks' forward Giannis Antetokounmpo who was sent to the Miami Heat along with forward Bobby Portis. With the move, Brown will team up with centre Joel Embiid, all-star guard Tyrese Maxey and Edgecombe, who is coming off a sensational rookie season that ended with the 76ers making it to the semifinals of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Edgecombe, the 20-yearold third pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after spending
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his freshman year with the Baylor Bears, got the news while he was in
training camp with The Bahamas men's national team for their pair of games
this weekend in the final window of the first round of the FIBA Americas 2027 World Cup Qualifying Tournament at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The Bimini native put on a spectacular show on Friday night (see the full story on page 6) with a game-high 26 points, including hitting 6-of-10 of his three-pointers, to go along with nine rebounds, four steals and three assists as the Bahamas routed Jamaica 123-74 before a jammed-packed crowd. When asked after the game, Edgecombe said he was thrilled to have Brown join their squad and
he's looking forward to playing with the MVP, who led the Celtics to their 18th NBA championship title in 2024. "I like it. He's a winner. He plays hard. He's a leader and so I'm looking forward to getting out there and hooping with him," said Edgecombe about Brown. Since the trade, Edgecombe said he had a chance to contact Brown. "We had a little conversation with him. He showed some love while checking in and I was checking in with him, welcoming him to the team and stuff like that," Edgecombe said.
SEE FIBA, Page 2
Devynne Charlton settles for third in the hurdles at the Wanda Diamond League !"#!963$#8$5!!8 A%+&B#8C)0-(#6.+-)0 =,:?==,Q:'2=?*+4+<2)5*+: WORLD indoor 60 metres hurdles champion and record holder Devynne Charlton found herself right in the thick of things in a hotly contested women's 100m hurdles at the Wanda Diamond League on Saturday. With its first meet being hosted in the United States at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, Charlton battled through the first eight hurdles with her American training partner Masai Russell. But Russell, the Olympic
champion and world leader, managed to surge ahead to take the tape in 12.24 seconds to tie the meet record that was set by former American world record holder Kendra Harrison in 2016. As Russell pulled away for the win, Nigeria's Tobi Amusan battled back to sneak into second place in 12.34, leaving Charlton in a photo finish for third with American Grace Stack, both timed at 12.41. Two of Jamaica's top competitors, Danielle Williams and Ackera Nugent, were fifth and sixth in 12.51 and 12.63 respectively, while three Americans, including
Harrison (eighth in 12.66) rounded out the field. Tonea Marshall got seventh in 12.65 and Alaysha Johnson was ninth in 12.86. With this being the fifth of eight meets for the year, Charlton is now sitting in third place in the Diamond League standings with 19 points. Amusan tops the list with 28, followed by Russell with 24. Jamaica's Megan Simmonds, another training partner of Charlton and Russell, didn't compete in the meet. The only other Bahamian in the Diamond League ranking is Olympic and world women's 400m
champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who controls the 200 metres with 19 points, followed closely by American Anavia Battle with 19 and Jamaican Shericka Jackson in third with 16. Miller-Uibo is The Bahamas' most decorated competitor in Diamond League history, having won the 200m title three consecutive years from 2017-2019 and the 400m in 2017 as the first double champion. The Wanda Diamond League is an annual series of elite track and field competitions in 15 disciplines to earn points throughout the year, culminating with the finals in Brussels, Belgium,
over the weekend of September 4-5. The Wanda Diamond League offers a record total of $9.24 million in prize money. The total prize money awarded per meeting will be $500,000 at each of the 14 regular series meetings, and $2.24 million at the Wanda Diamond League Final. The prize money per discipline will be between $30,000 and $40,000 at the series meetings and between $60,000 and $100,000 at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on September 4-5.
Nairn victorious in Barbados At the Barbados Grand Prix at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex in St Michael, Barbados, Laquan Nairn cleared 25-feet or 7.62 metres to win the men's long jump. Nikaoli Williams cleared the same distance for second place. Nairn was coming off his loss at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' Senior and Junior Nationals, held two weeks ago at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. He is the defending Commonwealth Games' champion.
Jonquel has double ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr exits game double to help Liberty against Twins with toe injury beat Lynx 99-86 !"#7'99:#;76<8=69# '(()*+,-&.#/0&((
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NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees second baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr left yesterday’s game against the Minnesota Twins after the fifth inning because of right big toe discomfort. Chisholm was examined by team physician Dr Christopher Ahmad and X-rays were negative. He will get re-evaluated before the opener of a four-game series at Tampa Bay today. Chisholm fouled off a pitch from Joe Ryan in the fifth and winced on the swing. After taking a timeout, Chisholm hit a fly ball to right field on the next pitch. José Caballero moved over from third base to second and Amed Rosario entered the game at third base. Chisholm singled in the second inning but was picked off during a rundown on the next pitch during an at-bat by Max Schuemann. An All-Star last year, Chisholm is batting .225 with 12 homers and 33
NEW YORK (AP) — Breanna Stewart scored 36 points, Jonquel Jones had a double double and the New York Liberty beat Minnesota 99-86 on Friday night, spoiling Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve’s first attempt to become the WNBA’s career wins leader. Reeve is tied with Mike Thibault at 379 regular-season victories. Her next chance will be tonight when the Lynx host Chicago. New York (13-8), which won the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday, wasn’t about to let history occur on Friday night. Stewart got the team going early then Jones and Sabrina Ionescu took over. Jones finished with a double double - 14 points and 15 rebounds - and Ionescu had 17 points. Jones also contributed five assists and two steals. Minnesota (15-5) led 47-46 with 3:32 left in the half before the Liberty closed the second quarter on a 13-2 run. Jones got it started with a three-point play and Pauline Astier closed it with a running
!"#$%&'($%)*(++,-$.)//$012,1&34$.'56789$:'2+,$:&$);&2<$=+2*>$:)>>+<$&?:$=@$A2**+,&:)$ BC2*,-$D&@E+$F+C2,$6G89$<?'2*>$)$'?*<&C*$2*$:1+$,+E&*<$2**2*>$&H$)$=),+=)33$>)4+I$ J?*<)@I$.?3@$KI$GLGMI$2*$!+C$%&'(5$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$6NO$O1&:&P3),%#>#?@00,"9 RBIs in 85 games this season. In 2025, Chisholm hit .242 with career highs of 31 homers and 80 RBIs
along with 31 stolen bases in 130 games. On Monday, he exited New York’s 7-3 loss to Detroit following a
collision with right fielder Jasson Domínguez on a high pop-up by Hao-Yu Lee in the fourth inning.
1234567#12368 layup just before the entertaining first half ended with New York up 59-49. Stewart had 16 of her 18 points in the first half in the opening quarter. The Liberty put the game away with an early 7-3 run in the fourth that was capped by Jones’ 3-pointer which made it 85-68. The Lynx could only get within 12 the rest of the way. Kayla McBride led Minnesota with 18 points and Courtney Williams added 16.
PAGE 2, Monday, July 6, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Battle of Boca: Major Jr advances, Nottage and Watkins eliminated !"#!$%&'#(')!!( *+,-.#(/0123#%4,201 !"#$!!"%#&'!$()*)+',-()# WHILE they are still disappointed in the withdrawal of Team Bahamas from the prestigious Davis Cup competition, Michael Major Jr and Denali Nottage are making up for it in their international appearances. The top seeded Davis Cup duo, along with Queen's College high schooler Synaj Watkins, are playing in the Battle of Boca Special July 4 Edition Tournament at the Rick Macci Tennis & Fitness Center in Boca Raton, Florida. While Major Jr reached the quarterfinals of the men's singles yesterday, both Nottage and Watkins were eliminated. Major Jr, in pulling off a hard fought 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-8) victory over
American Rush Silvjanovski, said he had a very good performance so far. "I got a bye in the first round and I have won three matches since then," Major Jr said. "I feel like I am in good form. I am playing against some tough guys, but I feel like I'm doing a good job of managing it and just playing some solid tennis." The 20-year-old Major Jr, who is on summer break from Howard University where he is playing on the Bison men's tennis team and is studying sports medicine, said the competition is extremely tough. Two weeks ago, he played in another one of these tournaments where he lost in the third round, so he said it's good to get past that stage this time round. After his early exit in the last tournament, Major Jr
said he went back to prepare for this one and he was able to play much better to advance to the quarterfinal round today when he will take on American Felipe Pinzon. "I just need to go out there and play the tennis that I know how to,” said Major Jr, who had to get some medical attention after cramping up at the end of yesterday's match. Major Jr said it's good to go to a tournament where there are some other Bahamians participating, especially for him and Nottage after they were denied the opportunity to play in the Davis Cup competition. Nottage, 22, lost his round of 16 match to American Bullion Sharp 2-6, 6-2, 0-1 (4-10), but he admitted that he went out there and gave it his all. "I felt like it was
a match that I could have won with a few points here or there, but it just didn't happen," Nottage said. "But I still feel my game is headed in the right direction." In his opponent, Nottage said he faced a competitor with a big game with a big forehand. I just didn't play the tie breaker as I should have, but it is something for me to learn from." Nottage said he will take a break and return home to train before he goes back to his next Battle of Boca tournament in a few weeks. In the meantime, Nottage said it's always good to have local players like Major and Watkins playing in the same tournament. He said they motivate each other to play much better. But like Major Jr, Nottage said he too is
still disappointed that they didn't get to travel to Davis Cup. He said he still couldn't understand why The Bahamas was pulled from the competition, but he has decided to move on. The Battle of Boca tournaments, he said, has helped to keep him focused on his game. Even though he got eliminated yesterday, Nottage said he will use it as a learning experience as he looks ahead to the future. Before they got to the round of 16, Major Jr won 6-3, 2-1 over Mexican Juan Pablo Lopez in the round of 32, while Nottage pulled off a 6-4, 6-1 win over Juan Diego Argenal from Guatemala. After they both got a bye in the first round, Major Jr secured a 6-1, 6-1 win over American Gabriel Dattels and Nottage got by
American Anthony Chen 6-3, 6-1 in the round of 64. Watkins, on the other hand, was ousted by American Geoff Kosseifi 6-0, 6-0 in the round of 64 after he won his first match in the round of 128 with an identical 6-4, 6-4 decision over American Cole Zeeman. Nottage and Major Jr were expected to lead the charge for The Bahamas at the Davis Cup tie last month, but Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association's former president Perry Newton withdrew the country from the competition over a dispute with an interim board, headed by Marvin Rolle. The interim board has since removed Newton from the BLTA, but they were not able to have The Bahamas reinstated in time for the most prestigious team competition for the sport outside of the Olympics.
Bahamas to face Puerto Rico tonight in the FIBA Americas 2027 World Cup Qualifying Tournament FIBA, from Page 1 Ayton, 27, was originally named to the 24-man roster for the training camp, but didn’t attend and was not on the final 12-man roster when The Bahamas played Jamaica on Friday night. The Lakers, on the other hand, changed the complex of the team after LeBron James announced that he wanted to make his departure out of Los Angeles. On July 3, Ayton was traded to the Washington Wizards as the Lakers acquired Jaden Hardy and a second round pick in 2031 and 2032. The move came after the Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz as their new starting centre. Ayton joins the Wizards, whose coaching staff headed by Brian Keefe now includes former New York Knicks’ franchise player Patrick Ewing, who
previously served as an advisor and ambassador. Ewing will help to groom Ayton, along with their other big men, including Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis, who has been linked to trade rumours in a package with James. Looking back at his rookie season in which he played in 75 games, averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists, Edgecombe said it was great. “I had a lot of ups and downs, but that’s a part of basketball,” he said. “I got to play on the biggest stage in the world every night. I was just truly happy to be there.” As one of the future prospects to watch in the league, Edgecombe said he’s looking forward to having some fun this year and helping the 76ers to make another run for their first title since winning in 1983. The 76ers, coached by Nick Nurse, finished seventh in the Eastern
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onference with a 45-37 win-loss record After coming back from a 3-1 deficit, the 76ers managed to clinch a 4-2 series over the Celtics to snatch their first round showdown. However, the 76ers got swept 4-0 by the eventual champions Knicks in the second round. The Lakers, coached by JJ Redick, finished the Western Conference regular season in fourth place at 53-29. They advanced out of the first round with a 4-2 win over the Houston Rockets before they also got swept 4-0 by the
defending champions Oklahoma Thunder. As the starting 7-foot centre, Ayton, playing in his only season with the Lakers, averaged 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 0.8 assist per game. This was his third team he played for in the NBA, having played with the Phoenix Suns from 2018-23 and Portland Trail Blazersfrom 2023-25 with a career average of 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds in 470 games, 463 as a starter. Edgecombe and Ayton are two of four Bahamians still playing in the National
Basketball Association. Grand Bahamian native Chavano “Buddy” Hield, a 33-year-old in his 10th year in the league, remains with the Atlanta Hawks. The other is veteran guard Eric Gordon, 37, who is a free agent after he last played his 18th season with the 76ers. Edgecombe, Hield and Gordon are on The Bahamas’ 12-man roster currently playing in the FIBA World Cup Qualifier. After blowing out Jamaica, The Bahamas will face Puerto Rico in
their final game of the first round tonight at 7pm at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Against Jamaica, Hield scored 25 points with six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Gordon was the only player on the team who didn’t play. The Bahamas will close out play in the FIBA Qualifying Tournament tonight against Puerto Rico at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The Bahamas is sitting in second place in Group B with a 2-3 record behind the unbeaten Canada. Puerto Rico is in fourth at 1-4.
PAGE 6, Monday, July 6, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
FIBA Americas 2027 World Cup Qualifying Tournament
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TEAM Bahamas players celebrate their 123-74 rout over Jamaica on Friday night during the final window of the first round of the FIBA Americas 2027 World Cup Qualifying Tournament at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.
Bahamas routs Jamaica 123-74 in final window !"#$%&'()'&# !*++%,(./0123#-45.67#+345.63. !"#$$%&'( )$*"#+,-,.*/0+,) VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe delivered 26 points Friday night to lead The Bahamas to a convincing 123-74 victory over Jamaica, keeping the country’s hopes of reaching its first ever FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027 alive. The Bahamas entered the final window of the Americas Qualifiers needing victories to stay in contention after opening the campaign with a 1-3 record. The win moves the team to 2-3 in Group B and sets up a crucial matchup with Puerto Rico with a World Cup berth on the line. Playing before an energised home crowd at the Kendal GL Isaacs National Gymnasium, Team Bahamas took control early and never looked back. They held the lead for nearly the entire game and turned the game into a rout behind an explosive offensive performance especially from behind the arc with the team shooting a scorching 19 for 37 (51%). Edgecombe, making his second appearance for the senior national team in the Americas Qualifiers, shot 10 of 16 from the field (6 of 10 from behind the arc) while grabbing nine rebounds and collecting five steals. His all-around effort earned him the game’s highest efficiency rating of 32. “We got the win, but our work isn’t finished,” Edgecombe said. “Right now, it’s about getting ready for Puerto Rico, watching the film and making sure we’re prepared.” “He’s elite, I’m glad he’s on our team and I’m glad he’s a Bahamian and we need that same effort from him on Monday and more,” said Chavano “Buddy” Hield on Edgecombe's impact on the game. On the mindset heading into Monday's matchup against Puerto Rico, Edgecombe remained composed saying, “It's still 0-0, they have a really good team so we have to do our best to come out firing.” Hield also spoke on the mindset heading into tonight’s game. “The energy tonight was amazing but we need five times that come Monday and hopefully we come out with the win,” said Hield. “Puerto Rico is a great
team, they are very disciplined and well coached. They have a lot of history behind them particularly in big games but we just want to have fun and play our best basketball and play together.” Dominick Bridgewater finished with 23 points and six assists, followed by Franco Miller with 18 points and Hield with 15. Team Bahamas received production throughout the lineup, with five players finishing in double figures as the offence recorded one of its best outings of the qualifying campaign. The 123 points matched one of the highest scoring performances in the Americas Qualifiers.
Head coach Mikhail McLean said his players embraced the challenge but know the bigger goal is still ahead. “Our guys understood what this game meant,” McLean said. “VJ set the tone, but we know the mission isn’t complete. We still have to finish the job.” Edgecombe, who is coming off an impressive rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers, said wearing The Bahamas jersey carries special meaning every time he steps onto the court. “I love playing the game, and representing The Bahamas means everything to me,” he said. “Every time I wear this jersey I’m playing for my family, my
teammates and everyone back home.” Leano Rolle, cousin of Edgecombe, finished with seven points in eight minutes in his first ever outing playing for team Bahamas. “It was good man, coach put me in the game and I got to go out there and be myself,” said Rolle. On what it meant to wear The Bahamas across his chest, he said: “This means more than the name on the back of my jersey, to come out here and represent the country, this is beautiful.” With one game separating The Bahamas from an historic World Cup appearance, Edgecombe said the team is focused on finishing what it started.
“This is a chance to make history for our country,” he said. “The support we had tonight shows how much this means to The Bahamas, and now we have to go out and take care of business.” Team Bahamas will now look to get a crucial win
against 4-1 Puerto Rico 7pm today at Kendal Isaacs Gym. The Bahamas needs to beat Puerto Rico by more than six points to advance in the tournament and keep its FIBA Basketball World Cup dream alive.
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Monday, July 6, 2026, PAGE 7
Osaka overpowers Sabalenka to reach Wimbledon quarterfinals Djokovic edges Federer
!"#$%&'()#&$*+,# $+#-./012#)03140 LONDON (AP) — In a matchup of two of the hardest hitters on tour, Naomi Osaka outslugged topranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (2) to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time yesterday. Sabalenka had beaten Osaka in all three of her previous matches with Osaka this year — including at the same stage of the French Open last month. But this time Sabalenka couldn’t handle Osaka’s pace and flat groundstrokes, which had an even bigger impact than usual as her balls flew through the air faster on the warmest day of the tournament so far. The temperature during the match reached 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit). “She overpowered me,” Sabalenka said. “I felt like it was incredible level from her." Besides Paris, Sabalenka also beat Osaka in Indian Wells, California, and Madrid this year. “That really sucked,” Osaka said. “So I wanted to like turn it over and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to do that.” When it was over, Osaka performed a few fist pumps, let out a brief smile and then placed her racket over her head and spun around in delight to celebrate her first career win on Centre Court. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court," Osaka said. "And to do it here, it really means a lot.” It was Osaka’s first win over a No. 1 player since beating Ash Barty in Beijing in 2019. That was before Osaka, a former No. 1 herself, took breaks
!#I"J& KL+)+M70*& +,& :1437(*& 415<4/'& 5=1& 3(22& 5+& N+?(/& :(O7<27/& +,& N<''7(& 7/& 5=174& ,+<45=& 4+</>& '7/821'& ?(50=& 91'514>(9D& !"#$%&#'()(*&+,&-(.(/*&012134(51'&67//7/8&(&.+7/5&(8(7/'5&"49/(&:(3(21/)(&+,&;12(4<'& 7/&5=174&,+<45=&4+</>&'7/821'&?(50=&(5&5=1&@7?321>+/&A1//7'&B=(?.7+/'=7.'&7/&C+/>+/*& 91'514>(9D& &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&E"F&F=+5+'G!0356#7685685H from the tour to manage her mental health in 2021 and for maternity leave that resulted in her missing all of 2023. Osaka unleashed so much power that, during one point early in the second set, she practically pushed Sabalenka down to the ground. When Sabalenka netted a backhand on Osaka's second match point, she smacked a ball high into the air: “I hit it outside of the stadium, I believe,” Sabalenka said. During her on-court interview, Osaka said her mom’s Japanese cooking was “powering” her victories. “So mom, I would really appreciate another meal tonight,” Osaka said, as her mom watching in the stands responded by forming a heart with her hands.
It’s the second straight Grand Slam in which Sabalenka has failed to reach the latter stages, after a stunning meltdown against Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarterfinals last month, after which Sabalenka said she “just want to quit tennis.” This time, Sabalenka said she wanted to go “get completely drunk, forget about tennis, and try to get in better shape.” Sabalenka and Osaka have each won four Grand Slam titles and all of their major trophies have come on hard courts — at the Australian Open and US Open. Osaka is coming off the first grass-court final of her career, although she retired from the championship match in Bad Homburg, Germany, last weekend because of a foot injury.
Osaka will next face Karolina Muchova, who beat 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-5, 5-7, 6-3. Before the match, Osaka came out in the white kimono she’s been wearing for her walk-ons at Wimbledon — which was inspired by a character in a Quentin Tarantino movie. Toward the end of the first set, one of Sabalenka’s coaches came down from the stands with four freshly strung rackets for her — presumably at a higher tension to better control Osaka’s pace. Osaka set the tone early on with an inside-out backhand winner on her first break point to take a 2-1 lead in the opening set. Then in the second-set tiebreaker, a series of errors from Sabalenka put Osaka in command.
Osaka saved the only two break points she faced and put 87% of her first serves in play — compared to 69% for Sabalenka. “I didn’t play my best, and she played probably her best. Sometimes that happens,” Sabalenka said. “Sometimes you can go out there and do everything you can and still lose the match." Osaka also led 8-5 in aces and 21-15 in winners in the match, which lasted less than 1 ½ hours. “What could I do if the person is acing and hitting the lines, just going for her shots without any fear?" Sabalenka said. "She was just going for it. “Level-wise, today,” Sabalenka added, “I wasn’t world No. 1.” New women’s champion Krejcikova’s loss ensures a new women’s champion at Wimbledon for the ninth straight time. She was the only former champion left in the women’s draw
after Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Serena Williams all went out earlier. No woman has won multiple Wimbledon titles since Williams won her seventh in 2016. No. 4 Jessica Pegula also advanced by beating fellow American Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Djokovic edges Federer Earlier on Centre Court, Novak Djokovic beat 132nd-ranked qualifier Roman Safiullin 7-6 (6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 for his 106th match victory at the All England Club. That puts Djokovic one ahead of Roger Federer atop the all-time list for men’s match wins at Wimbledon, although he still trails Martina Navratilova’s 120. Djokovic will next play the winner between third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 22 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
PAGE 8, Monday, July 6, 2026
THE TRIBUNE AP SPORTS EXTRA
Haaland scores twice to beat Brazil, send Norway into Haaland scores twice World Cup quarterfinals for 1st time
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!"#)9.0:.;#6:<;(# %0#)12345#637483 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Erling Haaland headed in the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time, carrying Norway into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Brazil yesterday that showcased the towering striker on soccer's biggest stage. After being a nonfactor for much of the afternoon and having limited touches, Haaland turned it on when it mattered most, getting the right side of his head on the ball after a perfect setup by Andreas Schjelderup, who entered at halftime. Schjelderup jumped on Haaland's back to celebrate the 6-foot-5 striker scoring his sixth goal at the World Cup and did so again after assisting on his seventh, tying Argentina's Lionel
Messi and Kylian Mbappé of France for the most in the tournament. Haaland extended his streak of scoring to 14 consecutive competitive matches internationally. He has 27 in that stretch and 62 in 54 with Norway. At the other end, goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland was stellar. He made a crucial stop early, diving to his left to deny Bruno Guimarães’ penalty kick in the 14th minute, then got his left hand on a shot by Endrick late when Norway was hanging on to a one-goal lead. The only goal Nyland allowed was to Neymar on a penalty kick late in stoppage time, which changed just the final score. Nyland, who at 35 is his team’s oldest player, was a huge factor in a historic victory that ranks among the most significant in the country’s history — at least
EJ9KLM()!N,-,4,<)!O<-,#$!1P3!&$.<5)!0<$,-.!785!A#$+0!B<=! $#<-0!#@!?C!D&748!&.&,-)7!"#$%&'G! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!19H!H8#7#IB3>CD#B3>CD@7C#++3 on the men’s side. Norway’s women’s team won the World Cup in 1995, but the men have only qualified four times and not since 1998. They had not gone further than the round of 16. Norway next faces the winner of the Mexico-England round-of-16 game on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Guimarães became the first Brazil player not to score on a World Cup
penalty kick since Zico in 1986. The decision to have him take it instead of star Vinícius Júnior brought immediate second-guessing and may be questioned and criticised for quite some time. There were plenty of other missed opportunities, including Casemiro missing Neymar on a crossing attempt on what could have been the tying goal. Brazil goes home having massively underachieved
expectations set pretty much at win or bust for the five-time World Cup champions. The global powerhouse had its streak of quarterfinal appearances at the tournament end at eight, losing before that stage for the first time since 1990. It was Brazil’s seventh consecutive loss to European opponents at the World Cup, dating to beating Germany in the 2002 final. The absence of injured midfielder Lucas Paquetá did not help, even though Gabriel Martinelli showed off his speed at times after being coach Carlo Ancelotti’s choice to go into the starting lineup. Norway got defender Julian Ryerson back from his injury that sidelined him the past two games, and coach Ståle Solbakken was rewarded for making the changes at halftime by
Schjelderup setting up each of Haaland’s goals. Those moves played a role in the upset, though this one was not nearly as massive as the group stage in 1998. Norway showed how much it had evolved as a soccer nation since then, with knocking off Brazil the latest step in that process. Yellow-clad Seleção fans outnumbered those in Norway red, many of whom did the now-famous Viking Row in the stands — with Brazil supporters even cheering it before kickoff. Brazil's fans were stunned silent when it returned after the game. Also in the sellout crowd of 80,663 were rapper Jay-Z, comedian Chris Rock, actor Woody Harrelson, actress Sofía Vergara and basketball player Jalen Brunson of the NBA-champion New York Knicks, who elicited a healthy roar when he was shown on video screens.
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England hands Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, winning 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals !"#$%&'()#&(*&+,-./# %0#)12345#637483 MEXICO CITY (AP) — Jude Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart, Harry Kane converted a penalty when England was down to 10 men, and the Three Lions handed Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, a wild 3-2 victory last night to reach the quarterfinals. England moves on to face Norway on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida, for a spot in the semifinals. Bellingham stunned the crowd of more than 80,000 at a venue where Mexico was unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches, including three this year, when he scored on a header in the
36th minute and again in the 38th on a pass from Kane. Julián Quiñones scored for El Tri in the 42nd minute, and the game appeared to turn in Mexico’s favour when England’s Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th for a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo. But England was awarded a penalty for a challenge by Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, and Kane converted for his sixth goal of this tournament and 14th of his World Cup career, matching Gerd Müller of West Germany for fifth on the scoring list. Kane has six goals in this tournament, one behind Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling
Haaland in the Golden Boot race. Kane then committed a foul that made him the first player since at least 1966 to score and concede a penalty in a World Cup game. Raúl Jiménez converted the kick with a stutter-step approach to move El Tri within 3-2. Mexico attacked relentlessly over the final 21 minutes, plus 11 minutes of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England's defenders held steady. Mexico has not reached the quarterfinals since hosting in 1986. Since then, it has lost in the round of 16 eight times, failed to advance past the group stage in 2022 and was disqualified from the 1990 tournament.