Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
French superfan hails Russia's World Cup
Russia is French superfan Clement Tomaszewski's eighth World Cup; he thinks it's the best yet in terms of welcomes. But it may also be his last. In Moscow ahead of France's final Group C game against Denmark on Tuesday, the pensioner who sports a French jersey emblazoned with the name by which he has become famous at home -- "Clement d'Antibes" -- attended his 253rd match of Les Bleus in Ekaterinburg on Thursday. They beat Peru 1-0.
VAR controversy looms over stormy Portugal draw
If the video replay system was designed to erase controversy from football, then it had quite the opposite effect during Portugal's stormy 1-1 draw with Iran in a dramatic World Cup match on Monday. Iran's stoppage time penalty, which forced Portugal into a trickier part of the draw, plus the decision to let Cristiano Ronaldo off with only a yellow card after he appeared to strike an opponent, will be debated for some considerable time.
Portugal survives scare against Iran to make knockouts
Portugal came perilously close to a group stage exit from the World Cup during a frenetic stoppage-time period on Monday when unfancied Iran equalized through a penalty and almost scored a winner after Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier missed from the spot. The European champions held on to advance to the round of 16 from Group B behind Spain but would now have to take on a much tougher opposition in Group A toppers Uruguay in Sochi on Saturday.
Confused Spain suffering from Lopetegui sacking fall-out
The real consequences of the sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui were laid bare in Spain's chaotic display against Morocco on Monday, which raised serious doubts about how far they can go in the World Cup despite somehow finishing top of Group B. The 2-2 draw in Kaliningrad was thrilling for neutrals but exposed huge vulnerabilities in the 2010 world champions, who had to come from behind twice after careless mistakes gifted two goals to already-eliminated Morocco.
No mercy for misfiring Messi, says Nigeria coach
Nigeria have no sympathy for the struggles of Argentina striker Lionel Messi at the World Cup and will do everything they can to bring his tournament to a premature end when the teams meet in St Petersburg on Tuesday. Argentina, bottom of Group D, need victory to progress to the knockout stages and must also hope Iceland do not beat Croatia, because that could send them out anyway, depending on goal difference.
U.S. to play Brazil, England Italy and Mexico in friendlies
The United States will play Brazil, England, Italy and Mexico as part of a six-game series of high-profile friendlies announced by U.S. Soccer on Monday with an eye on preparing their young team for the next World Cup qualifying cycle. The United States failed to reach the World Cup finals in Russia. The team will host five-time world champions Brazil in New Jersey on Sept. 7 followed by a match against old rivals Mexico at Nashville's Nissan Stadium on Sept. 11.
Murray beats Wawrinka to claim first win since return
Andy Murray claimed his first win since returning from a hip injury as he trounced fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka 6-1 6-3 in the first round of the Eastbourne championships on Monday. An unlikely clash on the sun-baked south coast between two wild cards ranked 156th and 225th respectively was not much of a contest but was hugely significant for Murray as he tested his fitness for next week's Wimbledon.
CBS expands NFL streaming rights to include mobile devices
CBS Corp on Monday expanded its streaming agreement with National Football League to include mobile devices and extended the rights through the 2022 season, the media company said. The multi-year deal will help the NFL to reach consumers who do not subscribe to a television package. In recent years, the football league has been trying widen its reach by distributing its games over the internet amid falling ratings.
Nadal to prepare for Wimbledon at Hurlingham event
World number one Rafa Nadal will warm up for next month's Wimbledon Championships by playing two exhibition matches at the Aspall Tennis Classic in Hurlingham this week. The Spaniard, who reclaimed the top spot in the ATP rankings after Roger Federer lost to Borna Coric in the Halle Open final on Sunday, withdrew from the Queen's Club event earlier this month to recover after winning his 11th French Open title.
Nervy Spain snatches late draw with Morocco to top group
Substitute Iago Aspas struck in stoppage-time to earn Spain a dramatic 2-2 draw with Morocco on Monday which gave them top spot in World Cup Group B and a place in the last 16. With Morocco heading toward their first win of the tournament, Aspas cleverly back-heeled the ball into the net to cancel out Youssef En-Nesyri's towering 81st-minute header for Morocco.
