Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
England chews on the ultimate bittersweet
England lost 1-0 to Belgium on Thursday to finish second in World Cup Group G but the fact they will now potentially avoid Brazil, Argentina, France and Portugal until the final means it could be the sweetest of defeats. It was a game nobody seemingly wanted to win.
Panama on course for maiden World Cup win
Panama winger Jose Luis Rodriguez's drive took a deflection off Tunisia defender Yassine Meriah in the 33rd minute to give the debutants a 1-0 lead at halftime in their final World Cup Group G match on Thursday. Making their fifth World Cup appearance, Tunisia dominated possession and created a flurry of chances but failed to convert them as Panama scored against the run of play through the own goal.
Leaving it late: last-gasp goals light up World Cup
If you like late goals that turn soccer matches on their head, this is the World Cup for you. Players like Marcos Rojo, whose dramatic 86th minute volley against Nigeria kept Argentina's hopes alive, have scored many more vital late goals in the group matches than at the same stage of the previous two World Cups.
Athletics: Coleman and Lyles to meet in Rabat 100m showdown
World silver medalist Christian Coleman will meet fellow Americans Noah Lyles and Ronnie Baker in the 100 meters at the Rabat Diamond League meeting next month, organizers said on Thursday. The July 13 race will be the first since late May for Coleman, the indoor 60m world record holder who has been recovering from a hamstring injury.
Buccaneers' Winston suspended over Uber driver groping accusation
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was officially suspended three games Thursday for a violation of the NFL's personal-conduct policy at the conclusion of an ongoing league investigation into an alleged incident with an Uber driver in 2016. The NFL "concluded that Winston violated the personal conduct policy by touching the driver in an inappropriate and sexual manner without her consent and that disciplinary action was necessary and appropriate."
Serena Williams not at home when drug tester arrived for surprise test
Serena Williams was not at home when a drug tester made a surprise visit to her Florida home on June 14, a spokesperson for the tennis player said on Thursday as the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said it had tested her on three occasions this year. Williams' publicist Kelly Bush Novak was responding to a report on website Deadspin that an officer from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had visited seeking to drug test Williams outside the allotted daily window.
Woods uses new putter, cards even-par 70 to trail by seven
Tiger Woods unveiled a new putter but hit a couple of poor tee shots in an even-par 70 that left him seven strokes behind first-round leaders Andrew Landry and J.J. Spaun at the Quicken Loans National in Maryland on Thursday. A double-bogey at the par-four sixth, where his drive hit a tree, set Woods back after he had missed some good birdie chances early at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm just outside Washington's Beltway ring road.
World Cup's second tier can dream big for knockout stages
A World Cup final between Denmark and Mexico? Belgium versus Croatia? A few months ago such scenarios would have been considered surreal but two weeks into this tournament of surprises, the prospect of lower-ranked nations competing in the sport's showcase match in Moscow on July 15 has gained more credence.
England and Belgium goalless at halftime
England and Belgium were level at 0-0 at halftime in their final Group G game on Thursday with both sides already sure to progress to the last 16 and fielding much changed lineups. Barring half-chances at either end, with the Belgians having just the better of those, the most excitement the crowd got was two Belgian yellow cards.
Outgoing Panthers owner Richardson fined $2.75 million for harassing women
Outgoing Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was fined $2.75 million by the NFL after the league substantiated workplace allegations that were publicly disclosed in December, the NFL announced Thursday. The fine will go toward supporting organizations that address race and gender-based issues and also fund league-wide workplace training, according to the NFL.
