The Branch brothers have been the talk of Omaha, and while Kyle's OU ousted Kolby's UGA, it wasn't without a compelling sendoff.

Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata has stunned Czech second seed Jiri Lehecka with a 4-6 7-5 7-6 (9-7) victory to reach the Queens Club quarter-finals.

A New York Knicks star suffered an awkward moment when he had a run-in with the NYPD during the team's championship parade through Manhattan on Thursday.

Brazilian fans that went the distance up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps to pose with the Rocky statue left the fictional fighter just as they found him.Every Brazilian fan in Philadelphia to watch their national team play Haiti on Friday at the World Cup that stopped for a snapshot or a selfie with the 9-foot-11, 1,300-pound beast left the statue dressed in only his bronze trunks and boots.No taking chances of getting hit by the Rocky curse.Yes, the Rocky statue, long a symbol of resilience, heart and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia, has taken a few more hits of late (even in retirement).Visiting American sports fans have long learned the hard way that dressing the statue with colorful jerseys, scarfs, hats, anything found in your local Rally House, has only meant that team would suffer a knockout blow at the home of the local Philly team.Scoff all you want.The bad fortune stretched to soccer when fans of the Ecuador's national team took over the Rocky steps and sang and danced and waved flags and ... dressed Rocky in a team jersey and tied the country's flag around the fictional fighter's neck.It didn't go well.Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years.And there ain't gonna be no rematch.Brazil fans noticed the outcome and one of their fan groups, the Green and Yellow Movement, urged visitors to keep their clothing to themselves. ANTENCAO TORCEDOR! the Instagram post warned.Everyone is paying attention.The translated text read: It's totally forbidden to put a Brazil shirt on the Rocky statue in Philly!!!!!Even Visit PA cheekily got in on the fun and tried to warn foreigners that just like Ivan Drago learned the hard way Rocky was not to be messed with.Countless football teams (as in American Football, not Ftbol same curse, different sport) have all dressed the Rocky Statue in their colors and gone on to lose, the Instagram post said. Ecuador dressed Rocky last weekend Coincidence? Sadly, history says no.Philadelphia can't wait to host you! (but Rocky does not need your kit)Brazilian fans paid heed to the warning through Thursday afternoon, and scores of fans simply took the spot in front of the statue and raised their arms in triumph just as Rocky did after so many fights, and many, many movies.This is a moment in Brazil, said Lorival Guerreiro, who traveled from Limeira, Brazil, for the World Cup. They promote this place to celebrate before the game. The Brazilians come here to celebrate our team."When the bronze statue was left on the steps after filming the Rocky movies, the museum fought to have it removed. It was eventually relocated to South Philadelphia before returning to the bottom of the steps in 2006. The statue was a huge hit and became a point of pilgrimage for people around the world.According to the Philadelphia Visitor Center, about 4 million people visit the steps each year rivaling the nearby Liberty Bell in annual foot traffic. The pop culture icon was recently moved to the top of the steps.Roberto De Freitas, a native of Porto Alegre who now lives in Florida and is attending his third World Cup, climbed the steps for a photoshoot with perhaps Philadelphia's most famous landmark. He was dressed in Brazil's colors down to the green sneakers and was set to attend Friday's game.He hoped five-time World Cup champion Brazil would take a page from Rocky's corner and win some more.We have five titles, De Freitas said. We are trying to get that sixth one.De Freitas had not yet heard of the Rocky curse but had no plans to tempt fate once he learned of the potential consequences.That's what they said, he asked with a laugh. I'm for sure not going to do it.For the record, De Freitas said Rocky was his favorite of all the movies in the series.The Rocky Shop at the base of the steps was loaded with tourists who snaked their way through fighter T-shirts and plush offerings of Mr. T's character, Clubber Lang. Peruvian sports journalist Jampool Cuadros Estrada tried on a Rocky robe as a cameraman followed him around the store for their latest World Cup report.Philadelphia, home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian-born immigrants, has a bit of a recent connection with the South American country. The Philadelphia Eagles opened their Super Bowl championship season with a win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil in 2024.Facing pressure to win its first World Cup title since 2002, Brazil was outplayed early and needed Vincius Jniors 32nd-minute goal to get a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday.Brazil now needs to beware Haiti a noted heavy underdog, just like Rocky.Brazil has the pressure. Haiti has the freedom, Haitian singer Wyclef Jean wrote on social media. And sometimes freedom is the most dangerous thing on the pitch. I can't wait!!!!___AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Liverpool have officially completed the acquisition of Spanish winger Victor Munoz, activating his 40million (34.5m) release clause at Osasuna to secure the 22-year-old ahead of Newcastle United.The deal is Andoni Iraola's inaugural signing since taking charge at Anfield following Arne Slot's departure earlier this month.Munoz has committed to a six-year contract with the Merseyside club, who will settle the transfer fee across two payments.The Magpies had been engaged in advanced negotiations for the forward following their sale of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, but Liverpool moved decisively to trigger the buyout clause and win the race for his signature.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayMunoz arrives at Anfield as a member of Spain's World Cup squad, having earned his first international cap in March.La Liga expert Phil Minshull has described the winger as "one of the pearls of Spanish football" with an impressive work ethic.Munoz, who typically operates from the left flank, came through Barcelona's renowned La Masia youth system before joining Real Madrid, where he made two substitute appearances.He transferred to Osasuna in July 2025 for 5m (3.8m), scoring seven goals and registering five assists across 36 matches during the previous campaign.LATEST SPORTS NEWSGary Lineker makes admission following England's World Cup win against CroatiaWorld Cup day eight: Czech Republic draw with South Africa, Switzerland play Bosnia-HerzegovinaSix people arrested during England's opening World Cup win against CroatiaReal Madrid retained a 50 per cent sell-on clause and matching rights, though concerns about playing time under Jose Mourinho deterred any return.Munoz opted for Liverpool despite interest from Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen.Iraola was particularly drawn to the Spaniard's pace, his effectiveness against deep-lying defences, and his quality in the final third.Mohamed Salah's impending departure has created an obvious requirement for attacking reinforcements at Anfield.Liverpool believes Munoz will complement existing options Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo, adding versatility to their forward line without limiting opportunities for 17-year-old Ngumoha, who recently made his England debut.While acknowledging that Munoz's overall output needs improvement, the club's confidence in his development is reflected in the lengthy contract commitment.Liverpool have a history of hijacking Newcastle's transfer targets in the past.Last summer, Hugo Ekitike chose Liverpool over the Magpies before Alexander Isak subsequently forced through a move from St James' Park to Anfield.For Newcastle, who had identified Munoz as Gordon's long-term replacement, the miss is a significant setback despite their efforts to act swiftly and avoid repeating last year's difficult transfer window.Liverpool are expected to pursue further attacking additions this summer, with strong interest in RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international currently at the World Cup, who is also attracting Paris Saint-Germain's attention.Federico Chiesa may depart, with Italian clubs circling the forward who managed just one Premier League start last season.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Iran's supreme leader says he disagrees with the deal and Donald Trump signed it "out of desperation".

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Larrire droit de lquipe de France, Malo Gusto, tait prsent jeudi Boston pour le point presse de lquipe de France quatre jours du deuxime match de la Coupe du monde 2026 face lIrak. Loccasion pour le joueur de Chelsea de sexprimer sur la concurrence avec Jules Kound.