Tuesday Sports – USA falls to Belgium 4-1 and out of the World Cup

belgium-us-wcup-soccer

FIFA – 2026 FIFA World Cup – Knockout Stage – Round of 16
Yesterday
Belgium 4, United States 1
Spain 1, Portugal 0

BEL 4, USA 1 – Belgium beats US 4-1 to reach World Cup quarterfinals, taking advantage of defensive lapses
The United States’ hopes for a deep World Cup run at home ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the Americans’ defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night that earned a quarterfinal berth. While the U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals and a gaffe by goalkeeper Matt Freese gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half. Romelu Lukaku added Belgium’s final goal in stoppage time.

SPA 1, POR 0 – Mikel Merino’s late goal sends Spain to quarterfinals and ends Ronaldo’s World Cup career
Mikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres. Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa. Spain will play Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California.

Today
Argentina vs. Egypt, 12:00 p.m.                          Atlanta
Switzerland vs. Colombia, 4:00 p.m.                    Vancouver

FIFA – Integrity of World Cup is questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions
With the integrity of FIFA and the World Cup under attack from European soccer leaders, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged taking a call from President Donald Trump before U.S. forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium later Monday. Balogun was issued a red card in the U.S. match vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina last week, resulting in a suspension for the Belgium contest. Trump called Infantino after the game with Bosnia to plead his case to overturn the call, and FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday. That prompted a day of off-field furor at the World Cup.

MLB – Major League Baseball
Last Night
Tigers, White Sox, and Cubs were off

Tonight
Chicago Cubs (Boyd 3-1) at Baltimore (Baz 4-8), 6:35 p.m.
Athletics (Ginn 7-4) at Detroit (Skubal 4-4), 6:40 p.m.              News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 6:15p
Boston (Tolle 4-6) at Chicago White Sox (Schultz 2-5), 7:40 p.m.

NBA – Jokic reaffirms desire to stay with Nuggets for entire career
Nikola Jokic reiterated his hope Monday to remain with the Denver Nuggets for the rest of his career. His plan, though, is to hold off on signing his extension until next summer. The three-time NBA MVP spoke to the media after helping Serbia to a win over Bosnia-Herzegovina during a FIBA World Cup qualifying game in Belgrade, Serbia. Jokic finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. He reaffirmed his desire to remain in the Mile High City. By waiting until next summer, Jokic can sign a five-year supermax contract that would be worth around $350 million.

NBA – Giannis acknowledges scare factor in switching teams for first time
Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged that change is scary as he switches teams for the first time. But ending his career with regrets seemed equally frightening to the two-time NBA MVP. Antetokounmpo posted a video Monday in which he discussed his mixed emotions with former Bucks broadcaster Jim Paschke as the 10-time All-Star’s trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat was finalized. Antetokounmpo said he’s “scared that the grass is not always greener.” Antetokounmpo ultimately decided it was worth the risk to go somewhere that he might have a better chance of winning a second title.

WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association
Tonight
Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury, 10:00 p.m.

WNBA – WNBA injury crunch: Wilson and Clark near returns, Plum out longer
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the WNBA with injuries. Stars A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum have all missed time for a variety of ailments. While Wilson and Clark, who were both selected as All-Star starters last week, should be back soon, Plum will be a bit longer. Wilson has missed three games with a foot injury she suffered against Chicago. Las Vegas’ Becky Hammon said that the four-time MVP could have played in Sunday’s loss if it was a playoff game, but the coach was keeping her out looking at the bigger picture.

Indy500 – Dixon and Rosenqvist sign deals to begin racing for Arrow McLaren in 2027
Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist will join Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar team next season under multiyear agreements. They will race alongside Pato O’Ward in the team’s three-car lineup. Ryan Hunter-Reay will drive the team’s fourth entry in the Indianapolis 500 in May. The team announced the changes Monday, highlighting the addition of three Indy 500 winners and a top oval racer. McLaren CEO Zak Brown expressed excitement about the new lineup, aiming for the championship and an Indianapolis 500 win. Dixon, a six-time champion, called the move an exciting step in his career.

NASCAR – NASCAR uses 3 of its youngest drivers for Rolling Stones collaboration
The first Rolling Stones album was released in 1964. NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch was born in 2006. Of course, when it comes to Mick Jagger and company, time seems almost irrelevant. The 19-year-old Zilisch says everyone knows who the Rolling Stones are. Zilisch joined fellow drivers Carson Hocevar and Jesse Love for a music video as part of a collaboration between NASCAR and the Stones ahead of the band’s 25th studio album, “Foreign Tongues,” which comes out on Friday. The partnership includes a merchandise collection featuring the band’s tongue and lips logo, along with two NASCAR-themed vinyl editions of “Foreign Tongues.”

MWL – Midwest League Baseball
Today
Fort Wayne Tin Caps at West Michigan Whitecaps, 12:05 p.m.
Lansing Lugnuts at Lake County Captains, 7:00 p.m.
Dayton Dragons at Great Lakes Loons, 7:05 p.m.
South Bend Cubs at Cedar Rapids Kernels, 7:35 p.m.