Sports
FIFA investigating Argentina players for ruckus after World Cup final
July 19, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; Argentina’s Leandro Paredes clashes with Spain’s Gavi next to assistant coach Walter Samuel. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Argentina’s contentious exit from the World Cup could end up having long-term consequences, as FIFA on Monday announced assault charges against two Albiceleste players and an assistant coach.
Midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three assault charges, defender Nahuel Molina faces charge of assault and unsporting behavior, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala is accused of one count of assault.
The allegations stem from the ugly scenes at the end of the World Cup final on July 19 in East Rutherford, N.J., where Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time. Following the final whistle, Molina was seen hitting Spanish star Rodri in the midsection. Paredes put his hands on the throat of Eric Garcia and pushed down the Spanish defender.
Ayala, who put his hands on the neck of Spain’s Dani Olmo, apologized days later but said he was reacting “to something (Olmo) said.” Olmo subsequently refused Ayala’s apology, saying that Ayala lied about him making any comments.
FIFA wrote in a statement, “In accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the respondents have now been provided with the opportunity to present their position, following which a decision will be issued by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in due course.”
Lesser charges were levied against Argentina midfielder Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi, both of whom are accused of unsporting conduct.
FIFA also accused the Argentinian Football Association of regulation violations during multiple matches. Those charges are tied to chants and messages surrounding Argentina’s politically charged semifinal matchup against England.
The two nations have long been at odds over the Falkland Islands, which are off the coast of Argentina but are controlled by the United Kingdom. The area is known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina.
Following Argentina’s 2-1 win over England on July 15 in Atlanta, the Albiceleste players raised a banner that read, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Malvinas Islands are Argentine”).
FIFA wrote that the Argentine federation violated rules regarding “discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failure to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and the throwing of objects by spectators.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Daniel Susac hits first two homers, helps Giants torch Brewers
Jul 29, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Daniel Susac belted the first two home runs of his career, Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos stroked four hits apiece and the San Francisco Giants captured the season series over the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers with a 16-3 shellacking Wednesday afternoon.
Susac finished with three runs and four RBIs, while Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee collected three RBIs apiece, helping the Giants complete the three-game home series with two wins and the seven-game season series with a 4-3 edge.
Susac’s first homer — a three-run blast in a scoreless game — came in the second inning and was all the Giants’ scoring until the sixth, when a seven-run uprising turned a one-win margin into a 10-2 lead.
The early homer came off Brewers left-hander Thomas Pannone (0-1), who was called up from the minors earlier in the day to allow scheduled starter Shane Drohan to get two additional days off. Drohan was rescheduled for Friday’s series opener in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
Pannone, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2023, worked the first three innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits. He walked two and struck out two.
The Giants broke the game open against the Milwaukee bullpen in the sixth, which featured a two-run double by Lee, a two-run single by Ramos and single-RBI hits by Christian Koss and Arraez.
Webb (6-7) was pulled at that point, having limited the Brewers to two runs on five hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out four.
The win improved the 29-year-old’s record against Milwaukee to 6-0 in nine career starts.
Arraez capped his 24th career four-hit game with an RBI single in a three-run seventh, before Susac greeted Andrew Vaughn with his second homer leading off a three-run eighth. Susac had entered the game without a home run in his first 131 big-league plate appearances
Koss joined Susac with three runs scored for the Giants, whose run total was a season-high at home and third-highest anywhere.
Brice Turang had two hits and two RBIs for the Brewers, who hadn’t allowed more than 14 runs in any previous game this season. Jake Bauers also had a pair of hits for Milwaukee, which was out-hit 17-8.
-Field Level Media
Sports
Jackson Koivun celebrates first PGA Tour win by fishing
Jul 25, 2026; Blaine, Minnesota, USA; With ball in hand Jackson Koivun acknowledges applause from the gallery for scoring eagle on hole 18, which made him leader in the clubhouse at -20 after the third round of the 3M Open golf tournament at TPC Twin Cities. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images Jackson Koivun’s celebration after his first PGA Tour victory required little more than a fishing rod and a quiet pond.
Rather than organize a party after winning the 3M Open on Sunday, the 21-year-old remained at TPC Twin Cities to go fishing after the biggest week of his young career.
“I heard really good things about the ponds on the golf course,” Koivun said before this week’s Rocket Classic. “A couple other players had gone in the previous days and I thought might as well decompress and do some fishing.”
The understated celebration followed a memorable finish. Koivun closed with a bogey-free 66 to reach a tournament-record 25-under 259, holding off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by three strokes in only his third start since turning professional.
The significance of the victory has started to settle in through a steady stream of congratulatory messages. Koivun heard from friends in California and several established professionals he admired while growing up, some of whom praised how he handled the pressure of the final round.
Koivun entered the professional ranks with immediate PGA Tour status after completing a decorated career at Auburn and qualifying through PGA Tour University Accelerated. He credited the program with creating clearer opportunities for elite college players to move directly onto the PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour.
“PGA Tour U’s been great,” Koivun said. “It’s given a lot of guys a pathway to the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour, to kind of go out there and prove themselves. Just in the state of college golf right now it’s gotten very, very competitive, guys are getting better and better. Yeah, I think college guys are more and more ready to come out here and compete.”
The victory moved Koivun to No. 70 in the FedEx Cup standings with two regular-season events remaining. He said he will not change his approach, instead focusing on putting together eight solid rounds at the Rocket Classic and Wyndham Championship to secure a playoff berth.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Twins All-Star CF Byron Buxton (hip) returns to IL
Jul 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) runs the bases against the Athletics in the fifth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Minnesota Twins All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday for the second time this month due to a right hip impingement.
Buxton returned from the injured list on July 20 after missing nine games but re-injured his hip while batting in the third inning during Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals.
“It’s just a re-aggravation of the hip,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said after Tuesday’s game. “In the second at-bat, he felt it. I think you could see it in the second at-bat, the ball he made contact with just didn’t look right.”
Buxton eventually exited the game after four innings.
Buxton, 32, is batting .263 with 25 homers, 45 RBIs and 57 runs in 82 games this season.
Buxton was named an All-Star for the third time this season. He was also selected in 2022 and 2025.
Luke Keaschall started in center field against the Royals on Wednesday night.
Minnesota promoted infielder Tristan Gray from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. The 30-year-old has played in 63 games for the Twins this season and is batting .232 with four homers and 29 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Daniel Susac hits first two homers, helps Giants torch Brewers
Jackson Koivun celebrates first PGA Tour win by fishing
