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Spain captures second World Cup title; Orioles keep rolling as playoff races tighten

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Spain claimed its second FIFA World Cup championship Sunday, defeating defending champion Argentina 1-0 in extra time before a sellout crowd at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Substitute Ferran Torres scored the tournament-winning goal in the 106th minute, finishing off a setup by Nico Williams after Spain had dominated possession throughout the match. Spain’s relentless pressure finally broke through after Argentina was reduced to 10 men late in regulation when Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card.

Spain allowed just one goal in eight matches during the tournament, capping a dominant run with its first World Cup title since 2010. Lionel Messi’s likely final World Cup appearance ended in disappointment as Argentina failed to register a shot on goal until the closing minutes of extra time.

Baseball’s pennant races also continued to heat up Sunday as the Baltimore Orioles remained one of the hottest teams.

Baltimore defeated Houston 5-2 for its seventh consecutive victory, moving to within two games of the .500 mark while climbing back into the American League wild-card race. The Orioles’ surge has put them squarely back into postseason contention after a slow start to the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-2 winners over Cleveland on Sunday, continued their own impressive stretch. Winners of seven of their last 10 games, the Pirates enter the week tied for the National League’s third and final wild-card berth.

The Washington Nationals improved to 50-50 with a 5-2 victory over the Athletics. Washington now sits just two games behind in the National League wild-card race and has positioned itself firmly in the playoff hunt.

The Philadelphia Phillies dropped two of three to the New York Mets over the weekend but remain in solid postseason position. Philadelphia begins the new week three games behind the Braves in the National League East while holding a three-game cushion in the wild-card standings.

Elsewhere Sunday, baseball’s hottest team, the Boston Red Sox, won their 13th straight game, defeating Tampa Bay, 6-1.

The Yankees edged the Dodgers 2-1 in a matchup of division leaders, the Diamondbacks outlasted the Cardinals 8-7, Seattle beat San Francisco 6-3, the Angels nipped Detroit 3-2, Cincinnati defeated Colorado 9-6, Milwaukee topped Miami 3-1, the Cubs routed the Twins 10-1, and San Diego pounded Kansas City 19-2.

Source: The Guardian, MLB

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