We’re into the second day of the U20 World Cup and the big matches didn’t keep us waiting, leaving surprises and great encounters in Chile.
Morocco defeated Spain two goals to nil, who will now play for their passage to the next round against Brazil and Mexico, in the so-called “group of death”.
Great start for the Argentine team, who, even playing with one less from the 10th minute of the first half, authoritatively defeated their Cuban counterparts. The Argentinians already have their sights set on Australia, where they will seek victory and secure their passage to the next round.
In a match that could have ended for any team, Brazil (one of the tournament favorites) and Mexico shared points, leaving their chances of being in the next phase open.
Watch Micah Parsons take field in return to Dallas in Packers-Cowboys
Micah Parsons takes the field ahead of the Green Bay Packers’ game against the Cowboys in his return to Dallas for the first time since the blockbuster trade last month.
For the second straight week, the Green Bay Packers special teams has a kick blocked.
The Packers had just went up 13-0 after their second touchdown early in the second quarter and were in complete control. But Brandon McManus’ extra point was blocked as the line got blown up and the Cowboys returned it all the way to the end zone, which was good for 2 points.
The Cowboys would pounce. Late in the second quarter, they had their first touchdown and then moments later, the Cowboys defense stripped Jordan Love late in the first half. One player later, Dak Prescott found George Pickens on a 15-yard touchdown. Just like that, the Packers trailed 16-13, at halftime.
The special teams unit, and specifically, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, garnered the most frustrations on social media.
No matter how good the Packers look, special teams will always be an atrocity
A perfect #Packers TD drive ends in only 6 points due to a blocked PAT.
Rich Bissaciaâs special teams units just arenât getting it done. At some point â there has to be accountability. The operation is inexcusable. A week after a blocked a potential game-winning FG.
The ball vanished deep into the hole and so too did Shane Lowryâs senses in an impassioned, lumbering dance across the 18th green. An exorcism of nerves on a sizzling afternoon at Bethpage Black, the Irishman saved a staggering Europe from a state of shock after a wave of red in Sunday singles.
The birdie to tie with Russell Henley nudged Luke Donaldâs side to that magical mark of 14 points, eventually finishing 15-13, to end an ominous American charge and the prospect of an even greater comeback than âThe Miracle of Medinahâ.
Jon Rahm mobbed the Irishman, as tears trickled down his face, relief after a chaotic 24 hours, in which he emerged as a part-time bodyguard for Rory McIlroy during a frenzied and menacing fourballs match on Saturday, which saw the event descend into chaos.
âI didnât think it would come down to me,â an honest Lowry remarked. âThe whole week we have our teammates beside us, but on your own itâs incredibly difficult. Those last four holes, I hit three of the best iron shots of my life, Iâm shaking. This is the best team in the world, the best tournament in the world, itâs the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life.â
Before edging to a 14-11 advantage, this gripping three-day battle on Long Island added a bizarre twist minutes before the Sunday singles could get underway. Viktor Hovland, sidelined late on Saturday after his heroics alongside an unlikely comrade in Scotlandâs Bob MacIntyre, would not lineup for Europe on Sunday. It enforced the bizarre envelope rule and dragged Europe a further half point closer, with Hovlandâs match against Harris English deemed a tie. A tantalising two points still required.
The whispers late into the night on Saturday about a record-breaking victory, after the seismic move from Europe to clinch an 11.5-5.5 advantage, were made to look foolish though. Any lingering complacency fuelled a wounded and proud American team.
Team Europe celebrate with the trophy after victory at Bethpage Black (Getty)
Team Europe’s Shane Lowry celebrates holing his putt to halve his match on the 18th hole during the singles match to retain the Ryder Cup (Reuters)
The maligned Keegan Bradley has had his judgement questioned all week, notably the questionable pairing of Collin Morikawa and Harris English, who lost on two occasions. Yet the captain was left grimacing after more poor judgement to intervene on a ruling over Justin Roseâs ball, which cratered beyond the green and the road protecting it from the rear. The commotion appeared to light a fire in Europeâs wily veteran, inspiring him to make an improbable up and down from a scratchy lie, inches from the grandstand, to surge back from three down after 12 to an 18th hole shootout against Cameron Young in the first match. But the bearded New Yorker drained a birdie to snatch the first point of the day and trigger a nervy couple of hours for the away team.
Tommy Fleetwood had aspirations for a famous 5-0 week, replicating the only man to ever do it for Europe in former partner Francesco Molinari in 2018. But a fiercely intense match with Justin Thomas ebbed and flowed until the last. Fleetwood ran his fingers through his hair and staring away in disbelief at the way Europe had started to unravel. Thomas drained the birdie effort for a last-gasp victory and a second straight point to spark wild celebrations. The Kentucky manâs putter discarded, leaping into the air and pointing with menace at Young, who had lingered after his match to soak in the finale of another gripping match.
Team Europe celebrates winning the Ryder Cup in front of fans before the trophy presentation (Reuters)
Hope conjured from nowhere and suddenly 50,000 pairs of eyes were fixated on the balls once more, that sinister edge to this contest following those vile barbs, mostly directed at Rory McIlroy and Lowry, had subsided.
Bradleyâs strategy has been jarringly different to the methodical Luke Donald and his calculated, data-led approach with no stone unturned. Instead, the Bostonian has been magnetic to both aura and entertainment in players and pairings. Notably Bryson DeChambeau, with the beefy Texan wielded as a barrel of petrol to the flammable crowd and its vulgar barbs directed at Europeâs players.
But after four sessions, DeChambeau appeared fatigued on Sunday, with the crafty Matt Fitzpatrick reinvigorated in this competition after a bumpy start as a European player. The Sheffield man left DeChambeau staggering against the ropes with a series of haymakers in the opening seven holes, surging to five up. It even provoked DeChambeau into a tantrum on six after his approach flirted with the hole but failed to drop, leaving him furiously pumping his bulky arms. Fitzpatrick later made a stomping motion on the green with his icy demeanour hinting at the contest fizzling out. But DeChambeau rallied, slashing the deficit to three down after nine and slapping his putter down by his bag to march menacingly to the back nine. A run of three birdies in four holes set up an improbable win, but Fitzpatrick clung on to salvage a precious half point.
Captain Keegan Bradley and members of Team United States stand together on the 18th green after being defeated (Getty Images)
McIlroy was still subjected to a handful of barbs throughout another draining afternoon on the course in what he later admitted has been âa really tough weekâ. His heavyweight tussle with world No1 Scottie Scheffler headlined the action and he erupted after a putt on 17, twirling his fingers and begging the crowd to bring even more noise, while pounding the European badge in delight. But Scheffler salvaged some pride and avoided a dreaded 0-5 run to win one up.
As the blue suddenly vanished from the leaderboard, with four matches remaining, Tyrrell Hatton, 3-0-0 over the first two days, emerged as their saviour. From furiously barking at himself after a near miss on 15, that crucial half point against Morikawa ensured an outright victory.
âIt feels weird to get there this way,â Rose said. âIf it was 14-14 it wouldâve been a strange one, 14.5 is so much better.â
An almighty scare, but Donaldâs side are now the fifth European team to win an away Ryder Cup. There were 37 players before, now 47 have succeeded on US soil. âFuture generations,â in the words of Donald, will always remember this team.
With a number of different regular restingânamely Alex Bregman, Carlos NarvĂĄez and Romy Gonzalezâthe Red Sox looked to wrap up the regular season on a high note and keep the five seed in the American League. Maybe more importantly, you didnât want this team having to bring out the big gunsânot just the ones on the bench but the ones from the bullpen, Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock.
Jose De LeĂłn was called up from Worcester and I think blew away everyoneâs expectations. Steven Matz, Zack Kelly and Greg Weissert were the only ones needed out of the bullpen. The Sox even allowed Alex Cora to take out Trevor Story midway through the game, sliding Nick Sogard to short and plopping Nate Eaton at third. It all worked out in the end.
Then they didnât play an awful game at all! Where in the world has September Masa been? Yoshida ripped a homer down the right-field line to put the Sox on the board early. David Hamiltonâfighting for a postseason roster spotâknocked a two-run dinger of his own. Did they leave nine runners on base and only go 1-for-10 with RISP? Yes, and those are issues that will get them knocked around in the playoffs no matter how far they do and even with not every regular in the lineup.
Still, the tinkering worked enough for Alex Cora to have a number one team ready to go Tuesday at 6pm in the Bronx. A few hours to savor this win and a new season begins. Bring it on.
Iâm sorry, did anyone imagine the 33-year-old prospect, who hasnât pitched in the Majors since 2023 and had Tommy John, to overpower the Tigers? Aside from the three-run shot to Javier BaĂŠz, he struck out eight and did one heck of a job eating innings. Massive, passive props.
Yes, only one hit, but a homer nonetheless to kickstart the game off. Heâs been absolutely on fire in September, and while it doesnât completely change my view on his position on the team, itâs nice to see where the hitting torch has been passed to.
Same thing for Jarrenâjust one hit, but it was an important one indeed, the go-ahead RBI double. How about his outfield assist nabbing Parker Meadows at second base? His defense is still on point.
An 0-for-4 day and no reason to push him any further with more important games coming up,
I think heâs still getting up to game speed missing so much time, but it needs to come quick.
Two strikeouts, and some very conservative, sometimes head scratching defense. I donât mind it in hindsight but I was certainly confused not trying to get an out at first in the ninth when it was attainable.
Iâm gonna give it to Duranâs outfield assist. If Meadows ends up safe at second, I had a sneaking suspicion the game could have started to really yo-yo. De LeĂłn had given up three in the top of the third, and the Sox matched it right back. Instead of starting the fourth off on a wrong note, Duran has everyoneâs back.
While Penn State is busy trying to regroup from its first loss of the season and figure out how to get the most out of its passing game moving forward, one of the program’s more accomplished wide receivers in recent years was creating a special teams highlight in the NFL. Parker Washington has become a fixture on the special teams unit for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he had a massive punt return on Sunday afternoon against the San Francisco 49ers.
With Jacksonville leading San Francisco 20-14 in the 3rd quarter, the Jaguars forced a punt. Washington fielded the football at his own 13-yard line. After making the initial defender miss, Washington took off up the middle, slipping by a couple more would-be tacklers and eventually hitting enough open field to maneuver past the punter on his way to the end zone. The special teams touchdown put the Jaguars up 26-14 following a failed two-point conversion attempt.
The punt return touchdown was the second of Washington’s NFL career. He also had a 96-yard punt return for a score last season against the New England Patriots.
Washington had 20 punt returns during his time at Penn State, but he was never able to spring a big return for a score from 2020 through 2022. Washington had 122 career punt return yards at Penn State. Washington had 1,920 career receiving yards (12th all-time in Penn State history) and 12 touchdowns with the Nittany Lions.
Zane Smithâs car flipped over after he rode the wall in Turns 3 and 4 late in Sundayâs NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas.
Smith got pinched into the outside wall by John Hunter Nemechek on the first lap of a two-lap overtime restart following a spin for Carson Hocevar. As Smithâs car was pinned between Nemechekâs and the wall, the front end lifted off the ground and the car turned on its side and slid along the wall before it tumbled down the track to a stop.
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Smith was able to get out of the car himself after track personnel arrived on his car.
The crash caused a red flag for NASCAR to clean up after the crash and make any repairs to the track and wall. The 267-lap race was officially halted on lap 269.
Bubba Wallace was leading at the time of the red flag as he was racing for the win with Christopher Bell. Denny Hamlin had the race under control before the caution preceding Hocevarâs spin, but a slow pit stop forced him to restart sixth before Hocevarâs incident.
The Atlanta Falcons were far from perfect on Sunday, but they did enough to secure a 34-27 victory over the Washington Commanders. Considering their upcoming schedule, the Falcons may have saved their season. The team played with a renewed sense of urgency that simply wasn’t there last weekend.
Atlanta improved to 2-2 following Sunday’s win and the offense deserves a lot of credit. The Falcons racked up 435 yards and scored 34 points one week after their shutout loss to the Panthers. Defensively, the team had some rocky moments but mostly held it together against a fairly explosive Commanders offense.
Here are five takeaways from the Falcons’ 34-27 win over the Commanders.
Michael Penix Jr. responds with huge game
The Falcons fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard and moved offensive coordinator Zac Robinson down to the sideline to get things on track after a disastrous showing against the Panthers. Michael Penix Jr. responded with by far his best game of the season, passing for a career-high 313 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. Penix made big plays down the field in one of his more efficient games (77 percent completion rate). The second-year quarterback delivered with the season on the line in Week 4.
Falcons rookie Xavier Watts with another interception
Watts recorded his second career interception in the third quarter against the Commanders. The rookie safety finished with six tackles (two solo) and an interception in Sunday’s 34-27 win. That’s not too bad for a third-round pick in his fourth career game. Watts has star potential and has already made an impact. The Falcons continue to get significant contributions from their 2025 draft class. James Pearce Jr. continues to rack up pressures. Billy Bowman Jr. has been impressive in coverage and Jalon Walker has been solid all around.
Kyle Pitts continues to step up
Pitts has looked like a different player this season. The fifth-year tight end has arguably been the team’s most consistent pass-catcher from week to week, and he’s clearly developed chemistry with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Pitts finished Sunday’s game with five catches for 70 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the season. He also recovered a late onside kick to seal the win in the fourth quarter. Through the first four games, Pitts has 20 catches for 205 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Darnell Mooney injured during big day for offense
The veteran wide receiver’s string of bad luck continued on Sunday. Mooney injured his hamstring early in the third quarter and did not return. Prior to leaving the game, he had just one reception for 15 yards. Mooney missed all of training camp after injuring his shoulder on Day 1. He hasn’t looked 100 percent this season but hopefully he can get healthy over the bye week and come back a little fresher. Drake London and Bijan Robinson went off in the meantime, combining for 216 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Robinson finished with 181 total yards (106 receiving yards).
What’s next for the Falcons?
After an up-and-down start to the season, the Falcons have a bye in Week 5. The team will return in Week 6 to battle the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. After that, it’s off to San Francisco to play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. The players better get some rest because it will only get tougher from here on out.
The first game of the Ward and Bo Hardegree partnership produced the Titans first shutout loss since 2019.
Ward opened with a 33-yard pass to Elic Ayomanor, but the Titans squandered the opportunity when Joey Slye missed a 41-yard field goal.
From there, Tennessee only got into scoring range once more, at the end of the first half. But Slye missed again, and the second half was fruitless.
Ward threw a fourth-quarter interception near midfield in the fourth quarter with Houston up 12-0, which led to a Texans touchdown.
The quantity of Ward’s highlights from game to game have not increased through four weeks, but his best throw (and most Cam Ward-ian throw) came on the first drive.
Ward rolled right, stopped and threw from right to left for Elic Ayomanor for a 33-yard completion.
The Titans would go on to miss a field goal, a 41-yard miss by Joey Slye, and the issues avalanched from there.
Week 1 (at Denver):Â 12-of-28, 112 passing yards, fumble lost
Week 2 (vs. LA Rams): 19-of-33, 175 passing yards, TD, fumble lost
Week 3 (vs. Indianapolis): 23-of-38, 219 passing yards, TD, INT
Week 4 (at Houston): 10-of-26, 108 passing yards, INT
Season total: 64-125, 614 passing yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
The Philadelphia Eagles have been defiant in their use of the “tush push” this season. After the controversial play survived an offseason vote, the Eagles were quick to let fans know the “tush push” was here to stay.
Even though the play is perfectly legal, it still remains in the sights of the NFL. Last week, the league reportedly sent out a memo saying officials would crack down on false starts on “tush push” plays. The Eagles escaped a possible false start last week without being flagged. The New Orleans Saints weren’t so lucky.
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With all eyes still on the play, the Eagles decided to do a little more trolling in Week 4. In what everyone expected was an obvious “tush push” situation Sunday, the Eagles lined up in their usual formation for the play.
Then, they faked it.
Jalen Hurts turned around the quickly gave the ball to Saquon Barkley. With the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers line crashing hard to stop Hurts, Barkley waltzed into the end zone untouched to score an easy touchdown.
It was a nasty wrinkle to an already devastating play. If the Eagles are truly going to work the fake into the rotation more, defenses will have even more trouble stopping the “tush push” formation. Well, unless the NFL tries to ban play fakes next offseason.
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While the fake was impressive, it’s actually not the first time the Eagles have deployed it. The team ran the exact same play with D’Andre Swift in 2023. The team doesn’t deploy that fake very often, though it may want to consider doing it more. Based on those two examples â which is, admittedly, a small sample â it works.
Itâs been an incredibly eventful half for the Giants in Jaxson Dartâs first start.
The Giants got off to a hot start, forcing a 3-and-out on the Chargersâ opening possession, followed by a 9-play touchdown drive from Dart. The Giants extended their lead to 10-0 after Dexter Lawrence picked off Justin Herbert and nearly returned it for a touchdown.
The Giantsâ defense has swarmed this game and Justin Herbert has been under tremendous pressure â which got worse after Joe Alt left the field with an ankle injury.
Giantsâ wide receiver Malik Nabers was carted off the field after his knee buckled as he attempted a jumping catch. Safety Jevon Holland is questionable to return with a neck injury and Dart was also seen favoring his left leg and massaging his hamstring after an 11-yard run on 3rd and 10.
The Giants lead 13-10 following a second field goal from Jude McAtamney and a touchdown pass from Justin Herbert just before halftime. The Giants will get the ball to start the second half after winning the opening coin toss and deferring.
Jaxson Dart: 7 of 11 (63.6 percent) for 59 yards (5.4 ypa), 6 carries, 44 yards (7.3 ypc), 1 touchdown.
Dart is limping slightly as the Giants go to the sideline for the 2:00 warning.
Jaxson Dart keeps the offense moving, running for 11 yards on 3rd and 10. A few plays later, the Giants get the ball on the 14-yard line following a pass interference call on the Chargers.
Injuries continue to mount
INJURY – Malik Nabers carted off the field
Jaxson Dart takes a big hit on a rookie moment as he fails to account for an unblocked rusher. He found TE Daniel Bellinger on 3rd and 13 for what was ruled to be a 12-yard catch, however Brian Daboll challenged the spot. The Challenge was successful and it was ruled a 1st down.
Not a sack, but Abdul Carter forces the intentional grounding penalty to end a very methodical drive by the Chargers. The Chargers kick the field goal, but also commit an unnecessary roughness penalty.
The Giants nearly score on Dexter Lawrenceâs interception, but Cam Skattebo is tripped up short of the goal line on 2nd down and canât quite punch it in on 3rd down. Giants lead 10-3 after a field goal from Jude McAtamney.
The Giants get off the field after mental mistakes allow the Chargers to convert two third downs, but the offense is buried inside the 1-yard line after the ensuing punt.
Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Joe Alt is being carted inside after being rolled up upon. He left the field under his own power.
The Giants get their first opening-drive touchdown in nine (9) games.
Cam Skattebo is well on his way to being a folk hero. Bringing the Skatte-boom to the Chargersâ defense.
Jaxson Dart has his first completion.
The Giantsâ defense does its job and forces a 3-and-out to open the game.
QB Jameis Winston (Emergency 3rd QB) RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Shoulder) DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Foot) Edge Chauncey Golston (Ankle) G Evan Neal TE Thomas Fidone CB Beau Brade
The Jaxson Dart era begins on Sunday as the rookie quarterback will make his first NFL start on Sunday when Dartâs 0-3 New York Giants host the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium. Game time is 1 p.m. ET with the Giants 6.5-point underdogs.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that the Giants will run a much different offense with Dart than they did the first three weeks with Russell Wilson at quarterback.
It shouldnât be a surprise to anyone of the Giants use a fair amount of quarterback run game with the 22-year-old Dart, a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his legs, rather than the 36-year-old Wilson. The offense would seem likely to feature RPOs, zone reads, designed quarterback runs and a heavy reliance on shotgun, which Dart ran almost exclusively at Ole Miss.
The energy of the home crowd will be of interest on Sunday with the Giants off to another poor start and having lost 14 of their last 15 games. There should be some energy with Dart starting, but there was a report earlier this week that multiple planes with messages of dissatisfaction could fly over the stadium prior to the game on Sunday.
My lightly-trafficked ride down the New York State Thruway and over New Jerseyâs Route 17 to get to the stadium Sunday morning might be an indication that excitement is not at a fever pitch.
Come on back after the game for all the news, opinion and analysis. Head over to The Feed to express your opinion in our weekly âGIF The Gameâ post.
