Jun 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) leaves his feet to attempt to throw out San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers at first base during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Two teams who have struggled throughout June will try to change their trajectory when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series that begins on Tuesday.
Both teams are 3-7 over their last 10 games and will be happy to turn the calendar. The Braves are 9-13 in June and the Cardinals are 12-12 over the same time.
Atlanta has seen its lead in the National League East, which was 10.5 games on May 22, dwindle to three games over the Philadelphia Phillies.
St. Louis was 4.5 games behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on May 31 but now trail by seven games and is just a half-game ahead of the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins in the race for the final wild-card spot.
The series opener features a pair of left-handers, as St. Louis’ Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 5.56 ERA) faces Atlanta’s Martin Perez (6-4, 3.00).
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Atlanta has been in an offensive funk. During their current 4-12 skid, the Braves have been shut out twice and scored three or fewer runs 10 times.
“Our sport is different than every other sport,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “We play virtually every day for seven months, so you’ve got to get past all that stuff. You’ve got to keep your head down and keep doing the work. These guys are doing the work, they’re doing all that stuff. We’ve just got to fight through it.”
The strugglers are led by Austin Riley, who went 4-for-21 on the six-game West Coast road trip, saw his average fall to .209, and hasn’t homered since May 20. Ha-Seong Kim is on an 0-for-24 skid and is hitting .068. Drake Baldwin hit a home run in his first at-bat after coming off the injured list, but is 2-for-43 since his return and has seen his average fall from .303 to .255.
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The Cardinals have been equally puny at the plate. St. Louis scored only three runs in its three-game weekend series against Miami.
“You look at the games, we’re successful, we come up with that key hit, that big hit and kind of keep it rolling,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “We haven’t been able to do that recently and that’s a big part of how we’ve gotten to this point.”
Two Cardinals will try to rekindle their offense. Ivan Herrera (22 games) and Alec Burleson (career-long 25-games) had their on-base streaks end in Sunday’s 2-1 win which snapped a four-game losing streak.
Rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt is coming off back-to-back multi-hit games, giving him 23 on the season.
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The Atlanta staff has been stabilized by the veteran Perez. With No. 2 starter Spencer Strider out for the foreseeable future, Perez has been a dependable arm. Since rejoining the rotation in mid-May, he is 4-2. He had a four-game winning streak end on Wednesday against San Diego when he gave up three runs in four innings, his shortest start of the season.
Liberatore has struggled over his last four starts, going 0-2 with a 10.34 ERA in June. He was rocked by Arizona on Wednesday for six runs in 5 1/3 innings.
This is the first meeting between the Braves and Cardinals this season. The Braves won the series 4-2 in 2025.
Several Man Utd players will officially leave the club when their contracts expire today.
Six players are set to leave Manchester United today as their contracts expire, including Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who will see his four-year spell at Old Trafford come to an end.
United confirmed in January that the 34-year-old wouldn’t be offered a new deal and would leave when his contract expires. They have since confirmed that left-back Tyrell Malacia and winger Jadon Sancho will also depart the club.
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That first-team trio all have contracts that expire on June 30. Casemiro is set to join Inter Miami on a free transfer, while Malacia has been weighing up his options after training abroad this month to keep up his fitness.
Borussia Dortmund are reported to be interested in signing Sancho, who has spent the last two-and-a-half years out on loan, firstly back at Dortmund, then at Chelsea and Aston Villa. He played just 83 games for United in five years after joining for £73million.
Casemiro made 160 appearances for United, winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup and cementing his status as a fan favourite. Malacia suffered cruel luck with injuries during his time at Old Trafford and made only three substitute appearances last season.
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As well as that first-team trio, academy players Sonny Aljofree, James Bailey and Malachi Sharpe will also leave United when their contracts expire today.
Manchester City have had to pay Chelsea for Enzo Maresca but it is the West London club who may end up counting the cost
It didn’t have the audacity of Antoine Semenyo backheeling in a Wembley winner, or the mic-drop moment of Bunny Shaw announcing in the middle of a parade that she was signing a new deal, but the three statements that accompanied Enzo Maresca’s change of job marked up another Manchester City victory over Chelsea. On and off the pitch, the Blues are continuing to flex their muscles.
Chelsea will count the words on Monday and the figure – at least £17million – that they have picked up for Maresca as a success, and they are right to do so. The very fact that Maresca and City both posted reflected that, for they certainly would not have done if the West London club had not insisted on it as part of the compensation agreement thrashed out over the last few weeks.
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That does look a small victory in the context of the war waged by City to defend and protect their interests as one of the leading football clubs. Maresca made Chelsea world champions 12 months ago but has now been picked out as the man to maintain and sharpen City’s edge.
The words and money issued after confirmation of Maresca’s appointment by City roughly tell how an eventful year unfolded. The Blues approached Maresca about the possibility of succeeding Guardiola without any firm possibilities, he then told Chelsea (as he was contractually obliged to do) and despite also inviting them to offer a new contract they believed that he had made his mind up and wanted out.
Trust was lost and the situation exploded in a matter of weeks, leaving Maresca out of a job by January. As he has rejuvenated and sunned himself in the Maldives while taking meetings with AC Milan and then City to decide on his next job, Chelsea’s season fell apart as they hired and fired another manager and finished so low in the Premier League final standings that they will not play any European football next season.
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As much as they can count their money at Stamford Bridge though, they have lost a manager who they could have enticed with a new contract and will not get the sizable funds that English clubs get playing in UEFA competitions next season. City, on the other hand, have landed one of a shortlist no longer than half a dozen of coaches they thought capable of succeeding Guardiola.
It does feel a lot to be paying £17m for a manager, but then at least for City it is not a regular occurrence. Guardiola cost nothing and their last handout to a manager was back in 2013 when they sacked Roberto Mancini and his staff. Chelsea have recouped less for Maresca than they paid Brighton for Graham Potter (£20m) and not far off what they paid Potter to sack him less than a year later (£13m); Manchester United paid £11m to hire Ruben Amorim after paying £10.4m for sacking Erik Ten Hag, and have set aside a provision of £15.9m that Amorim could get after his subsequent sacking.
City do not expect to be paying Maresca out, but if £17m and a public statement is what is needed to land them the coach that they want it has been quickly seen as a price worth paying. Considering the influence Maresca will have and the fact that players are valued at as much as £116m, that doesn’t feel terrible value either.
City have paid out for Maresca, but if he lives up to their expectations it will be Chelsea who end up counting the cost of an explosive and expensive episode..
New Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings sits down with Vikings Entertainment Network’s Tatum Everett on May 27, 2026, to discuss his decision to join the team. Jennings also covered his first weeks in Minnesota, learning Kevin O’Connell’s offense, adjusting to a talented receiver room, and the mentality behind his physical playing style. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings recently concluded a busy offseason — even if they didn’t sign as many players from free agency as in 2024 and 2025. Mainly, the club acquired a new quarterback and hired a new general manager.
And with training camp about one month away, VikingsTerritory is here to rank the Top 10 offseason transactions. The list is in ascending order (No. 1 = best offseason transaction).
Kyler Murray’s Bargain Deal Headlines a More Disciplined Vikings Offseason
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark stretches during warm-ups before a road matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 5, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, working through pregame preparation as Buffalo’s offensive line readied for a prime-time AFC test and another physical night protecting the pocket up front. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports.
10. Shoring Up OT with Ryan Van Demark and Caleb Tiernan
Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery — that began in October 2024 — hasn’t gone swimmingly, though he’s ready for 2026, alas. Brian O’Neill missed games last year, and his contract is set to expire after this season.
So, Minnesota added Van Demark, one of those guys who could start on many NFL teams, and used the “best player available” philosophy on Tiernan, an OT, in Round 3 a couple of months ago. Tiernan is the compensatory pick from Sam Darnold’s free-agent exit, for those keeping score at home.
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If Darrisaw and O’Neill miss time, fans don’t have to dive into the deep end of panic. There are two contingency plans.
9. Pulling CB Charles Demmings Out of Round 5
Demmings has already turned heads as a minicamp scrapper; there’s a chance that you glance at the depth chart a year or two from now and see him penciled in as a starter.
The Vikings haven’t successfully drafted a cornerback of any kind since Trae Waynes or Mackensie Alexander — a decade ago — so one is just destined to succeed at some point. That could be Demmings.
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It’s also worth noting that Minnesota’s CB depth behind the starters last year was a guy named Jeff Okudah. Now, it’s Demmings and veteran James Pierre. A change of pace of the best kind on defense.
8. Swinging for the Fences for Boom-or-Bust Caleb Banks
Banks represents the Vikings’ ultimate make-or-break prospect for 2026.
Heading into the draft, Minnesota forlornly needed a clear, undisputed win. The front office had endured too many unproductive draft weekends, too many “maybe next year” prospects, and too many picks that appeared better in theory than in reality.
Naturally (sarcasm), the Vikings then drafted a massive Florida defensive tackle who had sustained two foot injuries in seven months.
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That encapsulates the current Banks experience. In January, he was considered a legitimate 1st-Round talent. However, a broken foot at the NFL Combine forced every team to re-evaluate the risk associated with his high upside. Minnesota decided the upside was worth the big gamble.
Banks could become the interior force this defense has lacked for years. Conversely, he could prove to be another painful draft miss if his injuries persist or his skills don’t fully translate. There is no middle ground here; it’s an all-or-nothing proposition.
7. MIN Trims Mediocre Dead Weight at DT
Former Vikings boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah — more on him in a minute — signed Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in 2025 free agency, two aging defensive tackle solutions that were exciting at the time. Then, they both underachieved in Minnesota. The Vikings did not hunker down and retain mediocre performers; they flipped the script.
Instead of Allen and Hargrave, Minnesota now has Banks and the next guy on this list.
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6. DT Domonique Orange the Pick in Round 3
The Vikings have desperately needed a true nose tackle since Linval Joseph left the team six years ago. They found it in Orange, a 3rd-Rounder from Iowa State. So long as Orange can keep veteran Levi Drake Rodriguez at bay this summer at training camp, there’s room for the rookie to start immediately.
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Domonique Orange participates in drills during mandatory minicamp, giving the team another early look at Brian Flores’ defensive front on June 9, 2026, at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, as veterans and newcomers worked through assignments, technique details, and offseason installation plans before training camp under Flores. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Minnesota needed a huge run-stuffer. That’s Orange.
5. No Free Agency Spending Bonanza — Salary Cap Reset
The Vikings adopted a more conservative approach to free agency this year. After aggressive spending in 2024 and 2025, Minnesota exercised significantly more restraint in 2026. The flashier path was certainly an option. Tyler Linderbaum would have generated buzz; Trey Hendrickson would have hyped the fanbase.
Rather, the Vikings prioritized value. Murray signed for a modest contract. Jauan Jennings landed at a reasonable number. The remaining veteran additions followed the same pattern: useful players and manageable salaries.
The approach won’t win any offseason headline contests. Yet, it provides the Vikings with more flexibility, especially next offseason.
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Minnesota spent with discipline. For the Vikings, after the past few years, it was a plot twist.
4. James Pierre Added as CB3 Insurance
Pierre tabulated an 86.8 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025. His predecessor in Minnesota, the aforementioned Okudah, logged a 32.8.
That should tell you all you need to know about this CB3 upgrade.
3. Vikings Put Foot Down, Fire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Adofo-Mensah’s dismissal was hardly a surprise. His draft record had become a sinful liability, and the Sam Darnold debacle did him no favors. After four largely underwhelming draft classes, the Vikings had a clear rationale for a front office reset.
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The timing, though, was weird. Minnesota could have made the move the day after the regular season, immediately entering the general manager market and conducting a standard search. But the Vikings waited until late January, creating a strange four-month limbo period with Rob Brzezinski temporarily in charge.
Perhaps it will all work out in the end, and the plan made more sense internally than it appeared externally. Nevertheless, the calendar made the entire situation jarring.
2. It’s Jauan Jennings at WR3
For a while, signing Jennings seemed like a long shot for Minnesota in free agency.
Initial reports suggested he sought WR2 money, which could easily reach $25 million. At that price point, the Vikings would have had no choice but to pass. Lo and behold, he signed with the Vikings.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings speaks with reporters after OTA practice, discussing his arrival, role, and early adjustment to the offense on May 27, 2026, at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, as Minnesota continued its spring program and evaluated how Jennings fits alongside its established receiving talent in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Jennings’ actual deal with Minnesota features an $8 million base salary, with incentives that could increase it to $13 million. For a team already featuring Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Jennings provides the Vikings with a gritty, chain-moving WR3 who excels in San Francisco for years.
1. Kyler Murray Signs on the Dotted Line
Murray’s arrival in Minnesota was initially anticipated to be a major hurdle. At the start of the offseason, it seemed the Vikings would need to trade for him or win a bidding war if Arizona ever made him available. Then, the Cardinals simply cut him.
From that point, the process unfolded with surprising speed and minimal drama.
Murray had a few Zoom calls and signed with the Vikings almost instantly. Fans didn’t even get the full soap opera: Murray became available, and the deal was done.
Now, the Vikings have a quarterback with 4,000-yard and 30-touchdown potential on a $1.3 million contract. If he succeeds, it could be the best bargain in American sports. Minnesota also might’ve stumbled into its starting quarterback for the next several seasons.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Fiona Murtagh claimed a silver medal in the Women’s Single Sculls A Final at the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne on Sunday.
The reigning World Champion produced an authoritative performance as she lead the field through the halfway mark.
She soon became locked in a battle with Briton Lauren Henry.
The Irish rower fought all the way to the finish, showing remarkable composure under pressure to secure the silver medal as Henry claimed the gold medal.
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The fast-finishing Tara Rigney took bronze for Australia.
The Irish teams ends the weekend at Lucerne with silver for Murtagh as well as a bronze from Saturday’s action for Izzy Clements, with representatives having reached three A Finals and placed every crew into finals racing.
The Detroit Lions announced they have released cornerback Terrion Arnold, their 2024 first-round pick, following an arrest last week where he was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.
This comes after Arnold had his bond set at $1 million on Monday by Hillsborough County Judge Christopher Sabella.
Sabella also added conditions for Arnold, which included no contact with the six co-defendants in the case as well as the witnesses. He also must surrender his passport within 48 hours, and remain confined to his home in Tallahassee, Florida, except when he would be playing, training or traveling with the Lions or making court-related appearances.
Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions runs onto the field before an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Nov. 27, 2025.(Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The state also asked Judge Sabella for Arnold to be required to wear a GPS tracking device, but Arnold’s attorneys said he wouldn’t be able to play football with it on.
Prosecutors were pushing for Arnold to be held without bond but, though the charges are serious ones in Sabella’s eyes, he didn’t believe the case was strong enough to hold him in that fashion.
The 23-year-old Arnold was arrested in connection with an alleged kidnapping and robbery that investigators say occurred in February, the Tampa Police Department announced on June 25. Arnold turned himself in and was taken into custody at Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County on Wednesday night.
Arnold is charged with four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery.
Spokespersons for the Lions and the NFL told Fox News Digital they were aware of the situation, but wouldn’t comment any further. Now, the Lions have made their move one month before training camp kicks off across the league.
According to investigators, Arnold rented an Airbnb in Largo, Florida, where he periodically stayed with several co-defendants: Arianna Del Valle, 19; Jasmine Randazzo, 19; Lyndell Hudson II, 26; Christion Williams, 24; Boakai Hilton Jr., 23; and Freddie Hughes, 27. Authorities said other individuals also stayed at the property.
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Investigators said three male victims, all in their late teens, suffered visible injuries after they were allegedly battered, held at gunpoint and pistol-whipped before being robbed and ordered to leave a residence in the 14000 block of North 46th Street in Tampa.
Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second half of an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sept. 7, 2025.(Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
According to investigators, multiple personal items belonging to Arnold and others were stolen from the Airbnb on Feb. 1. Authorities said Arnold suspected two of the three victims were responsible, though Tampa police later determined they were not involved in the theft.
On Feb. 3, Arnold, Hilton, Hughes and another individual reported more than $250,000 in stolen property to the Largo Police Department.
Investigators allege that later that day Arnold and Hilton coordinated with Del Valle and Randazzo to contact one of the victims and lure him to an apartment.
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Police said the three victims arrived at the apartment on Feb. 4 to meet the women, where Williams and Hudson were allegedly hiding inside a bedroom closet. According to investigators, Williams and Hudson grabbed the victims, held them at gunpoint and assaulted them.
Authorities said Del Valle streamed the incident to Arnold, Hilton and Hughes as they traveled to the apartment. Investigators also said they recovered a group chat involving the defendants in which Arnold and Hilton allegedly gave directions to Del Valle, Williams and Hudson during the assault.
According to investigators, Arnold, Hilton, Hughes and another individual arrived at the apartment around 1 a.m. Police allege Arnold directed the group inside, and that Hughes, Hudson and Williams stole the victims’ personal property while the assault was ongoing.
Authorities said the victims were escorted from the apartment about 40 minutes later, forced into their vehicle and left the scene. They later reported the incident to Tampa police and identified the suspects.
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Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions lines up before a play during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 27, 2025.(Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Investigators said they believe Arnold was the primary organizer of the alleged scheme based on evidence gathered during the investigation. However, Harvey Steinberg, one of Arnold’s attorneys, argued in court that the prosecutors were “not even close” to showing he knew or directed his associates in this incident.
Arnold was expected to be a starting corner for the Lions this season, making his release a big one for the depth chart. He recorded his first career interception this past season in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, though he was only able to play eight games because of a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.
Arnold played 16 games during his rookie season in 2024, tallying 10 passes defended and 60 combined tackles.
Ex-Japan hero Keisuke Honda has sent a message after his nation bowed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Samurai Blue lost 2-1 to Brazil in the Round of 32 of the tournament (Monday, June 29).
Honda, who represented his nation at three FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018), bagged four goals and three assists in 10 appearances in the competition. He is the only player from his country to have scored in three different editions of the tournament.
Thanks for the submission!
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Ahead of the World Cup, the four-time AFC Asian Cup winners were dealt multiple blows with injuries sidelining key players. Forwards Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma were ruled out of the tournament with ACL and hamstring injuries respectively. Shockingly, erstwhile captain Wataru Endo also announced his international retirement on the eve of the tournament due to a recurring foot injury.
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Despite the notable misses, Japan qualified for the Round of 32 after a win against Tunisia and draws against Netherlands and Sweden. In the knockout fixture against Brazil, Kaishu Sano’s long-range strike (29′) was cancelled out by Casemiro’s header (56′). Extra time was looming on the horizon; however, a late defensive error from Ao Tanaka allowed Gabriel Martinelli to capitalize and score the winner (90+6′).
After the heart-breaking defeat, Honda took to social media to send an appreciative message to the fans. On X, the 40-year-old wrote (translated from Japanese):
“Thank you for cheering on the Japan national team.”
The result means that the Asian nation are still yet to win a knockout phase encounter at the FIFA World Cup. Their best results still remain their Round of 16 appearances in the 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022 editions.
“The gap between us is closing” – Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu makes claim after 2-1 defeat to Brazil in Round of 32 at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has claimed that the gap between his side and historically dominant sides like Brazil are closing down.
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Moriyasu’s team held their own against the five-time FIFA World Cup champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). They broke the Brazilian defense down while attacking and held firm while defending until the late mistake that ended their campaign.
Speaking after the game, the 57-year-old tactician said (via ESPN):
“We were not able to achieve our goal this time but then we can aim for the next World Cup or maybe even one after that. We should work toward that goal, which is what we’ve been doing… I don’t think history would be gentle to us. But if we are to overcome today maybe we will see a time where history will change. The gap between us is closing now. Brazil is a top-tier team and we’re definitely approaching that level.”
In the Round of 16, Brazil will face the winner of the Round of 32 encounter between Cote d’Ivoire and Norway (June 30).
Oba Femi entered Atlantic City, New Jersey, to a king’s reception.
He did win the King of the Ring Tournament at Night of Champions after all and appeared set to choose his opponent for SummerSlam – Roman Reigns or Sami Zayn. Instead, Brock Lesnar interrupted Femi to a huge ovation.
Oba Femi makes his entrance during Monday Night RAW at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, N.J., on June 29, 2026.(Rich Wade/WWE)
Lesnar spoke to Femi, calling “The Ruler” out for all the trash talk he’s done while Lesnar had been away from the show. But Lesnar wanted to teach Femi a lesson.
“Talk s—, get hit,” Lesnar said before kicking Femi in the groin and delivering an F5 to the big man.
But it wasn’t enough to keep Femi down. He got back up and challenged Lesnar to a match at SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Lesnar accepted but went a step further. He said the match will take place in a Hell in a Cell. The crowd went crazy and it was later made official.
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Brock Lesnar wrestles Oba Femi during Monday Night RAW at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, N.J., on June 29, 2026.(Craig Melvin/WWE)
Raw general manager Adam Pearce made sure that Femi was OK with possibly putting off his title shot for the time being.
“The title is always going to be there. The championships are not going anywhere,” Femi assured Pearce. “I’ll take that when I want it. … It needs to happen. This needs to end and I will be the one to put an end to it.”
Femi and Lesnar have been at each other’s throats since before WrestleMania 42. Lesnar answered Femi’s open challenge, sparking a match at WrestleMania 42. Femi defeated Lesnar and led to Lesnar, at least for a moment, deciding to retire from pro wrestling.
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Brock Lesnar makes his entrance with Paul Heyman during Monday Night RAW at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, N.J., on June 29, 2026.(Rich Wade/WWE)
But Lesnar got his lick back and defeated Femi at Clash in Italy. Now, the two will meet once more at SummerSlam. The two-day event will take place on Aug. 1 and 2.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
NEW YORK — Casey Mize matched a career high with 10 strikeouts over seven innings, and Detroit capitalized on shoddy defence by slumping New York in a victory.
The only baserunner Mize (3-5) allowed came on rookie Spencer Jones’ leadoff double in the third. He struck out 10 for the third time in his major league career and mowed through the Yankees after they tagged him for four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings last Tuesday at Detroit.
Missing injured sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees lost their fifth straight and have been held to three hits or fewer in four consecutive games during a single season for the first time in franchise history.
New York’s .098 batting average is the club’s lowest in a four-game span.
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In the longest start of his career, Mize threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of 22 batters and struck out five of his final six.
BALTIMORE — Colson Montgomery hit a go-ahead double in the eighth inning, Jacob Gonzalez drove in three runs and the Chicago White Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Monday night in the opener of their series.
With the game tied at 2, Sam Antonacci was hit by a pitch before Montgomery doubled him home. Randal Grichuk followed with a single to center field that scored Montgomery and gave the White Sox a 4-2 lead.
Kyle Teel and Antonacci capped the scoring by reaching home on an error by Orioles third baseman Blaze Alexander in the ninth. Alexander, who had one error in his first 67 games of the season, has four in his last five games.
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Gonzalez had a run-scoring double in the third and added a two-run single in the ninth. Teel hit an RBI single in the third, momentarily putting Chicago up 2-1.
Grant Taylor (4-1) pitched two hitless innings and struck out two. Sean Burke went 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits while striking out eight.
PHILADELPHIA — Esmerlyn Valdez and Jared Triolo both hit home runs to help Pittsburgh escape an early five-run deficit, and Endy Rodriguez closed the deal with a three-run homer in the ninth for a win over Philadelphia.
The Pirates posted a six-run fifth inning against struggling starter Aaron Nola (3-5).
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The Phillies fought back with two runs in the eighth to cut the lead to one run, but Rodriquez homered on a two-out pitch off reliever Chase Shugart in the ninth. Mason Montgomery closed for the Pirates.
The Phillies jumped on starter Braxton Ashcraft for five runs. Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh each homered in the first inning, and Bryce Harper hit his 20th of the season in the third inning.
TORONTO — George Springer capitalized on two miscues to circle the bases with a Little League homer, Trey Yesavage pitched into the seventh inning and Toronto beat bumbling New York, snapping a six-game losing streak.
Francisco Lindor homered but the Mets lost for the ninth time in 10 games. They’ve dropped three of four since Andy Green took over as interim manager when Carlos Mendoza was fired last Friday.
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Former Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette played in Toronto as a visitor for the first time after signing with the Mets last winter. The sellout crowd of 41,634 gave Bichette a standing ovation before his first at-bat.
Bichette went 0 for 4 as New York (35-50) fell 15 games under .500 for the first time since 2018. The most games under .500 for a team that reached the postseason was 16 by the 1914 Boston Braves at 12-28, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Yesavage (4-3) allowed one run and three hits in 6 2/3 innings to win for the first time in three starts. He walked none and struck out three.
Mason Fluharty got one out in the seventh, Tyler Rogers worked the eighth and Louis Varland finished for his 17th save in 17 chances.
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BOSTON — Wilson Contreras hit a three-run homer, Caleb Durbin added a home run of his own, and Boston beat Washington to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games.
Contreras opened the scoring for Boston with his 18th homer of the year to jump out to a 3-1 lead before Durbin followed with a solo shot to left two batters later. Contreras had his night cut early, however, after being ejected in the third inning for mocking the ABS challenge helmet tap on a checked swing strikeout.
Wilyer Abreu plated Tsung-Che Cheng with a sacrifice fly in the second, and Carlos Narváez added a sac-fly of his own in the third to complete the scoring.
Ranger Suarez (4-3) pitched six innings and struck out eight while giving up three runs on five hits. The team has had 12 consecutive quality starts, two shy of the franchise record of 14 set in 1988. Boston starters are 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA over the last 12 games.
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CLEVELAND — Cameron Cauley tripled in the seventh inning for his first hit in his major league debut before scoring the go-ahead run on a single by Nicky Lopez to help Texas beat Cleveland for its fifth straight victory.
Justin Foscue followed with a two-out double that scored Lopez from first to make it 4-2. That chased Guardians rookie Parker Messick (7-5), who allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Foscue’s two-out double in the ninth off Erik Sabrowski accounted for the final two runs, the second one scoring when Steven Kwan overran the ball in left field for an error. Kwan had just thrown out Alejandro Osuna at home plate on a single by Evan Carter to keep it 4-3.
Jacob Latz closed it out with two perfect innings for his 17th save.
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MILWAUKEE — Joey Ortiz had a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning to give Milwaukee a comeback victory over Cincinnati.
Held to one hit through five innings by Nick Lodolo, the Brewers tied it against Chase Petty with two runs in the sixth and Brice Turang’s solo homer, his 12th, in the seventh.
Sal Frelick singled with one out in the eighth off Sam Moll (1-6) and advanced on a sacrifice. Tejay Antone relieved and Ortiz sent a 1-1 pitch 412 feet to center for his second homer.
Aaron Ashby (11-1) tossed a scoreless eighth for his major league-leading 11th victory, and Trevor Megill finished with a perfect ninth for his 11th save in 13 opportunities.
Paraguay stunned Germany, the four-time FIFA World Cup champions, after moving on to the round of 16 after winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout on Monday in an absolutely thrilling match with a key controversial moment sprinkled in.
That moment came in extra time, which was needed after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes plus stoppage time between these two opponents.
Germany had dominated throughout this match, but Paraguay had made the best of their grade-A chance in the first half when Julio Enciso buried a header in the 42nd minute. The Germans were able to finally get on the board, though, in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz saw his own header flick into the back of the net.
Julio Enciso of Paraguay celebrates with teammate Gustavo Gomez after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on June 29, 2026.(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
From there, Germany was on the offensive, getting chance after chance with some from Paraguay tossed in. But when extra time began, it seemed only a matter of time before Germany would pot another and take the lead.
It appeared to happen when Jonathan Tah rose up and smashed a header on a corner kick past Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill. The German faithful inside Boston Stadium went ballistic, but that was short-lived after the head official went to the VAR screen to review a potential foul.
During the corner kick, Germany’s Waldemar Anton seemed to obstruct Gill’s movement toward the ball, and ultimately to defend Tah’s header. And if he was simply trying to sell the foul, it worked.
After review, the goal was annulled with the referee explaining that Anton’s actions had prevented Gill from properly getting the chance to stop the header.
After the 30 minutes of extra time, neither side was able to break the 1-1 tie. As a result, the tournament’s first penalty shootout was set to determine who would move on to the round of 16, and who would be heading home.
Things did not start off on the right foot for Germany when Havertz stepped up to the ball and saw Gill make a save. Maurício used that momentum and scored his first to immediately put Paraguay in a good position to win.
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Both sides would ace their next two penalties apiece before Nick Woltemade’s attempt was saved by Gill. Paraguay, now, had a chance to win it all, but Antonio Sanabria missed the team’s fourth penalty.
Orlando Gill of Paraguay celebrates after Julio Enciso scored the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on June 29, 2026.(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Nadiem Amiri kept Germany’s hopes alive with a made shot on the team’s fifth attempt, but being that penalties are determined by five shots, Fabián Balbuena had the opportunity to win it all. However, Manuel Neuer, one of the most decorated goalkeepers in soccer history, let alone Germany’s squad, kept up clutch with a save to force another round.
With slight momentum on their side, Tah stepped up to the penalty area with the chance to get another game-winning goal, this time with his boot. But his attempt was a miserable one, belting it over the crossbar and into the stands.
Paraguay, elated after the miss, sent José Canale to the box and he didn’t disappoint. Neuer guessed the wrong way and Canale tucked his shot under the bar and Paraguay celebrated as you’d expect: pure joy.
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It’s the first time ever Germany has lost in penalties at the FIFA World Cup.
Germany was left shocked on the pitch, as their 2026 World Cup journey comes to a close. And it’s hard not to think what-if when they appeared to have the game-winner on the scoreboard only for it to be taken away by a call that will certainly be debated for some time.
Paraguay’s midfielder Julio Enciso celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.(Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Paraguay will now await the winner of the round of 32 match between France and Sweden, which will be played at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
A-FINAL : Women’s Single Sculls
Lauren Henry, Great Britain 
Fiona Murtagh, Ireland 
Tara Rigney, Australia 
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