Spain’s super Sunday: Carlos Alcaraz takes Wimbledon, La Roja win Euro 2024; another Copa security disaster

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🏆 Good morning to everybody, however particularly to …

SPAIN, SPAIN AND MORE SPAIN

The wonder — and the agony — of soccer is that over 90 grueling minutes, the distinction usually comes all the way down to the blink of an eye fixed. A second of brilliance. A second of let off.

Spain are the champions of Europe after being on the suitable finish of that second within the Euro 2024 last, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal latching onto a superbly weighted Marc Cucurella cross within the 86th minute for the decisive objective in a 2-1 win over England.

La Roja opened the scoring simply after halftime on a flowing assault that Nico Williams completed off an incisive cross from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. However England answered by way of Cole Palmer‘s long-range effort within the 73rd minute.

Then got here Oyarzabal’s objective, when John Stones was unaware of the run behind him and Marc Guehi misplaced monitor of Oyarzabal for only a cut up second. The Actual Sociedad captain poked the ball previous Jordan Pickford, and that was that.

With an overflow of younger expertise, this could be the start of a Spain dynasty, Jonathan Johnson writes. On the opposite finish, it is the same old story for England, says James Benge.

Hours earlier, Spain had extra motive to have a good time … and in England, no much less.

For therefore lengthy in males’s tennis, there was the Huge Three: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Now there’s the Huge One. The one and solely. And he is solely getting higher. Carlos Alcaraz is the face of males’s tennis, his newest achievement being his second straight Wimbledon crown — for the second straight yr over Djokovic, too — in overwhelming 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) vogue.

From the very first sport, an enthralling battle that took 14 minutes, included seven deuces and resulted in Alcaraz breaking Djokovic, Alcaraz made it crystal clear there could be no escaping him and all of his huge, breathtaking ability set.

Alcaraz was immense. Simple. Relentless. He mixed a large serve into Djokovic’s physique (84% of first-serve factors gained) with a ferocious floor sport (42 winners) and gorgeous protection. When he wasn’t blasting winners previous Djokovic, Alcaraz was enjoying feathery drop photographs and scampering round tirelessly; he coated over 100 meters greater than Djokovic over the course of the match.

Alcaraz, 21, has 4 main titles, and he may nonetheless add to that earlier than turning 22. For reference, Nadal had three majors when he turned 22, and Djokovic and Federer each had one. At his finest, Alcaraz is part of all three gamers: the overwhelming energy and athleticism of Nadal, the protection of Djokovic and the contact of Federer.

After Spain’s triumph, Alcaraz tweeted (in Spanish), “We’ll must have a good time, no? 👀😂“

Certainly they’ll. Celebration on, España.

👍 Honorable mentions

⚽ And never such a very good morning for …

CONMEBOL, EVERYONE INVOLVED IN ORGANIZING COPA AMERICA AND LIONEL MESSI

What ought to have been an exquisite championship match between two of the very best groups on this planet and arguably the best participant to ever contact a soccer ball changed into a catastrophe.

Followers — 1000’s with out tickets — charged the turnstiles, broke in, obtained trampled and even climbed via air con vents. Stadium employees have been helpless. The stadium went on lockdown. The kickoff was delayed, first half-hour, then one other 15, after which one other 30. The lead as much as Colombia vs. Argentina was something however world-class, and far of the blame lies with CONMEBOL, the group organizing what ought to’ve been a world-class match.

This got here simply days after Uruguay gamers went into the stands to fight Colombia fans who had encroached on Uruguayan gamers’ households. Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa ripped CONMEBOL for mendacity, whether or not it got here to the safety, the turf or different points.

Anyway, the sport did ultimately get underway, however followers wanting to look at Lionel Messi discovered their expertise minimize quick. The Argentinian legend was subbed off in heartbreaking fashion after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury within the second half. He coated his face and sobbed; a number of Argentina followers absolutely did the identical.

Lautaro Martínez, in the end, turned these tears into smiles, although, by ending coolly within the 112th minute off a fast counterattack that might give Argentina the 1-0 win. His 5 objectives within the match earned him the Golden Boot, and he fittingly celebrated by embracing Messi.

Argentina is now the two-time Copa America reigning champions and World Cup reigning champions. Now, let’s hope Messi can get wholesome and this is not the final we have seen of him for La Albiceleste.

👎 Not so honorable mentions

⚾ 2024 MLB Draft: Travis Bazzana first, plus winners, losers, finest remaining gamers

From Australia to the US to the No. 1 choose within the 2024 MLB Draft, Travis Bazzana is simply getting began. The Guardians selected the previous Oregon State star, marking the first time a second baseman has been the top pick.

Bazzana was R.J. Anderson’s No. 2 prospect within the class, and it isn’t arduous to see why Cleveland selected him. He slashed .416/.475/.937 with 28 residence runs, 16 stolen bases and 40 extra walks than strikeouts final season with the Beavers. Right here was the highest seven:

1. Guardians: 2B Travis Bazzana, Oregon State (scouting report)
2. Reds: RHP Chase Burns, Wake Forest (scouting report)
3. Rockies: OF Charlie Condon, Georgia (scouting report)
4. Athletics: 1B Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest
5. White Sox: LHP Hagen Smith, Arkansas
6. Royals: 1B/LHP Jac Caglianone (scouting report)
7. Cardinals: IF JJ Wetherholt (scouting report)

In his winners and losers column, Mike Axisa preferred a few steals in a while.

• Axisa: “For me, the 2 finest worth picks of the primary spherical have been East Carolina righty Trey Yesavage to the Blue Jays at No. 20, and Arizona highschool lefty Cam Caminiti to the Braves at No. 24. Faculty pitchers with Yesavage’s deep arsenal and monitor document do not make it exterior the highest 15 fairly often … As for Caminiti, he was the very best highschool pitcher within the draft class, and it is a Max Fried starter equipment.”

We have now grades for every first-round pick, together with a switch pitcher! The draft continues right now, and listed below are R.J.’s top remaining players.

Former Tremendous Bowl champ Jacoby Jones dies at 40

Jacoby Jones, the previous NFL extensive receiver and return specialist who performed hero within the Ravens‘ run to Tremendous Bowl XLVII triumph, died Sunday. He was 40 years previous. No explanation for dying was instantly accessible.

• The Texans took Jones within the third spherical of the 2007 draft, and he instantly contributed within the return sport. He is the franchise’s all-time chief in punt return yards and yards per punt return.
• In 2012, Jones joined the Ravens and posted the best yr of his profession, incomes All-Professional and Professional Bowl nods.
• That was solely the start, although. Within the divisional spherical, Jones reeled within the “Mile Excessive Miracle,” a 70-yard landing with underneath a minute left to tie the Broncos. Baltimore would go on to win in extra time. Within the Tremendous Bowl, Jones had a 108-yard kickoff return landing (the longest in postseason historical past) and a 56-yard landing receiving. His 290 internet yards gained are a Tremendous Bowl document.
• Jones is Baltimore’s all-time chief in yards per kickoff return (30.1).
• He completed his profession in 2015 with transient stints with the Steelers and Chargers.

Tributes poured in, with JJ Watt calling Jones, “one of the fun-loving teammates and folks I’ve ever been round,” and Ray Lewis saying, “you’ll really be missed.”

📺 What we’re watching Monday

🏀 Males’s Staff USA vs. Australia, midday on FS1
🏀 Pistons vs. Rockets, 6:30 p.m. on NBA TV
⚾ Dwelling Run Derby, 8 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Path Blazers vs. 76ers, 8:30 p.m. on NBA TV
🏀 Celtics vs. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. on NBA TV