📰🏟️ Messi Miracle

Good afternoon. Today’s edition brings you the top news from around the sports world. Let’s get right to it.

—Kyle

1) Final 8 World Cup teams are set

Lionel Messi helped Argentina overcome a 2-goal deficit to beat Egypt 3-2 in extra time yesterday, while Switzerland edged Colombia in a penalty shootout (4-3) following a 0-0 draw.

• The quarterfinals will kick off tomorrow, following the tournament’s first off day.
• The matchups are: France v. Morocco (Thurs.), Spain v. Belgium (Fri.), Norway v. England (Sat. afternoon), and Argentina v. Switzerland (Sat. evening).
• France is the current betting favorite (+175 on BetMGM), followed by Argentina (+350), Spain (+350), and England (+450).

Final 8 preview & key storylines

2) It was a night for the MLB record books 

Kansas City Royals RF Tyler Tolbert last night became the 1st MLB player in the expansion era (1961-present) to hit safely in 12 consecutive plate appearances, tying the overall record.

• Tolbert flied out in the 9th inning to end his 12-12 streak, though the Royals prevailed in a wild 16-12 win over the Mets.
• Elsewhere, the NY Yankees became the first team in AL history to strike out 17 times in back-to-back 9-inning games, dropping both to the Tampa Bay Rays for their 10th loss in 12 games.

Royals’ Tolbert and the Yanks make history

3) Flyers tender record $90M offer sheet to C Carlsson

The Philadelphia Flyers offered restricted FA Leo Carlsson—a 21-y.o. rising star center for the Anaheim Ducks—a 5-yr, $90M contract that sets an NHL record for annual value ($18M/yr).

• The Ducks now have a deadline of 2 pm CT Friday to decide whether to match the Flyers’ offer, or let Carlsson walk in return for 4 1st-round picks from Philly over the next 4 yrs.
• Analysts say Carlsson’s deal—regardless of who he signs with—will help other NHL talents cash in this offseason, like Blackhawks restricted FA Connor Bedard.

Carlsson gets “puck you” money

4) Late Cowboys DE Kneeland diagnosed with CTE

Former Dallas Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland, 24, was suffering from early-stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died by suicide last year, according to scientists.

• Boston University researchers made the diagnosis through a postmortem brain tissue analysis of Kneeland, though they said CTE shoudn’t be considered a cause for suicide.
• Kneeland died last November after evading Texas authorities in his vehicle—allegedly traveling 145 MPH—and fleeing a car crash on foot.

More on Kneeland’s diagnosis

5) WSOP Main Event underway in Vegas

Registrations for the World Series of Poker Main Event closed yesterday afternoon, with the 2026 edition of the $10K buy-in tournament drawing 9K+ players for a 4th straight year.

• Players are competing for a $10M top prize from an overall pool of $85.6M, with the top 15% of players receiving a payout.
• The 2026 edition of professional poker's de facto world championship features a $10M top prize from an overall pool of $85.6M.
• The top 15% of players will receive a payout, with $1M+ payouts beginning at 9th place.

Poker’s world championship is underway

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