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A SPAIN SHUTOUT
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón sprinted off his line to beat a charging Kylian Mbappé to the ball with France desperately seeking a goal in the World Cup semifinals.
While Simón managed to get there first and head the ball away, he suddenly had the World Cup’s co-scoring leader between him and the net with France forward Desire Doue trying to get control of the ball.
Even in that rare moment of chaos late in the match, the structured Spanish defense and the standout keeper again didn’t allow a goal.
Spain ended up beating France 2-0 on Tuesday to advance to the World Cup final, 16 years after winning the title the only other time the team made it that far at the tournament. It was the record sixth shutout for Spain at this year’s expanded 48-team World Cup.
After the ball went directly to Doue off Simón’s header, the keeper frantically sprinted back. Simón managed to turn his body to get his back to the net and made a leaping, no-hands deflection on the edge of the area. He then needed several strides before finally being able to fall on the ball.
The latest shutout for Simón and Spain came against FIFA’s top-ranked team, which had Mbappé coming into the match with 20 goals in his 20 World Cup games. The France captain was the Golden Boot winner in 2022, and his eight goals in this year’s tournament are even with Argentina great Lionel Messi, the all-time leader with 21.
Mbappé had only three shots on Tuesday, none of them on target. France created no major scoring threats while missing out on a chance to become only the third team to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.
COLLEGE KICKOFF
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Aflac Kickoff Game on Tuesday announced a name, image and likeness deal with Auburn leading up to the Tigers’ game against Baylor on Sept. 5.
The Peach Bowl and the Kickoff Game say the deal is worth “multimillion” dollars and marks the first time a neutral-site college football game has incorporated NIL compensation for student-athletes.
The NIL agreement also will involve third-party entities. According to the announcement, as many as two dozen Auburn student-athletes will promote the game through social media posts, public appearances, advertisements, in-game promotions and branding opportunities.
“In the new NIL era of college football, this will be an innovative way to create wins for the teams, programs and student-athletes,” said Peach Bowl Inc. CEO David Epps in a statement.
“This new model is a true win-win scenario where Auburn and its student-athletes get a financial boost in the NIL space. At the same time, it’s a potential game changer for neutral-site games like ours who want to bring added value to participating teams and make it a more attractive and lucrative opportunity.”
Auburn opened its 2025 season with a 38-24 win at Baylor. This year’s rematch originally was scheduled as an Auburn home game. The teams agreed to move the game to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, also the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the Peach Bowl.
The Kickoff Game is the nation’s longest-running neutral-site game and will be televised by ABC at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
Auburn will be making its fourth appearance in the Kickoff Game. It will be Baylor’s first appearance.
Peach Bowl Inc. operates the Peach Bowl as well as the Kickoff Game.
CAMINERO GETS HIT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero was hit by a pitch on the outside of his left hand and immediately left Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.
Caminero was struck by St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien with a 98 mph sinker that didn’t sink in the top of the third inning with the American League up 3-0.
The 23-year-old Caminero, fourth in the major leagues with 28 home runs, stayed down for a few moments before he popped up and ran straight into the clubhouse.
X-rays were negative.
He was replaced by Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox.
Caminero hit 17 total home runs a night earlier at Citizens Bank Park in the Home Run Derby. He hit 45 home runs with 110 RBIs last season, and this season has led the Rays to the top of the AL East.
He batted fourth on Tuesday and became the first Ray to start an All-Star game in two straight seasons. Caminero grounded out in his first at bat against Phillies’ ace and NL starter Cristopher Sánchez.
Caminero -- who advanced to the final round of last season’s Home Run Derby before losing a close contest to Seattle slugger Cal Raleigh -- this season become the youngest player since at least 1900 to homer in six straight games.
TEST OF TIME
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) -- The oldest championship in golf is now the last major of the year.
The British Open dates to 1860 and returns this year to Royal Birkdale, and it’s already different from anything the world’s best players have seen this year. The links course along the Lancashire coast of England is yellow and brown, the sure sign of a fast and firm test.
Scottie Scheffler is trying to become the first repeat winner of the British Open since Padraig Harrington won in 2007 and 2008 -- the second one also was at Royal Birkdale. He also can become only the third player in the last 20 years to go three straight years winning a major.
There are favorites heading into Thursday’s first round and there are inspirations, such as David Howard, the 27-year-old Irish amateur who didn’t even expect to be alive at this stage in his career, much less playing in the Open.
Even though Royal Birkdale did not join the British Open rotation until 1954, this is the 11th time it has hosted golf’s oldest major. And its roll call of champions rivals any other links course. All but one champion at Birkdale is either in the World Golf Hall of Fame or will be.
SCHEFFLER FAVORED
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) -- Scottie Scheffler has been the betting favorite at every major this year, and the British Open is no exception.
But the margins are smaller for the world's No. 1 player whose last win was in January. BetMGM Sportsbook has Scheffler at +750, narrowly ahead of Masters champion Rory McIlroy at +850. The English hopes, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, are at +1400. Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele are at +2500.