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The Atlanta Braves have added another veteran left-hander to their bullpen by acquiring Brad Hand from the Colorado Rockies

The Southeastern Conference is leaning on help from high-profile transfers to replace some of the departed star power at quarterback

Wisconsin wildlife officials have revised their new wolf management plan to recommend maintaining the statewide population at around 1,000 animals

The Minnesota Lynx lost their first six games but have rebounded nicely to reach

Organizers of a Wisconsin aircraft convention say the daughter of two-time Super Bowl winner Bruce Collie was killed in a crash this weekend

Rachel Daly paid tribute to her late father after scoring her first World Cup goal in England’s win against China. The Lionesses won 6-1 to emphatically secure the top spot in Group D and book their place in the knockout rounds, with Daly rounding off the scoring in the 84th minute. After netting her first-ever World Cup goal, the 31-year-old was seen kissing her wristband with the word ‘Dad’ on it. Daly lost her father, Martyn, in September 2021. “He was the reason I played football, going back to birth really,” the England star has previously said. “I don’t think I’d have got that passion for the game if it wasn’t for him.” Read More England fans celebrate at Boxpark as Lionesses score against Denmark in World Cup Gaelic football commentator expertly carries on after spilling water on equipment Watch: Moment Trent Alexander-Arnold told he will be Liverpool’s vice-captain

Much like Lauren James’ divine second goal, this might be dropping beautifully for England. Certainly, Sarina Wiegman suddenly has clarity in a World Cup characterised by uncertainty and unpredictability. James’ very role illustrates that. The young winger’s influence from that wide role was a driving force in this crushing 6-1 win over China, that confirmed an expected first place. It is a first place, however, that suddenly looks very different. The sight of the semi-finals, at least, is something else that’s so much clearer. It now won’t feature Australia or Canada, and may not have any of France, Brazil or Germany. A thrilling Colombia and dangerous last-16 opponents Nigeria are huge threats, but there is the prospect that such developing teams have had their main highs. Just as importantly, the World Cup’s stand-out performers so far, in Japan, are on the other side of the draw. On that, and the elusive momentum that defines tournaments, England now have none of the sudden doubts that are afflicting other previous favourites in Spain and - above all - USA. This is what was even more encouraging about this display than the scoreline, even if that was a badly-needed big win, amid the context of a very disappointing China. The only potential slip here came for Chloe Kelly’s gift of a fifth goal, although even that was from James’ genius. Part of that, though, was through the commanding competence of Wiegman. She may have found another solution. It shouldn’t be overlooked that the England manager went into this campaign with more issues to solve than all of those sides. They were here missing Keira Walsh, to go with Leah Williamson and Beth Mead. And yet it might have led to a formation that just fits. Having worked on a few different systems in the last few days, Wiegman opted for the 3-5-2 that really stood out for the players. It seemed to address most of their flaws, while adding to their strengths. With a reshaped midfield led by the increasingly important Georgia Stanway - conspicuously taken off at half-time due to her previous yellow card - England were much more difficult to open up. There were none of the sudden breaks that made the previous two 1-0 wins so fraught. It also offered security for England’s attackers to cut loose. Three of the players who needed goals, got goals, in Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and - eventually, with a driving late strike, Rachel Daly. The Hemp goal may not have had the bombast of either of James’, or even Daly’s, but it was perhaps the most significant so far in that it was not a piece of genius out of nothing. It is a fluid team movement, Millie Bright bursting through, James flicking it on and Hemp taking it on in such a smooth manner to slide it past Zhu Yu in one moment. Wondrous. It was still James that took the stage, though, in a display that represented such an exciting escalation from her match-winning performance against Denmark. It was actually quite satisfying in how you can so clearly see a player getting better with more comfort, now flying on the sort of trajectory that is a tradition for triumphant young players coming into their own in a tournament. She may yet make this World Cup her own. Her three strikes were themselves an escalation in quality, the only pity being the second of those was ruled out. She certainly isn’t afraid to let fly from distance, though, which is another dangerous weapon for England. It offers an out in any situation. But the third goal emphasised she can offer genius from any situation. As inviting as that dropping ball from Jess Carter was for James’ second goal, it still takes a lot to get right. It wasn’t just right, it was perfect. It would have added up to a perfect close to the group for England, especially after how difficult it had been, but for one blemish. Mary Earps has now conceded a goal, albeit from a somewhat debatable penalty decision maximised by Wang Shuang. The irony was of course this was the most secure England have looked. A much sterner threat is to come. England need only look at the fates of Australia and Canada to stave off complacency at the fact they are facing neither. Nigeria beat the former to make the hosts’ group stage much more nervy than it might have been, and ultimately eliminated Canada. They will now more than fancy their chances of eliminating England. It just isn’t the same England as even Monday. That is the rhythm of a tournament. Teams will now start to find their feet, especially after two weeks of competitive football, and the dawning reality of the knock-outs. The mood of the final week could be very different to now. The mood around England is certainly different to a week ago. Read More When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Why was Lauren James goal against China controversially disallowed? Lauren James: England’s mercurial forward who has found goalscoring touch at World Cup Sarina Wiegman’s brave England switch solves key Women’s World Cup problem Millie Bright: England’s captain leading Lionesses into last-16 of Women’s World Cup When do USA women play next? World Cup fixtures and route to the final

Ana Capeta hit the post

The United States survived an almighty scare to advance from the Women’s World Cup group stage - keeping alive hopes of a third successive title. Portugal hit the post late to ensure the United States avoided an early exit at the group stages. The defending champions opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory against Vietnam but were held to a 1-1 draw by the Netherlands, in what was a rematch of their 2019 World Cup final. And the goalless draw against Portugal has prompted widespread criticism back home, including from legendary American player Carli Lloyd. The USA progress as runners-up from Group E, behind the Netherlands, who thrashed Vietnam 7-0. Here’s everything you need to know about the next match for the USA: Who are the United States playing at the World Cup? The defending champion USA were drawn alongside Netherlands, Portugal and Vietnam in Group E. They opened their title defence with a 3-0 win against Vietnam, with Sophia Smith scoring twice, before Lindsey Horan’s second-half equaliser rescued a point against the Netherlands after they trailed at the break. There is still work to do in their final fixture against Portugal, although a win or draw would confirm a spot in the knockout stages. When are the USA’s group matches? (All times ET) 22 July - USA 3-0 Vietnam 27 July - USA 1-1 Netherlands 1 August - USA vs Portugal (3am ET) What is the USA’s potential path to the final? (All times ET) If the USA win Group E 5 August - Winners Group E vs Runners-up Group G (22:00, Sydney) 10 August - Winner Match 49 vs Winner Match 51 (21:00, Wellington) 15 August - Winner QF1 vs Winner QF 2 (04:00, Auckland) 20 August: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (07:00, Sydney) If the USA finish runner-up in Group E 6 August: Winners Group G vs Runners-up Group E (05:00, Melbourne) 11 August: Winner Match 50 vs Winner Match 52 (03:30, Auckland) 15 August: SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF 2 (04:00, Auckland) 20 August: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (07:00, Sydney) Group E standings 1. USA - 4 points (+3 goal difference) 2. Netherlands - 4 points (+1) 3. Portugal - 3 points (+1) 4. Vietnam (E) - 0 points (-5) Results and fixtures USA 3-0 Vietnam Netherlands 1-0 Portugal USA 1-1 Netherlands Portugal 2-0 Vietnam Vietnam vs Netherlands (8am BST) Portugal vs USA (8am BST) How does each team qualify? United States - The USA will qualify for the last-16 as long as they do not lose to Portugal. They will finish top of Group E if Netherlands draw or lose, or if they win by a greater margin than the Dutch. Netherlands - The Netherlands will qualify with a win or draw against Vietnam. The Netherlands could still qualify with a defeat, as long as they had a better goal difference than the USA. Portugal - Portugal will reach the last-16 if they beat the USA but will be out if they lose. If Portugal draw, they would require the Netherlands to lose Vietnam by at least two goals. Vietnam - Cannot qualify for the knockout stages. Read More Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup group tables and standings: How can each team qualify? Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today USA’s narrow escape spells the end of Women’s World Cup dominance Jess Carter: England defender brought back in by Sarina Wiegman for China clash Katie Zelem: Lioness star making her World Cup start vs China

Megan Rapinoe’s energy as a second-half substitute could not spark the United States, which slipped through to the round of 16 in the Women's World Cup with an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Portugal on Tuesday

Ryan McMahon hit a sacrifice fly with the bases load in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Colorado Rockies to a 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night

Cal Raleigh hit a pair of solo home runs off Nick Pivetta, Julio Rodríguez added a two-run single as part of a four-run eighth inning, and the Seattle Mariners moved a season-best four games over