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Irvin Charles sprinted down the field on the first play of his NFL career and finally lived out the moment he had been dreaming about his entire life

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff could miss the 2024 season after surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his throwing shoulder

Ben Davies has urged Wales to summon up the spirit of reaching the World Cup to beat Croatia and keep their European Championship qualification hopes alive. Turkey’s shock win in Croatia on Thursday night damaged Welsh prospects of claiming a top-two place in Group D. Wales must now realistically beat top seeds Croatia in Cardiff on Sunday and finish with wins over Armenia and Turkey next month to qualify for Euro 2024. By doing so, Wales would qualify for a third successive major tournament – two European Championships either side of the 2022 World Cup. “We know the situation we’re in and it’s definitely going to be challenging,” said Tottenham defender Davies, who will be wearing the Wales armband in the absence of injured captain Aaron Ramsey. “We’ve shown in the past at Cardiff that against good teams we can win games. It’s the same mentality again that we go into it believing anything’s possible. “The two World Cup qualifiers (play-offs against Austria and Ukraine) were big pressure moments for this team. We've shown in the past at Cardiff that against good teams we can win games Ben Davies “Arguably people would say they were better sides than us, but we showed that we’re more than capable of making our home in Cardiff a fortress and making it difficult for the opposition. “We’ve played some of the best teams in Europe there – like Belgium and the Netherlands – and we’ve put good performances in. Playing at home gives us that something special.” Wales have not beaten Croatia in seven games between the two nations. There have been three 1-1 draws, including the March meeting in Split when Nathan Broadhead equalised with virtually the last kick of the match to get Wales’ Euro campaign off to a promising start. Davies said: “They’re a great footballing nation that have had great results over the last 10, 15, 20 years. “They’re a team stacked with quality players playing at the highest level. We know it’s going to be a hard game, but we believe it’s one we can get something out of. “It’s a huge opportunity playing at home. If we can get three points, then it will put us in a better situation going into next month.” Wales warmed up for their Croatia task by sweeping aside friendly opponents Gibraltar 4-0 in Wrexham on Wednesday. It was Wales’ third consecutive clean sheet following shut-outs against South Korea and Latvia last month, the first time the Dragons have achieved that for nearly three years. Number one goalkeeper Danny Ward said: “We got back to what we do best in the last camp, being defensively sound. “That was vital after the summer we had (4-2 and 2-0 defeats to Armenia and Turkey) and we’ve taken that into this camp.” Ward has yet to play for Leicester this season after losing his first-team place at the Sky Bet Championship club, but the 30-year-old insists that is not an issue while he is on Wales duty. He said: “It’s different for a goalkeeper as opposed to an outfield player. “It’s not so much about rhythm, more about bearings, knowing where you are on the pitch, distances, getting up to speed if you like. “That normally doesn’t take too long for our position thankfully.” Read More Matty Jones says late Wales Under-21s draw in Czech Republic ‘feels like a win’ Stephen Kenny under pressure as Ireland’s qualification hopes come to end England and Australia observe silence for those killed in Israel and Gaza Simon Raiwalui ‘in no doubt’ grieving Sam Matavesi will be ready to face England Shubman Gill could return to top of India order against Pakistan Sam Tomkins says Grand Final farewell will only be a fairytale if Catalans win

If Sean McVay’s first child arrives on a Sunday this month, the Los Angeles Rams will have to take the field without him

The 2020s are starting to feel like the 1990s for the Atlanta Braves

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku feels fortunate he only came out of a home accident with burns to his face and arm

Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh will miss his fourth straight game because of an ankle injury when Baltimore plays the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Kylian Mbappe scored twice, including a stunning strike from just outside the box, as France beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Amsterdam to secure Euro 2024 qualification. After putting Les Bleus ahead with a seventh-minute finish, Mbappe added a breathtaking second eight minutes into the second half, exchanging passes with Adrien Rabiot and sending a curling shot over Bart Verbruggen and into the top corner. Quilindschy Hartman reduced the deficit with seven minutes of normal time remaining. The result extended France’s perfect record in Group B to a sixth victory as they rubber-stamped their place in next summer’s finals in Germany with two fixtures to spare. Their opponents dropped from second to third, replaced by Greece – who won 2-0 against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. Georgios Giakoumakis and Georgios Masouras scored in the first half as Ireland’s chances of automatic qualification officially came to an end. Greece are now three points clear of the Netherlands, who have a game in hand. In Group F, Belgium sealed progress to the finals with a 3-2 win away against second-placed Austria. The visitors appeared to be cruising after Dodi Lukebakio’s double and a Romelu Lukaku effort had them three goals up before the hour mark. Things then became less comfortable as Konrad Laimer pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, Belgium were reduced to 10 men by a red card for Amadou Onana six minutes later, and Marcel Sabitzer scored an 84th-minute penalty – but Domenico Tedesco’s side managed to see out the win. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan registered their first win in the group as they beat Estonia 2-0 in Tallinn. Portugal also completed the job of qualification via a 3-2 victory as they defeated Slovakia in Porto, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice. Goncalo Ramos and a Ronaldo penalty had the hosts two goals up at half-time, and after David Hancko’s reply, Ronaldo made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute with his 125th international goal. Stanislav Lobotka netted a second for Slovakia, who are second behind Portugal in Group J. Friday’s other matches in the pool saw Iceland and Luxembourg draw 1-1 in Reykjavik and Bosnia and Herzegovina win 2-0 in Liechtenstein. Read More Newcastle boss Eddie Howe hails Alexander Isak’s battling response against PSG Dan Burn’s dream comes true on a ‘special’ night for Newcastle Alan Shearer leads tributes after Newcastle’s Champions League demolition job Eddie Howe praises Jamaal Lascelles for stepping up as Newcastle stun PSG Eddie Howe staying grounded after Newcastle’s ‘amazing night’ against PSG Newcastle’s local heroes stun PSG to twist a tale of geopolitical tension

Kylian Mbappé has helped France seal qualification for next year’s European Championship by scoring twice in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands for a perfect sixth win in Group B

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges turned himself in to police on Friday, authorities said. An arrest warrant had been issued in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, for the NBA player following a protection order violation stemming from a domestic violence case last year.

U.S. House Republicans on Friday choose Congressman Jim Jordan as their nominee for speaker, Rep. Elise Stefanik said

It is still unclear whether Jim Jordan has enough support to win an overall majority in the House.