The Fort Worth Press

Nigeria beat AFCON hosts Ivory Coast with Troost-Ekong penalty

William Troost-Ekong's second-half penalty gave Nigeria a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, turning up the heat on the host country whose hopes of reaching the last 16 remain in the balance.

NFL names 16 athletes from eight nations to pathway program

Five kicking specialists from England and Ireland are among 16 athletes from eight nations named Thursday to the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program for 2024, the league announced Thursday.

Israel confirms attendance at opening of Paris Olympics

Israel's athletes will join the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in Paris despite security concerns, the country's Games boss told AFP on Thursday.

Australia into Asian Cup last 16, Uzbekistan outclass India

Australia failed to sparkle but joined hosts and holders Qatar in the Asian Cup knockout rounds on Thursday, with Uzbekistan in pole position to join them.

China's Li shares four-way Dubai lead as McIlroy struggles

China's Li Haotong, Dubai Desert Classic champion in 2018, surged to a four-way lead after the first round of the $9 million tournament on Thursday as defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled four shots off the pace.

Galthie picked Alldritt over Ollivon as France captain due to age profile

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday he had selected Gregory Alldritt as captain for the Six Nations in Antoine Dupont's absence as he is younger than regular stand-in Charles Ollivon.

Englishman Cockerill takes over as new coach of Georgia

Former England hooker Richard Cockerill has been appointed the new head coach of Georgia and will also manage the Tblisi-based Black Lion franchise, the Georgian rugby federation announced on Thursday on X.

Sri Lanka clinch T20 series after record low Zimbabwe total

Wanindu Hasaranga's bottom-order demolition eased Sri Lanka to a 2-1 series win against Zimbabwe Thursday after the tourists were bowled out in Colombo for 82, their worst-ever T20 total.

Nsue scores first AFCON hat-trick since 2008 in Equatorial Guinea win

Emilio Nsue scored the first Africa Cup of Nations hat-trick since 2008 as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 on Thursday to close in on a place in the last 16.

Zimbabwe bowled out for record low 82 in Sri Lanka decider

Sri Lanka skipper Wanindu Hasaranga cut through Zimbabwe's bottom order to bowl the tourists out for their worst-ever T20 innings total of 82 in Thursday's series decider in Colombo.

'Mature' Australia edge Syria to reach Asian Cup knockouts

Australia followed hosts and holders Qatar into the last 16 of the Asian Cup with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Syria on Thursday.

Loeb's hopes of Dakar glory in ruins

French rally great Sebastien Loeb's hopes of a first ever Dakar Rally success all but evaporated on Thursday after he was stranded in the desert for more than an hour due to a mechanical problem.

Curtain drops for Eiffel Tower puppet theatre before Paris Games

Julien Sommer has been putting on a puppet show in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower since he was 15, filling his picturesque theatre with starry-eyed children and their parents several times a week.

Former Springbok Elton Jantjies given four-year doping ban

Former South Africa fly-half Elton Jantjies has been banned from rugby for four years after using a prohibited substance, the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) said on Thursday.

Australia edge Syria 1-0 to reach Asian Cup knockouts

Australia followed hosts and holders Qatar into the last 16 of the Asian Cup with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Syria on Thursday.

Blinkova makes history as Alcaraz and Swiatek power on at Australian Open

Unseeded Russian Anna Blinkova shocked last year's runner-up Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open on Thursday, winning the longest tie-break in Grand Slam history as world number one Iga Swiatek came back from the brink.

Rocky Balboa inspiring Alcaraz in Australian Open quest

Carlos Alcaraz revealed Thursday he is a huge fan of the Sylvester Stallone movie franchise 'Rocky' and is using it as motivation at the Australian Open.

Blinkova ousts Rybakina in history-making Australian Open tie-break

Unseeded Russian Anna Blinkova said it was the best day of her life after beating last year's Australian Open runner-up Elena Rybakina Thursday following the longest tie-break in a singles match in Grand Slam history.

Sancho in 'outstanding' shape despite lay-off, says Dortmund's Terzic

Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic on Thursday said returned English winger Jadon Sancho was in "outstanding" condition despite having not played since August.

Japan's Moriyasu dismisses flak over early Asian Cup wobble

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu dismissed Thursday criticism of his team's opening performance at the Asian Cup, saying: "It just shows that people are watching us."

Jordan Henderson leaving Saudi club, having Ajax medical: source

Jordan Henderson has moved a step closer to ending his much-criticised spell with Saudi club Al-Ettifaq by undergoing a medical with Dutch side Ajax, a source close to the negotiations told AFP on Thursday.

Alcaraz marches on at Australian Open as Swiatek roars back

Carlos Alcaraz said he reached a "great level" as he booked his ticket for the Australian Open third round on Thursday after Iga Swiatek staged an astonishing comeback to stay alive.

Dominant Odermatt dreams of Kitzbuehel victory, Kilde absent

All eyes will be on Switzerland's runaway World Cup leader Marco Odermatt when racing on the hallowed snow of Kitzbuehel gets under way this weekend.

Afif helps Qatar exorcise World Cup demons at Asian Cup

Asian Cup hosts and holders Qatar have been on a mission to banish the painful memory of their 2022 World Cup flop and forward Akram Afif is leading the charge.

Hazlewood, Head put Australia in command against West Indies

An inspired spell of bowling from Josh Hazlewood and a brilliant attacking century from Travis Head put Australia in complete control of the first Test against the West Indies in Adelaide on Thursday.

Alcaraz made to work for Australian Open third-round berth

World number two Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set Thursday before rediscovering his mojo to battle into the Australian Open third round, coming good when it mattered.

Stones fan Swiatek keeps music a closely guarded secret at Australian Open

Iga Swiatek refused to reveal the song she was listening to on her headphones at the Australian Open on Thursday, fearing it might become "the anthem of the tournament".

'Spectator' Zverev taken to brink at Australian Open

World number six Alexander Zverev said he felt like a spectator and that Slovak qualifier Lukas Klein deserved to win after being pushed to the limit at the Australian Open on Thursday.

Collins to quit tennis this year after Australian Open exit

Former Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins revealed Thursday she plans to quit tennis this year, saying having children is on her agenda.

Swiatek storms back in Australian Open thriller, Alcaraz in action

Iga Swiatek admitted she was mentally "at the airport" before staging an astonishing comeback against Danielle Collins to stay alive in the Australian Open on Thursday as Carlos Alcaraz returned to action.

Swiatek storms back in Australian Open thriller, Alcaraz back on court