Sports
Scheffler rallies to win 5th PGA Tour of year at BMW Championship
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler lived up to growing claims of his “inevitability” on Sunday, sealing a comeback victory at the season’s penultimate tournament with a decisive finish on the second-to-last hole.
He pitched in from 82 feet for a birdie at the 17th hole and held on to defeat Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre by two shots at the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club.
Scheffler posted a 3-under-par 67 to finish 15-under 265 at the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. He had little trouble surpassing MacIntyre, the sole leader after each of the first three rounds, who struggled to a 3-over 73.
MacIntyre, who totaled just three bogeys over the first three rounds, bogeyed three of his first five holes Sunday to squander a four-shot lead.
Scheffler had an uneven back nine that included two of his three bogeys. But after both he and MacIntyre missed the green at the difficult par-3 17th, Scheffler aimed a perfect pitch shot that took a full 12 seconds to trickle down the length of the green and directly into the hole.
“It was a chip we practiced,” Scheffler said. “I knew how fast it was, and basically it was just trying to get it on the green. It was kind of a bowl pin back there to where everything kind of funnels towards it, and I knew it was just going to be really fast, and do my best to get it down there and give myself a good look for par.
“When it came out, it came out how we wanted to and then it started breaking and it started looking better and better, and yeah, it was definitely nice to see that one go in.”
It was an unusual win for Scheffler in one key way: With his regular caddie, Ted Scott, away this week to tend to a personal matter, Scheffler worked with Mike Cromie, usually the caddie for Chris Kirk.
Scheffler said Cromie did a good job of staying even-keeled – something Scheffler has made his own personal brand in his rise to stardom.
“He’s not a guy that’s going to overreact to anything,” Scheffler said. “He did a really good job of just staying even keel all week and kind of impervious to the pressure of a final round, and he did a really good job.”
Scheffler, 29, earned his fifth win of the PGA Tour season and the 18th of his career – all coming since February 2022. He also finished inside the top eight for the 13th consecutive start, tying a mark set by Tom Weiskopf in 1973.
He will be the heavy favorite to repeat at the Tour Championship next week in Atlanta.
“It’s been a nice stretch the last few years and I’ve done some really good things,” Scheffler said. “It’s nice to get the results from a lot of hard work … It was a battle all the way through. Fortunate to be sitting here.”
Maverick McNealy posted a bogey-free 66 and captured third at 11 under. Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (67) and Sam Burns (68) tied for fourth at 10 under.
MacIntyre hit only half of the fairways and the greens in regulation and did not make a birdie until the par-5 No. 16.
The first hole saw a two-shot swing, as Scheffler played it perfectly for a birdie and MacIntyre missed the fairway, the green and the 7-foot par save.
MacIntyre unraveled. He missed the green in regulation again at Nos. 2 and 5 and failed to save par. The third bogey created a tie with Scheffler at 13 under, and two holes later, Scheffler knocked in a 6-footer for birdie and the outright lead.
Scheffler stuck his approach at the 11th to 3 feet for an easy birdie. His putter acted up on him at Nos. 12 and 14, leading to bogeys from close range, but MacIntyre dropped another shot after missing the green at the par-3 13th.
MacIntyre later called his start “horrific” and said he expected he’d perform Sunday as well as he had Thursday through Saturday, when he shot rounds of 62, 64 and 68.
“Right now I want to go and smash up my golf clubs, to be honest with you,” MacIntyre said.
At the conclusion of the BMW, the top 30 in the FedEx Cup points race advanced to the Tour Championship. Akshay Bhatia secured the 30th and final spot, while Michael Kim and Rickie Fowler were the first two men out after fading late on Sunday.
Both Kim and Fowler were projected inside the top 30 at different points on Sunday, but Fowler had a bogey-double bogey stretch and Kim made two bogeys over his final five holes. Fowler (69) tied for seventh at 7 under with Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (73) and Norway’s Viktor Hovland (69), and Kim (70) placed 10th at 6 under.
Meanwhile, the only player who moved in from outside the top 30 was Englishman Harry Hall. He leapt from 45th to 26th by placing sixth at 8 under par.
“Definitely tee to green I’m swinging it a lot better thanks to (coach Butch Harmon),” Hall said. “Been working a lot on my mental game. Just doing some work there. I think that’s been the consistency for me just in my decision-making, not so much my quality of golf shots.”
Germany have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side still have history in their sights when they face Ecuador in their final Group E match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Thursday.
Die Mannschaft arrive with maximum points from their opening two matches and are guaranteed to finish atop the group. Ecuador, meanwhile, are staring at a potential early exit and may need nothing less than a victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Germany’s campaign began in emphatic fashion with a 7-1 demolition of Curacao before they showed a different side of their game in a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast. Trailing with less than 30 minutes remaining, the four-time world champions turned the match around thanks to substitute Deniz Undav, who struck twice, including a stoppage-time winner that sent Germany into the last 32.
Undav has emerged as one of the tournament’s breakout stars. The Stuttgart forward has contributed three goals and two assists in just two appearances, matching the most goal involvements by a substitute at a single World Cup since detailed records began in 1966. His impact has drawn comparisons with Roger Milla’s legendary supersub performances for Cameroon at the 1990 tournament.
While Germany have not consistently produced their most fluent football, they remain the competition’s highest-scoring team with nine goals. The victory over Ivory Coast also extended their winning streak across all competitions to 11 matches, their best run in nearly half a century.
Another win would equal the national team’s record of 12 consecutive victories, achieved by West Germany between 1979 and 1980. It would also mark Germany’s first perfect World Cup group-stage campaign since the 2006 tournament on home soil.
Despite their attacking firepower, Germany still have defensive questions to answer. They have conceded in five of their last six matches and have not kept a World Cup clean sheet since defeating Argentina in the 2014 final. Nagelsmann will be eager to tighten those weaknesses before the knockout phase begins.
For Ecuador, the tournament has been defined by frustration.
Sebastian Beccacece’s side have collected just one point from their first two matches despite creating enough chances to be in a much stronger position. They struck the woodwork three times before suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast through a late winner, then dominated Curacao in a scoreless draw only to be denied repeatedly by goalkeeper Eloy Room.
La Tri registered 27 shots against Curacao but failed to score, with 15 efforts stopped by Room in one of the standout goalkeeping displays of the tournament.
The inability to convert chances has become a recurring problem. Ecuador drew five of their eight pre-tournament friendlies and played out eight draws during South American qualifying. Since July 2024, they have been involved in nine goalless matches, highlighting a long-standing struggle to turn possession and opportunities into goals.
Currently third in Group E on goal difference, Ecuador realistically need a victory against Germany to have a chance of advancing. Even a draw would likely leave them short of the points required to progress among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
History offers little encouragement. Ecuador have lost both previous meetings with Germany, conceding seven goals and scoring only twice. They are also in danger of becoming just the second South American nation after Bolivia to complete a World Cup campaign without finding the net.
Germany will be forced into at least one change after defender Nico Schlotterbeck was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an ankle injury suffered against Ivory Coast. Antonio Rudiger, Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw are all candidates to step into the starting lineup.
With qualification already secured, Nagelsmann is expected to rotate his squad. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann could be handed a start, while David Raum, Leon Goretzka, Angelo Stiller and Nadiem Amiri are also pushing for opportunities.
The Germany coach has also hinted that Undav’s outstanding form could earn him a place in the starting attack ahead of Kai Havertz. Jamie Leweling and Maximilian Beier are among the options to provide fresh legs in wide positions.
Ecuador enter the match with a fully fit squad and no major injury concerns. Beccacece is expected to remain largely faithful to the team that drew with Curacao, although tactical adjustments could be made.
Alan Franco may move into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and Pedro Vite after operating in defense last time out, while Jordy Alcivar’s place in the side appears less certain.
Much of Ecuador’s hopes will rest on veteran captain Enner Valencia. The 36-year-old remains the country’s all-time leading scorer and is one goal away from reaching the 50-goal milestone for his national team. Valencia is expected to lead the line alongside Gonzalo Plata as Ecuador seek the goals that have so far eluded them.
England’s Three Lions and Ghana’s Black Stars have crossed paths before at the FIFA World Cup, but the tone and outcome could not have been more different.
This time, Carlos Queiroz guided his side to a disciplined draw that could prove crucial in the race for a place in the round of 32. England controlled long spells of possession Tuesday but were repeatedly denied in a rain-soaked 0-0 stalemate.
“Our plan was to block and frustrate them from the first minute,” Queiroz said. “We did it.”
Four years earlier in Qatar, Queiroz was in charge of Iran when they were beaten 6-2 by England. This time, England again created the bulk of the chances, outshooting Ghana 19-1, but could not find a breakthrough as late pressure went unrewarded.
“Frustrated a little bit with how they defended, how they set up,” England midfielder Jude Bellingham said. “They got exactly out of the game what they played for. We couldn’t quite break them down, even with all the corners, all the possession, all the shots from distance.”
Both teams won their opening matches at this year’s tournament, with Ghana beating Panama 1-0 and England defeating Croatia 4-2. Both still have work to do in Group L before securing a spot in the knockout round at the first 48-team World Cup.
England reached the quarterfinals at the 2022 tournament, where it lost to France. Ghana has not reached the knockout stage since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
With the expanded field, the best eight third-place teams will also advance, giving both sides a strong chance heading into their final group matches.
England will next play Panama on Saturday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ghana will face Panama at the same time in Philadelphia.
The Three Lions had a chance to take the lead in the 86th minute when Nico O’Reilly’s header struck the crossbar. Harry Kane collected the rebound but could not get enough on his left-footed effort, sending it over.
Ghana’s best chance came in the 78th minute when Abdul Fatawu outmuscled England midfielder Eberechi Eze and broke down the sideline. He squared the ball to Prince Adu, who was challenged from behind by Ezri Konsa before he could shoot. Adu appealed for a penalty, but it was not given.
“It was a clear penalty, if not a red card,” Queiroz said. “We have no doubts about that.”
England coach Thomas Tuchel said he was surprised by Ghana’s setup, as they defended in a 4-5-1 formation. He also described Ghana’s approach as one of the most physical he has seen in the tournament.
“They defended with a lot of determination, a lot of discipline,” Tuchel said.
Tuchel added that England was not overly dependent on Kane, the striker who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“He was not involved as much as we would like him to be, but it was so narrow,” Tuchel said. “It was difficult to find space. The little moments he had were just unlucky.”
In the first half, England held 60% possession but managed only five attempts on goal, with Kane missing a close-range chance just before halftime.
Ghana increased its intensity after the break, coming close in the 50th minute when Marvin Senaya got a touch inside the box, but his effort was blocked by the England defense.
Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare earned a clean sheet in his first World Cup start.
“I think we did our best to get the result we were hoping for,” Ghana midfielder Kwasi Sibo said. “It’s just the plan of the coach, and we followed it.”
The final whistle of Group D will carry sharply different meanings for the United States and Türkiye when they meet at Los Angeles Stadium, with one side already looking ahead to the knockout rounds and the other left to salvage pride after a campaign that has unraveled early.
The journey to California has still drawn attention for the Turkish squad. The Türkiye national football team arrived in Los Angeles after leaving their Arizona base, flying in before boarding team transport to their hotel. The reception was immediate and loud.
Turkish supporters in the city turned out in numbers, lining roads from the airport and later gathering outside the team hotel with flags and convoy-style support that briefly turned the squad’s arrival into a rolling show of backing.
On the pitch, however, the story has been far more difficult.
A 1-0 defeat to Paraguay and an earlier setback have already eliminated Türkiye from contention, exposing a gap between expectation and execution for a side still trying to find a stable identity under Vincenzo Montella.
What once looked like a potential breakout tournament for a young core has instead become a search for answers, especially in attack, where goals have been scarce and momentum has stalled.
Even so, Türkiye’s final outing still carries individual stakes.
Kenan Yıldız is expected to return after a calf strain, offering a boost in creativity and forward thrust. Hakan Çalhanoğlu stands on the edge of history, level with Tuncay Şanlı on 22 international goals and within reach of third place on the nation’s all-time scoring list.
In goal, Uğurcan Çakır is approaching another milestone among Türkiye’s most capped clean-sheet keepers, while Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Arda Güler continue to represent the attacking promise that briefly surfaced in flashes during the campaign.
Across the field, the United States have been the opposite story: efficient, aggressive, and already through. The USMNT have secured top spot in the group after two wins, including a controlled 2-0 result over Australia that confirmed their place in the last 16 with a game to spare.
That early qualification has shifted the focus from survival to momentum. A third straight win would set a new World Cup record for the US program, marking the first time they have ever opened a tournament with three consecutive victories. It would also further strengthen Mauricio Pochettino’s influence, as the Argentine coach seeks to build a tournament identity rooted in pressing intensity and fast transitions.
Even without captain Christian Pulisic for extended spells during the group stage, the Americans have shown balance in attack. Their ability to strike early has stood out, scoring inside the first 15 minutes in both matches, a rare achievement for a host nation at this level of competition. Their aggressive pressing numbers have also been among the highest in the tournament, reflecting a side willing to take risks without the ball and compress space high up the pitch.
The US also enter the match with strategic decisions to make. Several players, including Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson, sit one yellow card away from suspension, increasing the likelihood of rotation. Balogun remains a key subplot in attack, chasing a rare scoring milestone for an American forward in World Cup history.
There is also the matter of squad management and rhythm. With qualification already secured, the coaching staff must balance continuity with caution, ensuring key players are fresh for the knockout stage while avoiding a drop in intensity that has defined their group-stage performances so far.
History between the two sides adds another layer. The United States defeated Türkiye 2-1 in a friendly in 2014, while Türkiye claimed victory in their most recent meeting last year, keeping the head-to-head relatively balanced. This time, however, the context is entirely different, with one side playing for legacy within a tournament and the other playing for survival within reputation.
Erling Haaland powered Norway into the World Cup round of 32, scoring twice as the Vikings battled past Senegal 3-2 on Monday night in a match that demanded far more grit than glamour.
The prolific striker increased his tournament tally to four goals, continuing his remarkable scoring run as Norway secured their place in the knockout stage.
“It’s my specialty to score goals,” Haaland said. “I’m just really good at scoring goals.”
After the final whistle, Norway’s players and staff gathered in front of their supporters behind the north goal at MetLife Stadium to celebrate in trademark fashion. With Haaland seated at the front and captain Martin Odegaard beating a bongo drum, the squad joined fans in performing the famous Viking Row, chanting “Ro!” while mimicking rowing motions.
“It was fun,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said through an interpreter. “We will not be rowing after the World Cup, but it can be a nice tradition during the tournament.”
Norway took the lead in the 43rd minute when substitute Marcus Pedersen struck shortly after coming on for an injured teammate. Haaland then took control after halftime, finding the net in the 48th and 58th minutes to stretch the advantage to 3-1 and put the Vikings firmly on course for the knockout rounds.
“He’s very efficient,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said through an interpreter.
Haaland ran onto Martin Odegaard’s pass and put a left-footed shot past the outstretched left hand of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, capping an end-to-end counterattack for a 2-0 lead.
For his second goal, Haaland tunneled through the defense and, 8 yards out, raised his weaker right foot to volley in Patrick Berg’s pass. Haaland raised a hand to his ear to inspire Norway’s supporters.
Haaland has 24 goals in his last 12 international games, scoring at least once in every match, and 59 goals in 52 international appearances. The 25-year-old striker joined England’s Harry Kane in 2018 as the only players in the last 50 years with two-goal games in both of their first two World Cup appearances.
He is second in the Golden Boot race, one behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi and tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe. Haaland nearly got another in first-half stoppage time, hitting a post after Mendy lost control of the ball.
“He did miss an open goal. He could have scored even four,” Solbakken said. “He is the best striker. He is not playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway.”
Ismaila Sarr scored both goals for the Lions of Teranga, in the 53rd minute and the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
“If we had played just slightly worse, then we would be in trouble,” Solbakken said.
Making its first World Cup appearance since 1998, Norway (2-0) is assured of advancing from Group I along with France. The Vikings need to beat Les Bleus on Friday for first place and what would appear to be an easier path through the knockout bracket.
Senegal is 0-2 in a World Cup for the first time and needs a win over Iraq (0-2) to have any chance of advancing as a third-place team.
“We’ve got everything left to play for,” Thiaw said.
Pedersen entered in the 13th minute for his World Cup debut after Julian Ryerson could not play through what Solbakken said was a nagging injury, and Pedersen put the Vikings ahead with the help of mistakes by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Mendy.
Odegaard made a centering pass that Koulibaly cleared straight to Pedersen at the top of the arc. Pedersen took two touches and sent a savable shot inside the near post that glanced off Mendy’s left hand and into the goal.
Mendy left in the 63rd minute because of an injury.
While there had been storm warnings, a downpour stopped more than 3 1/2 hours before kickoff. The skies opened again after the final whistle, prompting announcements for fans to leave the stadium bowl and move to sheltered areas.
“Let’s be happy,” Haaland said, “every single Norwegian on the planet today.”
Brazil head into their final Group C match at the 2026 World Cup with qualification control in their hands, while Scotland arrive in Miami still chasing a breakthrough that has eluded them for generations, setting up a high-stakes meeting at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have done what was required so far, opening with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before producing a more complete display in a 3-0 win over Haiti.
Matheus Cunha’s brace and a sharp finish from Vinicius Junior underlined Brazil’s attacking range, while Lucas Paqueta’s influence between the lines gave balance to a performance that combined control with speed in transition.
The result also reinforced a familiar trend for the five-time champions, who have now scored three or more goals in 41 World Cup matches, more than any other nation.
Despite that statistical dominance, Selecao’s path has not been without unease.
Their opening draw exposed moments of vulnerability, and history offers a warning sign: their last three World Cup group-stage defeats have all come on matchday three.
Even so, the equation is simple. Match or better Morocco’s result against Haiti and Brazil finish top of Group C. Anything less tightens the margin and opens the door to complication.
Scotland enter the fixture with less control but more urgency. Steve Clarke’s team began their campaign with a disciplined 1-0 win over Haiti, but a narrow defeat to Morocco exposed their limits in attack.
An early strike from Ismael Saibari decided the contest inside 70 seconds, and Scotland failed to register a shot on target despite periods of second-half pressure. Clarke defended the performance, pointing to competitiveness against elite opposition, yet the lack of cutting edge remains the central concern.
Their World Cup history only sharpens the challenge. Scotland have never reached the knockout stage in eight previous appearances and have never beaten Brazil in eight meetings, losing six and drawing two.
Three of those defeats came at World Cup finals, including a 2-1 loss in 1998 during Brazil’s run to the title match.
The path forward remains open but narrow. Victory would guarantee a top-two finish and automatic progression.
A draw would likely be enough for a place in the expanded knockout rounds. Even defeat could be survivable depending on goal difference, but it would leave Scotland vulnerable in a tightly packed group.
Selection issues add another layer for Clarke. Scott McKenna, Aaron Hickey and Lewis Ferguson have all been managed carefully due to fitness concerns, though Ferguson is expected to remain central in midfield if cleared.
Clarke is likely to keep his flexible structure, alternating between a back three and a back four depending on Brazil’s pressure.
John McGinn and Scott McTominay are expected to operate in advanced midfield roles, supporting Che Adams, who is battling for his place up front.
Canarinhos’ selection picture has shifted slightly.
Raphinha is out after a hamstring injury sustained in the win over Haiti, forcing adjustments on the right side.
Teenage winger Rayan is the leading candidate to replace him.
Neymar has returned to full availability after injury, though he is expected to start on the bench as Brazil continue to rely on Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha as their primary attacking threat. Paqueta is expected to remain the central connector in Ancelotti’s system.
At the back, Brazil are likely to stick with a settled unit featuring Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes and Douglas Santos, shielded by Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes.
The structure has provided stability, but the real test will be whether it can withstand Scotland’s direct pressure and set-piece threat in a match where margins are expected to be thin.
Lionel Messi broke another World Cup milestone on Monday night while wearing a jersey unlike any other on the pitch, as Argentina defeated Austria in Group J and the veteran forward extended his place in football history.
The 38-year-old Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, moving past Germany’s Miroslav Klose after netting his 17th and 18th goals in the competition during a 2-0 win over Austria.
The landmark strike came in a match that began with frustration, as Messi missed an early penalty, before ending with another decisive display of his enduring influence on the global stage.
What set the night apart visually was his shirt. Unlike any other player at the tournament, Messi wore a customized jersey featuring four FIFA-issued commemorative patches.
The design included a FIFA World Champions badge honoring Argentina’s 2022 triumph, a gold tournament sleeve badge reserved for former world champions, a Legacy patch marking his sixth World Cup appearance, and a Golden Ball patch recognizing his player-of-the-tournament award in Qatar.
The record-breaking goal arrived in the 38th minute, finishing a move that exposed space in Austria’s defensive line and showcased the timing that has defined his career. He added a second in stoppage time, sealing both the match and his place alone at the top of the tournament’s scoring charts with 18 goals, surpassing Klose’s long-standing mark of 16.
Messi’s journey to this moment spans two decades at the World Cup. He debuted in 2006 as a teenager and scored on his first appearance, becoming Argentina’s youngest player at the tournament. Now in his sixth edition, a record for any player, he continues to produce decisive moments deep into his career.
His 2022 campaign remains his defining chapter, leading Argentina national football team to the title with seven goals and three assists. This time, he has already shown similar sharpness, including a hat trick earlier in the tournament against Algeria, reinforcing his status as the focal point of Argentina’s attack.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick had warned his side about Messi’s ability to find space even in tightly structured systems. Those concerns proved accurate, as Argentina controlled key phases despite a missed penalty that briefly silenced the crowd.
Messi later described the match as tense and demanding, stressing the intensity of World Cup football at this stage of his career. With his 39th birthday approaching, this tournament is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, though his form continues to suggest otherwise.
Even after winning the sport’s biggest prize, multiple Ballon d’Or awards, and redefining expectations over two decades, Messi continues to add layers to his legacy. This latest night, defined by both history and a unique jersey detail, only reinforced how central he remains to football’s biggest stage.
Kylian Mbappe later equaled Klose’s previous record of 16 goals, but the night belonged entirely to Messi, who now stands alone at the summit.
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