AP Sports SummaryBrief at 1:19 p.m. EST

Brittney Griner back home in US after Russian prisoner swap

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Brittney Griner has returned to the United States, nearly 10 months after the basketball star’s detention in Russia made her the most high-profile American jailed abroad and set off a political firestorm. Griner’s status as an openly gay Black woman, her prominence in women’s basketball and her imprisonment in a country where authorities have been hostile to the LGBTQ community brought tremendous attention to her case. Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine after her arrest complicated matters further. The deal saw Griner exchanged Thursday for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout. But the U.S. failed to win freedom for another American. Asked if more such swaps could happen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that “everything is possible.”

Croatia beats Brazil on penalties in World Cup quarterfinals

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup by beating the five-time champions 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved a penalty attempt by Rodrygo and Marquinhos later hit the post. Neymar had scored late in the first half of extra time to give Brazil the lead but Croatia equalized when Bruno Petkovic scored in the 117th. Neymar’s goal moved him into a tie with Pelé as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. Croatia will next face either Argentina or the Netherlands.

Neymar ties Pelé’s all-time record with Brazil at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Neymar has moved into a tie with Pelé as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. The Brazil forward scored in the first half of extra time of his team’s World Cup quarterfinal match against Croatia. Pelé remained in a hospital in Brazil treating a respiratory infection that was aggravated by COVID-19. The latest medical report said the 82-year-old Pelé was doing OK. The 30-year-old Neymar scored his 77 goals in 124 matches for Brazil. Pelé’s goals came in 92 appearances with the national team between 1957 and 1971.

England out to stop World Cup’s ‘irresistible force’ Mbappé

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — England’s players have been asked one question on repeat as they prepare to face France in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday. How do you stop Kylian Mbappé?  Hardly surprising, given Mbappé is the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals and is widely considered the man to succeed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as soccer’s biggest star.

Ronaldo, Portugal look to end Morocco’s World Cup run

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team will look to end Morocco’s surprising World Cup run that has brought joy to African soccer and the Arab world. Whether Ronaldo starts Saturday’s quarterfinal match remains in doubt after he was dropped for Portugal’s round-of-16 win over Switzerland. Morocco has secured a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time in a great way to the mark the first World Cup to take place in the Middle East. Morocco is looking to become the first African country to reach the semifinals at soccer’s biggest tournament and is the only team from outside Europe or South America to advance to the last eight in Qatar.

Analysis: Dominant Eagles’ o-line worthy of MVP talk

If a unit could win the Most Valuable Player award, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line would be the frontrunner. Jalen Hurts is among the top candidates for AP NFL MVP mainly due to a dominant line that protects him and paves the way for one of the league’s best rushing attacks. The Eagles are 11-1 for the fourth time in franchise history thanks to a dynamic offense and stingy defense. The success on offense starts up front. Four-time All-Pro center Jason Kelce anchors the offensive line. Kelce is the heart and soul of the team and the city. He’s joined by three-time Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson, left tackle Jordan Mailata, right guard Isaac Seumalo and left guard Landon Dickerson.

Navy tries to salvage rough season with win against Army

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Army and Navy will play each other on Saturday for the 123rd time. It will be the 90th time in Philadelphia and 14th time at Lincoln Financial Field. Navy leads the series 62-53-7 and is 11-2 at the Linc against the Black Knights. Army has 11 players with at least 100 rushing yards this season and is averaging 304 rushing yards per game. That’s second best in the country.  Navy has won two games this season without completing a pass. Navy does have a school-record 32 sacks this season and 10 in the last two games.

Tage Thompson’s 5-goal outing showcases his sizeable ability

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Tage Thompson has gone from being an oversized afterthought on the Buffalo Sabres roster to becoming one of the NHL’s breakout stars. The 6-foot-6 Thompson scored five times in Buffalo’s 9-4 win over Columbus. He has now scored 59 goals and 108 points in his past 104 games after managing just 18 goals and 35 points in his first 145. The jump in production coincides with coach Don Granato’s decision to shift Thompson from a secondary winger role to centering one of Buffalo’s top lines.

Morocco coach skeptical World Cup can open door to Europe

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco coach Walid Regragui has guided his team to the World Cup quarterfinals. It’s the first time an Arab nation has advanced that far in the tournament. One might think that would be enough to get him linked to a top European job. Regragui isn’t so sure. He sounded skeptical Friday when asked if he is helping change perceptions about coaches from the region.  The coach said that “maybe it’s a cultural question. Maybe it’s a mentality.” Regragui is part of a progressive wave at this World Cup with all five African teams led by coaches from their home country.