AP Sports SummaryBrief at 1:02 p.m. EST

Croatia beats Japan in penalty shootout at World Cup

AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in his team’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout at the World Cup. It secured a return to the quarterfinals for the runner-up in the 2018 tournament. Mario Pasalic converted the clinching penalty for Croatia after the teams were tied at 1-1 after extra time. Livakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitomo and Maya Yoshida.

Mbappé is bringing soccer to a new dimension at World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s precision. Lionel Messi’s vision. The speed and power of the original Ronaldo from Brazil. Kylian Mbappé is bringing soccer to a new dimension. As Messi and Ronaldo play what will likely be their final World Cup there shouldn’t be any more questions over who might succeed them as the sport’s new superstar. Mbappé showed that when he scored twice and set up another goal for defending champion France in a 3-1 win over Poland to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament in Qatar.

Panthers waive struggling QB Mayfield, a former No. 1 pick

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have waived struggling quarterback Baker Mayfield after the 2018 No. 1 draft pick asked for his release. Mayfield would be subject to waivers and become a free agent if he goes unclaimed. The move does not come as a surprise, because Sam Darnold replaced Mayfield after his failed second stint as starting quarterback, and the Panthers like what they have in P.J. Walker. The move gives Mayfield a chance to potentially land with a team that needs quarterback help. San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson all suffered injuries over the weekend.

With 99 points in 2 games, Lakers’ Anthony Davis on big roll

Anthony Davis is healthy. His numbers have never been healthier. And, not coincidentally, the Los Angeles Lakers are playing like the team they expected to be. With 99 points in his last two games — his most ever in a span of two regular-season contests — Davis is doing something that few in the league’s history have done before. He shot 40 for 57 from the floor in those games, his 44-point performance at Milwaukee on Friday followed by a 55-point outburst at Washington on Sunday.

Image of Pelé shines bright for Brazilian fans at World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The image of a young Pelé celebrating goals and lifting trophies with Brazil’s national team appeared brightly on the shirts, flags and banners of Brazilian fans gathering before the Seleçao’s World Cup match against South Korea. The 82-year-old Pelé remained in a hospital in Sao Paulo recovering from a respiratory infection that was aggravated by COVID-19. The news coming from Brazil was good. Two daughters and one grandson of the soccer great say he was not under an imminent risk of death. It was reason for celebration for the many Brazilians who have been cheering for the Selecao and showing their support to Pelé in Qatar.

Preseason No. 1 North Carolina drops out of AP Top 25

Houston and Texas remain firmly entrenched atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. The Cougars earned 37 first-place votes to stay at No. 1 for the second straight week. This is the program’s first stint at the top since the “Phi Slama Jama” days of the 1980s. Connecticut has climbed to No. 5 while Tennessee and Alabama cracked the top 10 for the first time. Preseason No. 1 North Carolina has dropped out entirely after losing four straight games.

Stanford’s VanDerveer tops women’s AP Top 25 appearances

Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer stands atop The Associated Press women’s basketball poll with the most appearances all-time, breaking a tie with the late Pat Summitt. VanDerveer’s Cardinal remains No. 2 behind South Carolina. She has spent 592 weeks ranked with Stanford ater 27 weeks in the poll while leading Ohio State. Ohio State, Indiana and Notre Dame round out the top five. Louisville has fallen out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2016.

Future of CFP: How would 12-team playoff look this season?

The College Football Playoff is two years away from expanding, and those involved in growing the format from four to 12 teams have already said those first two seasons will be a test run. They are committed to the basics of the format: 12 teams, six conference champions and six at-large teams, but the door has been left open for tweaks for 2026 and beyond. The field has been for the second-to-last four-team CFP. No. 1 Georgia will play No. 4 Ohio State in the Peach Bowl. No. 2 Michigan faces No. 3 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl. Now, let’s take this season’s final selection committee rankings and apply the future format.

Nick Bollettieri, coach to many tennis stars, dead at age 91

Hall of Fame tennis coach Nick Bollettieri has died at the age of 91. Bollettieri worked with some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Andre Agassi and Monica Seles, and founded an academy that revolutionized the development of young athletes. Bollettieri died Sunday night at home in Florida after a series of health issues, according to his manager, Steve Shulla. Bollettieri helped no fewer than 10 players who went on to be No. 1 in the world rankings. That group includes sisters Serena and Venus Williams, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova, Agassi and Seles. Six of his pupils were elected to the International Hall of Fame and that number is sure to grow.

QBE Shootout to be mixed-team event for PGA and LPGA tours

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson can expect plenty of more LPGA faces next year in the QBE Shootout. The tournament is going to a mixed team event. Players were informed of the move at a meeting in the Bahamas. It will be the first time for PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players to be teammates since the JC Penney Classic ended in 1999. Billy Horschel says the mixed team format is overdue. Players from the JC Penney Classic were happy to hear about the format returning. Dottie Pepper says it will be a big boost, especially for the LPGA Tour.