AP Sports SummaryBrief at 2:47 p.m. EST

Croatia going deep again at World Cup after shootout win

AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — Croatia is going deep at another World Cup and the team is taking the long route once again. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in his team’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout. The result secured a return to the quarterfinals for the runners-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. Japan had been looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time but fell short again.

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.

Neymar returns to Brazil’s lineup, scores at World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Neymar has started against South Korea in the round of 16 of the World Cup and scored in the first half to move one goal shy of Pelé’s all-time scoring record with Brazil. Neymar converted a 13th-minute penalty kick to help Brazil build a 4-0 lead in the first half with the second goal of the match. Vinícius Júnior, Richarlison and Lucas Paquetá also scored for Brazil. Neymar has 76 goals with Brazil and is one shy of the all-time record set by Pelé. The star forward hadn’t played since injuring his right ankle in the team’s opening match against Serbia.

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.

Pelé to watch Brazil’s World Cup match from the hospital

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian soccer great Pelé says he will be cheering for the country’s national team in its World Cup game against South Korea from the hospital. Pelé has been hospitalized to treat a respiratory infection aggravated by COVID-19 since Tuesday. Pelé recalled on Twitter his 1958 World Cup and shared a photo of his younger self. He writes “I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father. I know that today many have made similar promises and are also seeking their first World Cup.” Several family members say the 82-year-old Pelé is under no imminent risk of death.

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. He said he would watch the match on television. 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.

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.

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.