AP Sports SummaryBrief at 2:48 p.m. EST

Morocco reaches World Cup semifinals, tops Portugal, Ronaldo

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 to likely end Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of winning soccer’s biggest prize. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East. The 37-year-old Ronaldo is one of soccer’s greatest players. He didn’t start for the second straight game but came on as a substitute in the 51st minute. Morocco will play either France or England in the semifinals.

US soccer journalist Grant Wahl dies at World Cup

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped grow the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, dies while covering a World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands. He was 48. The organizing committee said Wahl received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital. Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup. He wrote Monday that he had visited a medical clinic while in Qatar and was given antibiotics and cough syrup for a possible case of bronchitis.

Memorial to American writer Wahl placed at World Cup game

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — American soccer writer Grant Wahl has been honored with a tribute from FIFA on the desk where he was due to work at the World Cup quarterfinal match between France and England. A posy of white lilies and a framed photograph of Wahl taken in Qatar was left at the media seat that had been assigned to the 48-year-old journalist. He died while working at the World Cup in the early hours of Saturday. FIFA says “tonight we pay tribute to Grant Wahl at his assigned seat in Al Bayt Stadium. He should have been here.” Wahl fell ill while working during extra time of the Argentina-Netherlands game on Friday at Lusail Stadium.

Again a substitute, Ronaldo’s World Cup comes to an end

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — There will be no World Cup title for Cristiano Ronaldo in what was likely his last appearance at soccer’s biggest tournament. He was on the bench at the start for the second straight match and couldn’t help Portugal come back to beat Morocco. The Portuguese lost 1-0 in the quarterfinals. The 37-year-old Ronaldo walked off the field in tears. Ronaldo came on as a substitute early in the second half with his team already losing. He replaced midfielder Rúben Neves in the 51st minute for his 196th international men’s appearance. That was the most of all time along with Kuwait forward Badr Al-Mutawa.

Messi snarls, taunts and thrills in World Cup classic

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi was going to do anything to get to the World Cup semifinals whether it was in the rule book or not. Soccer fans saw another side to Messi in Argentina’s wild penalty-shootout victory over the Netherlands. Everyone knows about his outrageous skills, his mesmerizing dribbling ability and his relentless goalscoring. But here he was scrapping, snarling, taunting. There’s a street-fighter mentality that is never far from the surface when it comes to Argentina’s national team and it revealed itself against the Dutch in a match that boiled over on numerous occasions. Messi was right in the middle of it

Griner’s home, but WNBA players still competing overseas

More than half of WNBA players are competing abroad this winter to supplement their incomes. But due to the 10-month saga that All-Star Brittney Griner endured in Russia, her colleagues avoided that country and are fanned out in Australia, Turkey, Italy and other places. Griner returned to the United States on Friday after a high-level prisoner exchange. The WNBA and NBA salaries are vastly different. And playing overseas can be lucrative for professional women’s players. But the WNBA has increased its marketing deals with players to have them stay in the U.S. during the offseason and promote the league.

Stanford hires Sac State’s Troy Taylor to replace David Shaw

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Stanford has hired Sacramento State coach Troy Taylor to replace David Shaw and lead a football program that has had three losing seasons in the last four years. The 54-year-old Taylor has spent the last four seasons as head coach at Sacramento State. He led the Hornets to the FCS playoffs three times. Sacramento State went 30-8 with a 23-1 record in the tough Big Sky Conference under Taylor. The Hornets lost a wild quarterfinal playoff game Friday night, 66-63 against Incarnate Word. Shaw stepped down last month after 12 seasons following the final game of a 3-9 season.

Georgia QB Bennett is old-school Heisman Trophy contender

NEW YORK (AP) — Thirteen of the last 14 Heisman Trophy winners to enter the NFL have done so as first-round draft picks, including all 11 quarterbacks. Stetson Bennett is a contender from another era of college football. The Georgia quarterback already has a national championship ring. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Bennett is no lock to be drafted at all, but has become a bona fide college football star. Bennett is one of four Heisman finalist quarterbacks along with USC’s Caleb Williams, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and TCU’s Max Duggan.

Buffalo’s Skinner suspended 3 games for illegal cross-check

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL has suspended Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner for three games for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel. The two had an altercation late in the third period of what became a 4-3 overtime win for Pittsburgh. The two exchanged slashes before Skinner cross-checked Guentzel twice. The second cross-check was to Guentzel’s head. The league’s Department of Player Safety ruled Saturday that Skinner “aggressively and purposefully” hit Guentzel. This is the second suspension of Skinner’s 13-year career. He was suspended two games in 2012 for kicking an opponent while playing for Carolina.

Lopez layup, Mavs FT woes save Bucks after Giannis fouls out

DALLAS (AP) — Brook Lopez hit a wide-open layup off an inbounds play with seven seconds to go, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-105. The Bucks held on despite Giannis Antetokounmpo fouling out with 2:55 remaining. The Greek Freak finished with 28 points to end an eight-game run with at least 30 points. Luka Doncic had 33 points and 11 assists and put Dallas ahead on a layup with 29 seconds to go. But the Mavericks couldn’t make their free throws late. The Bucks won their fourth consecutive game while ending Dallas’ three-game winning streak.