AP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:57 p.m. EST

US knocked out of World Cup, loses to the Netherlands 3-1

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Memphis Depay and Daley Blind scored in the first half and Denzel Dumfries added a late goal as the Netherlands eliminated the United States from the World Cup with a 3-1 victory that advanced the Dutch to the quarterfinals. Second-half substitute Haji Wright cut the U.S. deficit to 2-1 in the 76th minute when Christian Pulisic’s cross hit his trailing foot and popped over goalkeeper Andries Noppert and into the net. Dumfries assisted on the first two goals and scored on a volley in the 81st. The Oranje extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games and face Argentina or Australia next.

American fans captivated by US team’s World Cup run

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — The United States soccer team captivated the nation with its brief World Cup run. That run ended Saturday with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16. The second-youngest team at the tournament played only four games but it was enough to thrill diehard supporters in Doha and briefly unite a fractured nation back home. Fans gathered outside the stadium ahead of Saturday’s match to bond over the American team before they marched in together as a collective fan club. United States captain Tyler Adams says “the support has been amazing.”

Messi scores, Argentina beats Australia 2-1 at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi marked his 1,000th professional game with his first goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup to lead into the quarterfinals with a Argentina to a 2-1 win over Australia. Messi put Argentina ahead in the 34th minute with his third goal at this year’s tournament and ninth in total at the World Cup. That’s one more than Diego Maradona. Julián Álvarez pounced on a heavy touch by Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan to tap into an empty net for the second goal as Argentina set up a meeting with the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Australia scored a 77th-minute consolation goal when Craig Goodwin’s shot deflected in.

Pelé responding well to treatment for respiratory infection

SAO PAULO (AP) — The Albert Einstein hospital says Brazilian soccer great Pelé is responding well to treatment for a respiratory infection and his health condition has not worsened over the latest 24 hours. The 82-year-old Pelé has been at the hospital since Tuesday.  Get well messages have poured in from around the world for the three-time World Cup winner as he also undergoes cancer treatment. Pelé’s daughter posted several pictures on Instagram from Brazil fans in Qatar wishing her father well with flags and banners. Buildings in the Middle Eastern nation also displayed messages in support of the former soccer great.

Rust issues? Deshaun Watson’s long layoff could be factor

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson may be a bit rusty when he plays his first game in nearly two years this weekend. The Cleveland Browns quarterback will face the Houston Texans, his former team. Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of this season after two dozen women accused him of sexual harassment and assault. He’s practiced for two weeks, but that’s not the same as playing. When he takes the field, it will be 700 days since his last regular-season game. In that game on Jan. 3, 2021, Watson passed for 365 yards, three touchdowns and posted a 115.9 passer rating for Houston in a 41-38 loss to Tennessee.

World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Rested France faces Poland

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The reigning World Cup champions breezed through the group stage to clinch a spot in the round of 16 with a game to spare and now France looks to continue its tournament in a Sunday knockout game against Poland. France is the first defending World Cup champion to reach the round of 16 since Brazil in 2006. France is 5-0 in the first knockout round since the stage was introduced to the World Cup in 1986 and well-rested after using nine substitutes in its final game of group play. England faces Senegal in the second game and is trying to reach the quarterfinals in consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time since 2002 and 2006.

LA Rams place QB Matthew Stafford on injured reserve

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been placed on injured reserve by the Los Angeles Rams one day after he cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol for the second time this season. Stafford already had been ruled out for the Rams’ home game against Seattle on Sunday. The Super Bowl winner will now be sidelined for at least four games. Stafford has missed two of the three previous games for the Rams, whose title defense season has fallen apart with a five-game losing streak.

Neymar trains ahead of Brazil’s game in last 16 of World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Neymar is back training two days before Brazil’s match against South Korea in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The good news for the five-time champions comes the same day left back Alex Telles and forward Gabriel Jesus were ruled out of the tournament because of injuries sustained in the 1-0 loss to Cameroon on Friday. Neymar hadn’t been back to the team’s training center since he damaged ligaments in his right ankle in Brazil’s opener against Serbia. He joined the light practice session with the players who did not start on Friday.

New 48-team World Cup format fails to impress Poland coach

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The high drama of split-screen tension during simultaneous matches in the final set of World Cup group games is now a thing of the past. The next tournament in 2026 will feature 48 teams instead of 32 and use a different format that will do away with group rivals playing at the same time with advancement and elimination swinging on late goals. Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz has led his team into the round of 16 but isn’t a fan of the upcoming changes. Michniewicz says “I think sometimes this can spoil the show.” Michniewicz’s team was one of several involved in late drama over the last few days in Qatar.

Big day at World Cup looms for France, Poland goalkeepers

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — It’s a huge day for goalkeepers with big reputations when defending champion France faces Poland at the World Cup on Sunday. Four years after lifting the trophy as captain Hugo Lloris will tie a national record in his 142nd game for Les Bleus. Lloris will match Lilian Thuram who played on the 1998 World Cup-winning team. No player at this World Cup has seemed to enjoy it more than Poland’s penalty-saving, wise-cracking No. 1 Wojciech Szczęsny. The goalkeepers jobs’ in the round of 16 game will be to deny feared opposing forwards Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski.