AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:59 a.m. EST

Ronaldo loses Portugal spot to sully World Cup journey

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The dream is still alive for Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup. Soccer’s most prolific modern-day scorer might yet claim the one major title to elude him in a career like no other. But it didn’t quite feel that way as he walked off the field alone at Lusail Stadium and left the rest of the Portugal team to celebrate getting through to the quarterfinals after a 6-1 rout of Switzerland. It was a rather sad sight as a veteran in decline departed the scene and his teammates continued to party. A bruising few weeks for Ronaldo have seen lose his contract at Manchester United and now lose his place in Portugal’s team.

World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Quarterfinalists bid for title

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The World Cup is taking a small break after non-stop soccer for the past two weeks. There will be two days of rest before the quarterfinals start in Qatar with at least one surprising team still in contention to win soccer’s biggest prize. Morocco produced the latest upset in a tournament that has had its share of them. The team beat Spain in the round of 16 to become the first Arab nation and fourth African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Lionel Messi and Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, Kylian Mbappe and France, and Neymar and Brazil are also in the quarterfinals.

Morocco beats Spain on penalties to advance at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Morocco became the first Arab nation and only the fourth African nation to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals by beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout. Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets missed their penalties for Spain. Sarabia hit the post and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stopped the other two. The teams drew 0-0 in regulation and extra time. Morocco has been the biggest surprise of the tournament and will next face either Portugal or Switzerland. Morocco and Spain are close neighbors with a complex geopolitical relationship.

Ronaldo dropped, Ramos scores 3 for Portugal at World Cup

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement scored a hat trick to lead Portugal over Switzerland 6-1 and into the World Cup quarterfinals. Goncalo Ramos is a 21-year-old forward who only made his Portugal debut last month. He made his first start for his country by demonstrating the kind of clinical finishing Ronaldo was once known for. Ramos scored the opening goal in the 17th minute and added the others in the 51st and 67th. By that time chants of “RONALDO! RONALDO!” were swirling around the 89,000-seat Lusail Stadium. Ronaldo entered as a substitute in the 72nd.

Titans owner fires GM Jon Robinson in his 7th season

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee owner Amy Adams Strunk fired general manager Jon Robinson in the midst of his seventh season with the Titans off to a 7-5 start. The Titans announced Strunk’s decision in a statement. The Titans plan to start searching for a new general manager soon with a full search at the end of the season. Strunk said she thinks the Titans have made “significant progress” but she believes “there is more to be done and higher aspirations to be met.” The Titans were routed in Philadelphia in a loss featuring a big performance by the wide receiver Robinson traded to the Eagles during the first round of the NFL draft in A.J. Brown.

Paolo’s Diary: Magic rookie says he’s doing much learning

Paolo Banchero says his rookie year has included a lot of learning to this point. The No. 1 draft pick by the Orlando Magic is providing a diary of Year 1 to The Associated Press. He says he’s really enjoying the camaraderie that the Magic have already built. The next challenge for the team in his mind is taking that togetherness and seeing how it can become more victories. The Magic are an NBA-worst 5-20 through their first 25 games this season.

Injury-plagued LA Rams claim QB Baker Mayfield off waivers

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have claimed quarterback Baker Mayfield off waivers. The Rams made the move Tuesday to add Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft by Cleveland. Mayfield was released by the Panthers on Monday at his request after seven disappointing games with Carolina. The Rams need quarterback help. Matthew Stafford is almost certainly out for the season with a bruised spinal cord, and backups John Wolford and Bryce Perkins have been fairly ineffective while playing three of the past four games.

Lakers lose star Davis with flu-like symptoms, fall to Cavs

CLEVELAND (AP) — Los Angeles star center Anthony Davis was forced to leave Los Angeles’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after the first quarter and his teammates struggled without him in a 116-102 loss. Davis had scored 99 points in his previous two games and had been on a tear over the past 10 as the Lakers went 8-2 to erase most of a horrible start this season. He scored just one in eight minutes before he was forced to leave. Lakers coach Darvin Ham said Davis’ symptoms gradually got worse during the course of the day. Ham said Davis is unlikely to play on Wednesday in Toronto. He also stressed Davis had not tested positive for COVID-19.

AP sources: Walker, Bellinger, Bell move; Giants add Haniger

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Aaron Judge remains a free agent as baseball’s winter meetings continue in San Diego. While much of the majors awaited the resolution of Judge’s free agency, Taijuan Walker agreed to a $72 million, four-year contract with Philadelphia, Mitch Haniger got a $43.5 million deal from San Francisco and Cody Bellinger reached a $17.5 million, one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. Negotiations continued for some marquee free agents, including shortstops Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson, along with catcher Willson Contreras and left-hander Carlos Rodón. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol says the team recently met with Contreras and his representatives.

Hall of Famer Croom: ‘Not enough progress’ for Black coaches

LAS VEGAS (AP) — New Hall of Famer Sylvester Croom says there has not been enough progress in college football when it comes to the hiring of Black head coaches. Croom, a star player for Alabama in the early 1970s, became the first Black head football coach in the Southeastern Conference in 2004 when he was hired by Mississippi State. Since then, there have been only four others and there are currently no Black head coaches in the SEC. Only one of 16 head coaching vacancies in major college football this year has been filled by a Black coach. Croom called it ‘disappointing’ and ‘frustrating,’ but said he was happy to see Deion Sanders get an opportunity with Colorado.