Il Messaggiere - News from Rome, Modena, Reggio, Italy and the world

France coach Didier Deschamps hailed his side for keeping their cool against an aggressive Paraguay team in heatwave conditions Saturday as the favourites reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Severe weather disrupted the marquee celebration of America's 250th birthday Saturday, threatening a much-hyped rally and speech in Washington by President Donald Trump who has sought to stamp his mark on the anniversary.

Japan believe they have made "a big statement" by beating Italy in their Nations Championship opener and are confident they can take that momentum into next weekend's clash with Ireland.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Angeles star Mike Trout were among those named as starters on Saturday for the 96th Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

France captain Kylian Mbappe said his side were happy to do whatever it takes to advance in the World Cup after they battled through a bad-tempered last-16 tie with Paraguay to win 1-0 on Saturday.

World and Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall's latest long jump triumph at the Eugene Diamond League athletics meeting was a triumph of will as much as skill.

France needed a second-half Kylian Mbappe penalty to break down a stubborn Paraguay side on Saturday, winning a niggly World Cup last-16 clash 1-0 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Morocco.

Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot as France overcame searing heat and stubborn defence to beat Paraguay 1-0 and set up a World Cup quarter-final against Morocco on Saturday.

Ukraine denied Saturday Moscow's announcement that Russian forces had captured the strategic Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, a stronghold for Kyiv's troops in the eastern Donetsk region and a key target for the Kremlin.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden edged Sha'Carri Richardson at the line to win a scintillating women's 100m Saturday at a Eugene Diamond League athletics meeting otherwise marked by upsets.

Sonal Dinusha missed out on a maiden Test century but Sri Lanka continued to pile on the runs in reaching an impressive 549 for nine declared after tea on the second day of the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said his defenders need no guidance on how to contain Erling Haaland ahead of Sunday's World Cup last-16 tie with Norway.

When England do battle with Mexico in the World Cup last 16 on Sunday, they will be wary of Julian Quinones, a forward with little international profile who has shown in this tournament he knows the way to goal.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said "we're no longer a surprise" after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and hit back at "bold" claims by Canada's Jesse Marsch.

Rassie Erasmus celebrated his record-equalling 54th match as South Africa coach when his weakened side beat England 45-21 on Saturday in a Rugby Championship first-round match.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu scored a try and set-up another as they hammered Argentina with a record score of 47-38 in the Nations Championship in Cordoba on Saturday.

For Victor Colivert, only one thing matters now.

Coach Jesse Marsch said his Canada side had been the better team and hopes this is just the start after the co-hosts bowed out of the World Cup in the last 16 to Morocco on Saturday.

Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes have killed nearly 3,000, official figures showed on Saturday, as international rescue teams began winding down search operations for survivors in the rubble.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken urged his players not to be overawed by the occasion when they face five-time World Cup winners Brazil in the last 16 on Sunday.

England are annoyed their bowlers' usual pre-game routines will be altered changed by the appearance of Rita Ora ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup final against Australia at Lord's on Sunday.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his international debut for India on Saturday but England young gun Jacob Bethell ensured the "unbelievable talent" finished on the losing side in the second T20 at Old Trafford.

Morocco snuffed out co-host Canada's World Cup dream to book their place in the quarter-finals on Saturday as France braced for furnace-like temperatures in their last-16 clash against Paraguay.

Max Verstappen vented his frustrations after being out-paced by his Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar in Saturday's qualifying for the British Grand Prix while George Russell and Lando Norris were both baffled by their lack of pace.

Canada became the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston.

Jonas Vingegaard said on Saturday pulling on the yellow jersey at the Tour de France gave him closure after a horror crash two years ago almost ended his life.

Just when Pedro Cordido thought all was lost, he heard Erick Roa's voice.

Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli delivered more proof he has the maturity and all-round talent to shine anywhere in all conditions by grabbing his fifth pole of the season on Saturday.

The United States celebrated its 250th birthday on Saturday with parades, flyovers and fireworks to come, as President Donald Trump stamped his mark on the landmark anniversary in a deeply divided nation.

Jonas Vingegaard took the first leader's yellow jersey of the 113th edition of the Tour de France as his Visma-Lease a Bike outfit won Saturday's opening team time-trial in Barcelona.

South Africa outscored England by seven tries to three to win a Nations Championship first-round match 45-21 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Naomi Osaka has her sights set on revenge over Aryna Sabalenka when the Japanese star faces the women's world number one in the Wimbledon fourth round on Sunday.