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

When Yasin Ayari scored two spectacular goals in Sweden's emphatic opening World Cup victory, it left a bitter taste in Tunisia, the country he could have represented.

Scotland players led by star John McGinn retained the belief that they can secure a historic qualification for the knockout phase of the World Cup despite going down 1-0 to Morocco in their second match on Friday.

The United States marched into the last 32 of the World Cup on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Australia as Brazil rediscovered their scoring touch to eliminate Haiti.

Matheus Cunha scored twice as Brazil eased past Haiti 3-0 on Friday to breathe life into their World Cup campaign and close in on a spot in the last 32.

Scientists have detected the H5 strain of bird flu in Australia for the first time, the country's agriculture minister said on Saturday, meaning the highly contagious variant has now spread to every continent.

Scottie Scheffler's chances of winning the US Open to complete a career Grand Slam might just come down to how the fickle winds of Shinnecock blow this weekend.

Iran's treatment at the World Cup in North America is a "dark point" in the history of the competition, a leading Iranian football official said Friday.

Three bogeys in a row and a double bogey on the back nine doomed Rory McIlroy's hopes of pushing the leaders Friday at the US Open, but he fancies his chances just the same.

German coach Julian Nagelsmann said Friday he sees no reason to change a lineup that hammered World Cup debutants Curacao last week for his side's second match against Ivory Coast.

Wyndham Clark held off charges by fellow major winners Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick and Collin Morikawa to seize a four-stroke lead in Friday's second round of the US Open at blustery Shinnecock.

Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the World Cup so far after just 71 seconds as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 on Friday to close in on a place in the knockout rounds.

Mexican archaeologists unearthed ancient ruins with signs of Mayan culture as well as "never before seen" characteristics in the eastern state of Veracruz.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino backed his "high IQ" players not to get carried away after they secured progress to the World Cup knockouts with Friday's win over Australia and sent fans' hopes soaring.

US director and television creator James Burrows, who worked behind the scenes on "Friends," "Cheers," "Taxi," and many other beloved comedies, has died, People magazine reported on Friday. He was 85.

Kate Douglass surged home in 23.59sec to break Sarah Sjostrom's 50m freestyle world record in a scintillating final at the Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis on Friday.

Striker Alexander Isak will get "stronger and stronger" and is smiling again, Sweden coach Graham Potter said Friday in a World Cup warning to defences.

The revolution was televised -- but many Cubans missed it because they had no electricity.

New Tunisia coach Herve Renard said Friday only hard work and unity will save their World Cup, adding: "I am no wizard."

The United States powered into the last 32 of the World Cup on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Australia as Brazil prepared to kickstart their campaign against Haiti.

The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare following an impressive 2-0 win over Australia Friday, stoking the hopes of an already hyped host nation.

France superstar Antoine Dupont was at his influential best as Toulouse hammered Racing 92 71-17 in a record score on Friday to reach next week's French Top 14 final.

US President Donald Trump unveiled on Friday a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, which he dubbed a "flying White House."

Venezuelan opposition figure Dinorah Figuera told AFP on Friday she is traveling to the United States for meetings, a day after returning from years in exile to initiate dialogue with Venezuela's interim government.

Joaquin Niemann scored better angry and unprepared than most players with perfect preparation in Friday's second round of the US Open after learning of a two-stroke penalty for throwing a club.

Canada midfielder Ismael Kone has undergone surgery after suffering a broken leg in his team's defeat of Qatar and will miss the remainder of the World Cup, the Canadian team confirmed Friday.

Spain star Lamine Yamal said Friday it is "too soon" for him to play a full 90 minutes as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, ahead of the European champions' World Cup game against Saudi Arabia.

England's Matt Fitzpatrick has already enjoyed three confidence-boosting triumphs this season, so it's no wonder he likes his chances of capturing his second US Open crown in five years.

Brazilian star Neymar is "the first player in the world to be called up to the national side and be working remotely", Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva joked on Friday.

Dropped England captain Ben Stokes eventually took a wicket as he returned to action for Durham in their County Championship match against Northamptonshire on Friday.

Jonathan Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and a two-time Olympic gold medallist with Canada, announced his retirement from the NHL on Friday.

Wyndham Clark has seized command at the US Open, but he would like to win back fans as well as capture his second title in four years.

Hajime Moriyasu warned his Japan side Friday they will need to match the intensity of a Tunisia team fired up by a change of coach for the landmark 1,000th World Cup game.

Wyndham Clark fended off charges by fellow major winners Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick and Collin Morikawa to seize a four-stroke lead in Friday's second round of the US Open at blustery Shinnecock.

Millions in France are grappling with scorching heat, but Jean-Luc Eclercy-Deterpigny is not worried as his living room inside a former quarry offers refreshing refuge.

Henry Nicholls's superb unbeaten century saw New Zealand into an utterly dominant position against England in the second Test at the Oval on Friday.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz rose to its busiest in two months after a deal to halt the US-Iran war, maritime trackers said on Friday.

Last October jockey Clifford Lee came within a "millimetre" of dying when he broke a vertebra in a motorbike crash -- on Friday he rode Venetian Sun to victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Harry Kane says England's emotional "Wonderwall" singalong with fans after their opening World Cup win against Croatia was one of his top moments in the national shirt.

Oil prices edged back up and stock markets stabilised Friday after postponement of US-Iran peace deal talks.