Here's what has stood out from the latest playoff games of the Western Conference's first round.
Spain's World Cup-winning men's soccer team returned to Madrid, celebrating their second title with an estimated 1.8 million fans in a massive parade through the capital. The team met with royals and the Prime Minister before a public ceremony at Cibeles Square, marking a moment of national joy despite a tragic incident in Salamanca.
Spain's World Cup champions paraded through Madrid after a 1-0 victory over Argentina, sparking emotional celebrations among fans who recall generations of past heartbreaks. The win, following their "golden generation" successes, highlights a promising future with young talents and Spain co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, concluded with Spain defeating Argentina for its second title. NPR journalists reflect on the tournament's success, fan enthusiasm, high ticket prices, VAR controversies, and political interventions, including President Trump's call to FIFA.
The F1 Belgium Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps exposed significant performance issues with 2026 cars due to limited hybrid energy, frustrating drivers like Max Verstappen and George Russell. AI energy management systems were implicated in car problems. Kimi Antonelli won, but the race highlighted concerns about the new ruleset's impact on classic F1 circuits.
Three new women's world records were set at the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin. Karolina Urbanová from the Czech Republic broke records in two chopping events, while Meredith Ingbretson of Hayward set a new record in the Boom Run.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win its second FIFA World Cup title in North America, marking its 38th consecutive match without a loss and becoming the first country to hold both men's and women's World Cup titles simultaneously. The final featured a controversial 25-minute halftime show.
