National Sports

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — This is Australia’s Matildas against England’s Lionesses. The Women’s World Cup semifinals. The here and the now.

MADRID (AP) — Not long after Spain secured its spot in the Women’s World Cup final on Tuesday, coach Jorge Vilda gathered with his players and staff in a huddle near midfield and sent them a brief message.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Spain will play for its first Women's World Cup championship after Olga Carmona's goal in the 89th minute lifted La Roja to a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the Tuesday semifinal.

SYDNEY (AP) — With Matildas’ matches becoming hot tickets, Australia’s run to the Women’s World Cup semifinals and the expanded 32-team format have helped set records for attendance at the tournament.

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga — Tonga continued its mastery over Canada on Monday, running in six tries for a comfortable 36-12 win in an international rugby test match.

The fourth-ranked Canadian women's rugby team will open against No. 6 Wales at this fall's inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand before facing No. 1 England and No. 3 France.

NORTH BAY, Ont. — Aydan Downer of Keswick, Ont., carded an opening-round 68 on Monday and leads the Canadian Junior Boys golf championship by one shot.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov has died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year. He was 21. The Maple Leafs confirmed Amirov died Monday in Munich, Germany, where he had been receiving treatment.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes have signed quarterback Reece Udinski to a contract, the team announced Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Patience and perseverance have paid off for Ricky Walker. For two seasons, the American defensive tackle saw spot duty with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.