Digest

SOCCER

Messi masterclass fires Miami into knockouts

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi scored two first-half goals and assisted on another to lead Inter Miami to a 4-0 dismantling of Atlanta United and advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup on Tuesday.

After coming off the bench to score a dramatic winner in his debut on Friday night, the newly minted team captain from Argentina wasted no time in his first start with the Major League Soccer side.

The World Cup champion received a lofted pass from former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets and, after initially hitting the post, fired home his own rebound to put Miami in front in the eighth minute to roars of approval from the home crowd.

Messi added a second goal in the 22nd minute on a cross from teammate Robert Taylor, who notched a brace of his own.

Inter Miami has now won its group in the Leagues Cup, which is a World Cup-style tournament featuring all teams from MLS and Mexico's Liga MX.

No drama surrounding Hegerberg withdrawal

Ada Hegerberg's mysterious late withdrawal from the Norway team that drew 0-0 with Switzerland at the Women's World Cup on Tuesday was solely down to a groin injury, Hegerberg's representatives told Reuters after a number of rumors circulated online.

The 28-year-old striker took part in the warm-up and lined up for the national anthems, but just as Norway was breaking from a huddle, Hegerberg headed quickly down the tunnel to the locker room.

Hegerberg was replaced in the starting lineup by Sophie Roman Haug as Norway sought to bounce back from its 1-0 defeat against co-host New Zealand, but the game finished 0-0.

"She (Hegerberg) felt a tightness during the regular warm-up, which she felt was going to be alright going into the game," Victor Bernard of Hegerberg's representatives, AV Sports, told Reuters in an email exchange.

"But as she sprinted after the usual anthems and handshakes — she always gets a couple of sprints going before the team photo — she felt the groin becoming tighter."

BASKETBALL

Bronny James 'stable' after cardiac arrest

The 18-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James suffered a cardiac arrest while practicing with the University of Southern California basketball team and was in a stable condition, ESPN reported on Tuesday, citing a statement from a family spokesperson.

After the incident, which took place on Monday, medical staff treated Bronny James at the scene and took him to a hospital. He was no longer in intensive care, ESPN reported, citing the statement.

The spokesperson did not disclose details about the incident, including where it occurred. The family spokesperson, along with James' agent, could not be immediately reached for comment.

"We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information," the statement said, according to ESPN.

James is a highly touted incoming freshman guard for the Trojans, having been named a McDonald's All-American as a senior in high school. The elder James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and is considered one of the best basketball players of all time, has expressed interest to one day play alongside his son in the NBA before his famed career comes to a close.

Boston's Brown signs record NBA contract

Jaylen Brown

The Boston Celtics and wing Jaylen Brown have agreed to a five-year, $304 million contract extension, setting a record for the richest deal in NBA history.

Brown's agent, Jason Glushon, confirmed the agreement on Tuesday.

The Athletic said the supermax contract extension is fully guaranteed with a trade kicker and no player option.

The 26-year-old Brown has one year remaining on his current contract before the extension kicks in for the 2024-25 season. He will earn $28.5 million in the upcoming NBA season.

His deal will surpass the current contract of Nikola Jokic, a two-time league Most Valuable Player who signed a five-year, $276 million contract with the Denver Nuggets.

The Celtics selected Brown with the No 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Last season, he set career highs in points (26.6) and rebounds (6.9) per game to go with 3.5 assists over 67 games. He shot 49.1 percent from the floor.

In seven seasons, Brown has appeared in 470 games (363 starts), with averages of 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Agencies