You get a trophy, you get a trophy, you get a trophy
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Hello!
There are quite a few new champions to celebrate after a weekend full of finales. Let’s hoist that hardware.
— South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley, weighing in on the rookie rivalry between the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese just before the former collegiate foes team up for their first WNBA All-Star game this weekend. Is it Saturday yet?
Copa América
⚽ Messy, messy, Messi
The GIST: No. 1 Argentina is officially the winningest team in Copa América history — they secured their record-setting 16th title with a 1–0 win over No. 12 Colombia last night.
- Unfortunately, the celebratory night was marred by crowd control issues at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, raising serious security questions as the U.S., Mexico, and Canada prepare to host the men’s World Cup in 2026.
Argentina prevails in an emotionally-charged final: After a 0–0 regulation draw, the tournament’s leading goal scorer, Argentinian forward Lautaro Martínez, buried the winning goal in the 112th minute, snapping Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak.
- Argentinian legend Lionel Messi watched on from the bench after exiting in the second half with a non-contact injury, a tear-soaked end to what may be his final Copa appearance.
Dangerous crowds force over an hour-long game delay: According to alarming reports, numerous fans were detained ahead of kickoff for trying to enter the game without a ticket — the scary scenes left many supporters, including some with children, stuck outside the stadium in brutally hot temperatures and allegedly without water.
- Clips on social media showed fans climbing through vents to enter the game, while others who say they paid thousands of dollars for tickets were allegedly denied entry as tourney hosts CONMEBOL dealt with capacity issues caused by those who refused to leave seats they reportedly did not pay for.
Zooming out: Soccer is the world’s game — it’s an extremely passionate sport beloved by millions, but dangerous crowds at major matchups is a longstanding issue. From the UEFA Euro 2020 to the 2022 Champions League final to a deadly stampede at a game hosted in El Salvador in 2023. Enough is enough — safety should be priority number one.
UEFA Euro 2024
🏆 It was coming all along
The GIST: No. 8 Spain secured a record-breaking fourth Euro championship yesterday, topping No. 5 England 2–1 to cap off an epic undefeated tourney. Here’s how La Roja got their 24 karat on.
Spain’s youth movement impresses: The next generation of crafty Spain wingers — 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and 22-year-old Nico Williams — worked in tandem to open the scoring in the 47th minute before creative English substitute forward Cole Palmer equalized in the 73rd.
- The game seemed destined for extra time thanks to crucial saves by both teams’ keepers (and whoever else was in goal) until Spaniard Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th minute winning strike, a moment of redemption for the young leader whose knee injury kept him out of the 2022 World Cup.
- No question about it — Spain was the best squad wire-to-wire, scoring a record-setting 15 goals across their unbeaten run.
England underwhelms as title drought continues: Expectations were sky-high for talented England to finally realize their potential in their second straight Euro final and bring a men’s trophy back to soccer’s birthplace for the first time since the 1966 World Cup.
- Now the promise of superstars like midfielder Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane remains unfulfilled and English head coach Gareth Southgate faces questions about his future with the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup fast approaching.
Wimbledon
🎾 Slam, slam oh hot damn
The GIST: The final Grand Slam tournament before the Olympics did not disappoint, with history made on the grass courts at the All England Club. Truly serving.
No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz defends Wimbledon title: Playing in front of Her Royal Highness, the Spaniard made quick work of seven-time Wimbledon champion No. 2 Novak Djokovic yesterday, posting a straight set victory — complete dominance compared to last year’s five-set championship battle. Yes, Djokovic wasn’t in top form, but Alcaraz was tough to beat from the opening serve.
- The 21-year-old is now just the sixth man in the Open Era to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles, joining the Big Three — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. Safe to say, the next generation has arrived.
No. 31 Barbora Krejčiková secures second career singles Grand Slam victory: Three years after winning her maiden Grand Slam at the French Open, the Czech star conquered the grass with an electric three-set Saturday win over back-to-back Grand Slam finalist Italian No. 7 Jasmine Paolini. Raise your glass to that.
⚽ The No. 5 USWNT used a 64th minute Sophia Smith goal to beat No. 29 Mexico 1–0 in Saturday’s friendly. The road to Paris runs through the nation’s capital with tomorrow’s 7:30 p.m. ET friendly vs. No. 44 Costa Rica — the final sendoff before the Games begin.
⛳ Japanese golfer Ayaka Furue snagged her first major win this weekend, firing three birdies and an eagle over the last five holes to win The Amundi Evian Championship.
🏌️ Scotland’s own Robert MacIntyre sunk a dramatic putt on the 18th hole yesterday to win the Genesis Scottish Open.
⚾ With the No. 1 overall pick in last night’s MLB Draft, the Cleveland Guardians selected Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, a hard-hitting slugger from Australia.
- The draft teed off the league’s All-Star festivities, highlighted by tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Home Run Derby and tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET All-Star Game. Going, going…gone.
🏀 Chicago Sky star Angel Reese saw her recording-breaking double-double streak snapped at 15 in Saturday’s 81–67 loss to the NY Liberty. Smile because it happened.
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Recs from our roster!
📚 What to read
Stand Up and Shout Out. The book examines the unlevel playing field in sports by exploring the ongoing fights for equal pay, equal rights, and equal opportunities for women in sports.
👟 Who’s striking a pose
Team USA’s 100m sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. The speedster recently sat down with Vogue and the feature is gold-medal worthy.
🎟️ How to upgrade your fandom
With Momento. Use their app to track every live sporting event you attend and create your very own sports scrapbook.
Question of the Day
With the MLB All-Star Game tomorrow and WNBA All-Star on deck this weekend, we want to know: which of the following All-Star competitions is your fave? Hey now.
Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, and Lisa Minutillo. Editing by Laura Pastore, Emily Ohman, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Marga Sison and Lisa Minutillo. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.