Messi, Argentina beat Netherlands
Lionel Messi’s quest to win the World Cup moves into the semifinals after Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout Friday.
Messi converted his penalty in the shootout and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved two attempts. Lautaro Martinez scored the clinching penalty.
The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Messi scoring one goal and setting up another. The Netherlands equalized in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time.
Argentina will play Croatia in the semifinals on Tuesday.
MLB BOGAERTS, PADRES FINALIZE $280 MILLION, 11-YEAR DEAL >>
Xander Bogaerts’ $280 million, 11-year contact with the San Diego Padres was finalized Friday after the All-Star slugger passed his physical.
The Padres reached the NL Championship Series before losing to the Phillies last season.
Bogaerts joins an already deep lineup that includes third baseman Manny Machado and outfielder Juan Soto. Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. will be eligible to rejoin the Padres on April 20 at the conclusion of his 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Tatis, who is expected to move to the outfield, missed all of
last season.
CARDS SIGN ALL-STAR CATCHER CONTRERAS TO 5-YEAR DEAL >> Catcher Willson Contreras signed a fiveyear contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Financial terms were not released. A person familiar with the negotiations previously told The Associated Press the five-year deal is worth $87.5 million.
Contreras, 30, batted .243 with 22 home runs and 55 RBI in 113 games last season for the Chicago Cubs. He debuted with the Cubs in 2016 and won a World Series as a rookie, an experience he is looking to repeat with his new organization.
NIMMO STAYING WITH METS ON $162M, 8-YEAR DEAL >> Center fielder Brandon Nimmo is staying with the free-spending New York Mets, agreeing to a $162
million, eight-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal.
A quality leadoff hitter with an excellent eye and a .385 career on-base percentage, Nimmo became a free agent last month for the first time. He was a key performer as the Mets returned to the playoffs this year for the first time since 2016.
The left-handed hitter batted .274 with 16 homers and a team-high 102 runs, a career high. He also set career bests with 64 RBIs and 151 games played. His seven triples tied for most in the National League.
NBA NBA, NBPA EXTEND OPT-OUT DEADLINE FOR CBA >>
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are giving each other more time to decide if they want to opt out of the league’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, a person with knowledge of the talks said.
The new opt-out date — which was going to be Dec. 15 — will be set for early 2023 and could be moved yet again depending on the progress of talks, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because nothing was revealed by either the NBA or NBPA.
Members of the NBA’s Board of Governors are expected to formally agree to the extension at their scheduled meeting next week. ESPN first reported the decision to move the date, saying the next deadline will be set for February.
Either side had until this coming Thursday to exercise its right to terminate the existing CBA on June 30, 2023. The move revealed Friday extends that deadline, and similar moves in past years have tended to suggest that talks are moving forward.
College football ARIZONA STATE HIRES BALDWIN AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR >>
Arizona State has hired former Cal Poly head coach Beau Baldwin as its next offensive coordinator.
The school announced Baldwin’s hiring of new coach Kenny Dillingham’s staff, a week after he resigned at Cal Poly.
The 50-year-old Baldwin spent three seasons as the Mustangs’ head coach, going 4-21.