Sports Roundup: Drama, Heroics, and Controversies in Global Competitions

Catch up on the latest sports news including Costa Rica's fearless approach against Brazil, Germany's late equaliser against Switzerland, US star Sha'Carri Richardson’s Olympic comeback, and controversies in Scotland’s Euro 2024 match. Dive into dramatic finishes in Major League Baseball and UEFA bans on Albania’s forward.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Costa Rica coach Alfaro not afraid of Brazil

Costa Rica coach Gustavo Alfaro said his side will not be intimidated by the challenge of facing Brazil as they seek a level playing field when they kick off their Copa America campaign on Monday. The continental showpiece will be a chance to learn where players stand tactically and what the keys to beating a big team like Brazil are, the Argentine added.

Analysis-Soccer-Canny Switzerland provide blueprint to beat Germany in knockouts

Germany left it late against Switzerland to secure a point which ensured they progress to the last 16 of Euro 2024 as group winners, though their well-drilled opponents demonstrated an effective means of nullifying the host nation's talented side. Switzerland sat deep from the outset to frustrate Germany's attacking players and, though Jamal Musiala showed glimpses of his ability to break the lines, the Swiss largely succeeded until substitute Niclas Fuellkrug's 92nd-minute equaliser.

Soccer-Fuellkrug's header heroics for Germany pose selection headache for Nagelsmann

Striker Niclas Fuellkrug came off the bench to grab an equaliser against Switzerland that sends Germany through to the last 16 of Euro 2024, creating a serious selection headache for German coach Julian Nagelsmann in the process. Fuellkrug struck with a trademark towering header in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the game to make it 1-1 and spare the blushes of the hosts, who enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to get shots on target against the Swiss defence.

Athletics-US star Richardson credits growth in Olympic qualifying

Sha'Carri Richardson banished painful memories of years past to punch her ticket to the Paris Games on Saturday in the 100 metres, saying she grew both on and off the track to reach the next level of her sport. Richardson won the 100 metres three years ago at the U.S. Olympic trials but was not allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games after testing positive for cannabis, sparking intense debate and outcry among her legions of loyal U.S. fans.

Soccer-Scotland denied legitimate penalty, claims manager Clarke

Scotland were denied a legitimate penalty in the second half of Sunday's loss to Hungary that could have changed the outcome of their final Group A match at the Euros, manager Steve Clarke said. Scotland substitute attacker Stuart Armstrong was caught on the thigh by Hungary defender Willi Orban but his claims for a spotkick in the 79th minute was waved away by Argentine referee Facundo Tello.

MLB roundup: Rockies win on 1st walk-off pitch clock violation

Ryan McMahon drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth-inning, resulting in the first walk-off pitch clock violation in major league history as the Colorado Rockies defeated the visiting Washington Nationals 8-7 on Saturday night. With the Rockies trailing 7-6, Hunter Goodman and Jake Cave opened the ninth with singles against Washington closer Kyle Finnegan (2-4). After failing to sacrifice, Brenton Doyle grounded a single to left, scoring Goodman with the tying run. Ezequiel Tovar single to right, loading the bases with no outs. With a 3-2 count on McMahon, Finnegan was called for a pitch-clock violation, resulting in ball four.

Soccer-Albania's Daku gets two-game ban after leading chanting deemed offensive

European soccer's governing body UEFA suspended Albania forward Mirlind Daku for two games on Sunday after he led Albanian fans in a round of offensive chants about Serbia and North Macedonia at Euro 2024. Rows are proliferating at the tournament over insults relating to longstanding political and ethnic tensions in the Balkans region.

Analysis-Soccer-Scotland fail to match passion of fans

Scotland fans have lit up Euro 2024 with an estimated 200,000 in Germany with or without tickets, but their team has not matched such passion with yet another failure to progress from the group stage in a dozen major tournaments. Needing a win against Hungary to reach the knockouts for the first time in eight World Cups and four European Championships since 1954, the Scots had only four fairly tepid attempts before succumbing to a last-gasp goal.

Soccer-Switzerland coach Yakin satisfied despite conceding late goal in draw with Germany

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin was relieved to have guided his team to the last 16 at Euro 2024 even though his players missed out on pulling off a rare victory over hosts Germany after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in their final Group A fixture. "The pressure was huge, we can live with the point", he said. "It is a fair result."

Soccer-Hungary score last-minute winner to send Scots home

Hungary snatched a 100th-minute winner to beat Scotland 1-0 and put themselves in contention for a last-16 spot at the European Championship while condemning the Scots to yet another failure at a major tournament. Kevin Csoboth's breakaway goal with almost the last kick of the match ensured Hungary finished third in Group A with three points while Scotland, yet to reach the knockout phase of either the Euros or World Cup, end in last place on two points.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)