A very sporty Euro summer

The GIST: Twenty-seven days and 96 games later, the FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) quarter-finals (QFs) are set. Today’s the first day in a while without a game, so take the respite to check on your bracket and read up on the upcoming matches, plus how the final two teams clinched their spots.

🔥 Down two goals to nil, Argentina rebounds and survives: To the heartbreak of Egypt fans, defending WC champs Argentina conjured the Dark Arts made magic happen again yesterday, scoring three second-half goals in 13 minutes, including this Lionel Messi stunner, to defeat Egypt 3–2.

• Their QF opponent? Switzerland, who defeated Colombia in a wild penalty shootout yesterday after a 0–0 regulation draw, advancing to the QFs for the first time since 1954.

📺 The QFs begin with France vs. Morocco tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET: It’s a fiery rematch of the 2022 WC semifinal, which France won 2–0 before losing to Argentina in the final. Les Bleus have dominated the tourney behind the high-scoring winger trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, who’ve combined for 11 goals and nine assists.

• That said, Morocco’s Atlas Lions will be hungry for revenge. Star striker Ismael Saibari is dealing with a hamstring injury, but will pose a challenge for France if he takes the pitch. Either way, expect these QFs to start with a bang.

⚽ Goals and girlhood go hand in hand. As an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Dove is launching #TheGameIsOurs, a campaign helping girls block out the noise, build confidence, and stay in the game they love.

• 🍁 Canadian soccer stars Olivia Smith and Desiree Scott know firsthand what it takes to stay in sport despite the pressures. With Dove, they’re highlighting how confidence, community, and their love for the game helped keep them playing. Now that’s a golazo.

The GIST: Five years ago, Kyle Lowry told us he’d retire as a Toronto Raptor — and the 40-year-old kept his promise yesterday, inking a one-day deal with the Raps and choosing to hang up his sneakers in Canada after an illustrious 20-year NBA career.

• Staying in Toronto long-term was never part of Lowry’s plan when he was dealt to the Dinos in 2012; neither was falling in love with the Six. Well, plans change, and now he’s the greatest Raptor of all time.

🏆 Franchise icon, NBA champion, and six-time All-Star: All these highlights on Lowry’s hoops résumé happened in Toronto. He’s the most accomplished player in franchise history, but his impact is bigger than individual accolades: Lowry embraced everything about our country (even the bone-chilling cold), matching the toughness and tenacity of Canadians with every signature charge.

• General manager Bobby Webster divided the Raps’ chapters into “before Kyle” and “after Kyle” as Lowry’s gritty style of play altered the franchise’s course. From the seven straight playoff appearances to the 2019 NBA title, Lowry ignited belief in Dinos fans across the country.

7️⃣ A lasting legacy in Toronto: The Raptors will lift a second jersey to Scotiabank Arena’s rafters during a weekend of celebration in September. Lowry’s nine-year Raps’ tenure was bookended by stops in Memphis and Houston first and Miami and Philadelphia after, but he called Toronto home. The city responded in kind, retiring his iconic No. 7 jersey and naming July 7th Kyle Lowry Day.

• With his mark left on the men’s game, Lowry’s shifting his attention to the women’s side: He and his wife Ayahna Cornish-Lowry (an elite hooper herself) joined the Toronto Tempo ownership group yesterday. Seven forever giving back to the Six.