Europe

ROTTERDAM - Serial winner Dani Carvajal converted the decisive spot-kick to hand Spain a first title in more than a decade as they edged Croatia 5-4 in a penalty shootout to win the Nations League in Rotterdam on Sunday.

The 31-year-old, who has won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid, calmly chipped home Spain’s sixth kick of the shootout as they claimed their first silverware since the 2012 European Championship.

Agony and ecstasy go hand in hand. The pain of losing is heightened when victory is within reach, only to be snatched at the final second with no hope of recovery. Such is the nature of the final day of a soccer season. 

ROTTERDAM — Croatia scored twice in extra time to beat the Netherlands 4-2 in their Nations League semifinal in Rotterdam on Wednesday and advance to Sunday’s decider.

Croatia will play either Italy or Spain, who face off in the second semifinal in Enschede on Thursday, for a first major title as they continued their form from last year’s World Cup in Qatar, where they finished third.

The Italian Serie B season has finished and we now know the three teams returning to the top flight. From midseason managerial changes to last-second winners, this year had it all, so let's meet the three newest members of Serie A and learn how they got here.

Frosinone Calcio

They say defense wins championships, but Frosinone took it a step further. The club boasted the league’s best offense and defense to claim the Serie B title for the first time by six points. After a challenging but rewarding campaign, difficult days may be in store for I Canarini.

NEW YORK — Wrexham will conclude their United States tour in co-owner Rob McElhenney's hometown of Philadelphia, with a match against Major League Soccer (MLS) affiliate team Philadelphia Union II on July 28.

.@Wrexham_AFC is coming to Philadelphia!

You won't want to miss when our friends from across the pond take on @PhilaUnionII at Subaru Park!

Kylian Mbappe has told Paris Saint-Germain he will not take up the option of a one-year extension in his contract when it expires next June, L'Equipe reported, with the France forward adding that the club had been notified of his decision last year.

Mbappe, a World Cup winner in 2018, confirmed his decision in a letter to the club and could even be sold this summer as PSG will seek to avoid losing him for free, according to the local reports.

Girondins de Bordeaux's Ligue 1 promotion bid has been derailed after their final home league match, which was halted when a fan attacked a Rodez player, was declared a victory for the visitors by governing body LFP on Monday.

In the match played on June 2, Bordeaux needed to better Metz's result to finish second and secure promotion to the top flight but the six-time French champions went behind in the 22nd minute.