Monday, July 20, 2026 • 3 min read

Wake up with The Yodel

by Natasha Frost with Harriet Sinclair

Good morning, everyone. If you’re facing a stressful week, these two strategies can help keep your cortisol levels in check. Now, the news.

Need to know

Entertainers perform during halftime of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina. | Yuki Iwamura/AP

In last night’s World Cup final, Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win its first global title in 16 years and bring the North American tournament to a close. Here’s what you missed.

What happened: Spain extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches to win the World Cup with a single goal, 39 seconds into the second half of extra time. The European victory denied Argentina’s chance of becoming the first repeat champions since Brazil in 1962. Read a recap. [Yahoo Sports]
Halftime show: In an exuberant performance, pop giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber performed for an audience of millions in a half-time show to rival the Superbowl, running over 27 minutes. See flubs and highlights — including when the Muppets stole the show. [BBC News/Entertainment Weekly]
Coming up: Sad that it’s over? The 2027 Women’s World Cup is less than a year away, when the 32 best teams in the world will head to Brazil. The men’s tournament returns in 2030 in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with opening matches in South America. Concerns are already mounting over the heat. [Yahoo Sports/The Weather Channel]

In case you missed it

Three people pose in front of a sign reading 'The Odyssey'

Matt Damon, left, Christopher Nolan and Anne Hathaway attend the premiere of "The Odyssey" at AMC Lincoln Square in New York. | Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

‘The Odyssey' opening

Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey premiered to $124.5 million at the domestic box office and $264 million globally, exceeding the director’s previous best premiere, The Dark Knight Rises. Still weighing up a watch? Read a review. [Entertainment Weekly/Yahoo Entertainment]

Tensions escalate in Iran

A U.S. service member was killed in Iraq while disposing of explosives from a downed Iranian attack drone, Central Command said. As U.S. strikes on Iran entered a ninth day, the State Department issued a warning to Americans living and traveling abroad. [Reuters/The Hill]

Tropical Storm Bertha looms

Tropical Depression Two has formed in the northeastern Gulf and may become Tropical Storm Bertha, bringing up to four inches of rain, gusts over 40 mph and possible coastal flooding to parts of Florida and the northern Gulf Coast. See maps. [CNN/The Weather Channel]

Taylor Farms lettuce scare

A Taylor Farms lettuce sample flagged for the parasite Cyclospora was a false positive, the FDA said. The company has removed iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the market while officials investigate the multistate outbreak that has sickened thousands. [CBS News]

British Open winner

A wild ride, ending in the biggest putt of his life: Ryan Fox is, by one shot, the winner of this year’s British Open, finishing at 10-under 270. The son of an All Black, he is the fourth New Zealander to win a major golf championship. [AP]

What’s happening today

Hulu

Now streaming

Season 15 of King of the Hill is now on Hulu. Bobby and Connie take their relationship to the next level, while Hank and Peggy have a brush with modern scammers. Watch the trailer. [Variety]

On the diamond

The Dodgers open a three-game series against the Phillies at 7:10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Los Angeles are playing without star Shohei Ohtani, who is suffering a left knee irritation. [AP]

In the WNBA

The Mystics play the Valkyries at 10:00 p.m. ET on USA Network, against the backdrop of growing online harassment of WNBA players and a meeting tomorrow between league leaders and team executives for a “temperature check.” [The Athletic]

And don't forget to...

Read your daily horoscope. Play the crossword (or the mini). Check the forecast in your area.

Today in history

Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Getty Images

In 1965, Bob Dylan released the monumental single "Like a Rolling Stone,” with a playtime of more than six minutes. The rock classic ranks No. 4 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. [Parade]

Feel-good moment

Pomeranian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments/Facebook

Metal detectorists expect to find loose change, not a 2,700-year-old bronze sword standing perfectly upright in a Polish forest. Rather than trying to pull out Excalibur himself, the hobbyist flagged the legendary discovery so archaeologists could excavate it safely. The rare relic is now headed to a museum. [People]