The ESPYS awards ceremony took place Wednesday evening in New York City, with comedian Marcello Hernández opening the show. The event coincided with a World Cup semifinal match in Atlanta that generated significant attention, as Lionel Messi and Argentina secured victory over England to advance to their second consecutive World Cup final.

Argentina will face Spain on Saturday in New Jersey for the championship, located just across the Hudson River from the ESPYS venue. The proximity of these two major sporting events brought heightened coverage to what typically ranks among the slowest days on the sports calendar.