Wales have lost every Test match of 2024 so far and have not gone an entire calendar year without a win since 1937, when they played just three matches.

That has prompted former players, such as Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Tom Shanklin, to criticise Gatland and in some cases, question his future.

The head coach has tried to divert attention from the players onto himself and Lake admits the challenge is to prevent a young team retreating into their shells amid the weight of expectation.

"Weve spoken as a group about still trying to enjoy the moment and playing with the shackles off," said Lake.

"But it is difficult because you can't help thinking if anything goes wrong, thats going to come back on me.

"Theres always an edge around camp with boys fighting for places and for every inch.

"Nothing has changed from our work from last week but we need to tighten up our discipline and be more clinical."

Those have been recurring themes throughout this miserable year for Wales.

Having had their 19-game winning streak in Dublin halted by the All Blacks a week before, Ireland would have sought a quick start to ease any pressure built through seven days of scrutiny.

While they got just that through a pair of tries in the opening five minutes, the visitors will be left wondering what might have been had Matias Moroni not been sent to the sin bin in the second minute, the first of two cards for each side.

The Argentina centre had crossed the line just moments before being shown the yellow, his high tackle on Jack Crowley bringing the double blow of a disallowed score and 10 minutes on the sidelines.

Ireland were quick to take advantage, crossing the line twice as the centre watched on.

The first came directly from the subsequent penalty, Crowley darting across after Ronan Kelleher had been stopped short, with the second arriving only moments later from an attack launched directly from the subsequent restart.

With centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose both carrying well, the ball was spread to Tadhg Beirne whose popped pass inside to Mack Hansen saw Ireland open up a two-score lead.

Argentina got on the board when Albornoz punished a Henshaw offside but as Moroni returned his side trailed 12-3. The centre quickly played his part in dislodging the ball from Beirne's hand as he tried to ground for the score.

To conclude a frantic opening 17 minutes, it was Ireland then reduced to 14 when Finlay Bealham was sent to the bin for a croc roll on his fellow prop Joel Scalvi but the visitors could not take advantage as Ireland had previously.

Albornoz kicked another pair of penalties during the Connacht man's absence but, with a Crowley drop-goal in between, Ireland were still 15-9 ahead when restored to 15.

McCarthy's try, again started from the line-out, edged Farrell's side further ahead but their discipline remained an issue.

Having been whistled too frequently against the All Blacks, they conceded six penalties in the first half, including three in quick succession in the final minute of the half, but Argentina could not make them pay.

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights signed defenseman Brayden McNabb to a three-year extension worth $10.95 million Friday, keeping one of their original players under contract for the franchise's first decade of existence.

McNabb, 33, will count $3.65 million against the salary cap when the deal kicks in next season through 2027-28.

One of the "Misfits" from the Golden Knights' 2017 expansion draft, McNabb helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season and win it all in 2023. The seasoned NHL veteran is the franchise leader with 518 games played, 1,256 hits and 1,144 blocked shots and at over 10,205 minutes has been on the ice more than anyone else in a Vegas uniform.

This is the third extension McNabb has signed with the club, getting a raise to $2.5 million in 2017 and $2.85 million in 2022 before this contract. He would have been an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The deal locks in another veteran on defense for the foreseeable future with Alex Pietrangelo signed for $8.8 million annually through 2027, Zach Whitecloud for $2.75 million through 2028, and Shea Theodore ($7.425 million) and Noah Hanifin ($7.35 million) through 2032. Nicolas Hague, a pending restricted free agent, could be next.

McNabb has spent the past eight seasons with Vegas after playing parts of five others for Buffalo and Los Angeles. He has two points in 16 games this season while skating 19:23 per night.

DENVER -- Suspended Colorado forward Valeri Nichushkin was added to the Avalanche's active roster and will make his season debut Friday night against Washington.

Nichushkin recently returned to the team after being placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program six months ago. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Friday after the morning skate that Nichushkin's "in a good spot, and we're excited to have him back."

The suspension of Nichushkin, 29, was announced in the middle of Colorado's playoff loss to Dallas. It was the second straight postseason the Russian right winger was unavailable because of circumstances away from the ice. He also abruptly left the team in a 2023 first-round playoff series against Seattle for what was described as personal reasons.

In May, Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay. The Stage 3 designation of the league's player assistance program means he violated terms of the program, which provides help for everything from mental health needs to substance abuse.

The Avalanche sit at 9-8 despite missing Nichushkin and being hit early by injuries.

"He's our friend. He's a great guy to be around," forward Nathan MacKinnon said. "He's just a great teammate, obviously a hell of a player. Really, really happy he's back, and it's a big boost for us for sure."

Nichushkin is under contract through the 2029-30 season after signing an eight-year, $49 million contract with the team in 2022. He had a career-best 28 goals last year in 54 regular-season games.

"Seeing him here every day, he's in a good place right now," defenseman Cale Makar said. "He's done the work for the last six months or so. It's great to see where he's at now. It seems like he's a happy guy. So it's good."

MacKinnon echoed that thought.

"Looks great. He's healthy. He's happy," MacKinnon said. "Seems like he's in a great mood and great place. I'm sure he's really excited to do what he loves again."

The banged-up Avalanche are trending closer and closer to full health, with Jonathan Drouin (upper body) and Miles Wood (upper body) returning Friday against the Capitals. The Avalanche are still missing Ross Colton (broken foot) and captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee), while goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Landeskog, who turns 32 on Nov. 23, has been sidelined by a knee injury since helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022. He underwent a cartilage transplant procedure in his knee on May 10, 2023, in an effort to return.

There's still no timetable for when Landeskog may play. But on Friday, Landeskog was gliding around the ice at practice and went through some puck-passing drills.

"Usually when he's out there, you start wondering what it would be like to have him back," Bednar said. "We're not quite there yet, but I think anytime he gets on with the ice with our guys, and he's around the room more, it helps."

Minnesota Wild forward Mats Zuccarello was placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after undergoing surgery Thursday night for a lower-body injury.

Zuccarello exited at 12:52 of the first period in Thursday's 3-0 win against Montreal after being hit in the midsection by a shot from teammate Brock Faber.

"Zuccy's such an important part of the team," Wild coach John Hynes said Friday. "I've really enjoyed coaching him. He's a veteran player, he's an extreme competitor, he's got great hockey sense and his value on the power play.

"Obviously (there is) his chemistry with Kirill (left wing Kirill Kaprizov), but to me the way he's come in this year and he's played, he's a real key guy. But, that being said, he's played a long time, too, and I know when he comes back he's going to be back to where he is."

Zuccarello is tied for third on the team with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) through 16 games this season, his 15th in the NHL. He has 650 points (204 goals, 446 assists) in 851 career games with the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars and Wild.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

Ghana failed to reach the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2004 after drawing with Angola 1-1 in qualifying on Friday.

The Black Stars needed a win in their penultimate group game to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco next year.

Ghana, four-time African champions, have played in 24 editions of the tournament. Only seven-time champions Egypt (26) and defending champions Ivory Coast (25) have appeared in more.

Already-qualified Angola made the better start in front of the home fans in Talatona, but Ghana veteran Jordan Ayew opened the scoring for the visitors with a brilliant free kick from distance in the 18th minute.

M'Bala Nzola had a chance to equalize with a penalty only for Ghana keeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen to save his spot kick.

The home team kept pushing however, and Felicio Milson set up Zini to equalize in the 64th.

Ghana remained bottom of qualifying Group F with just three points from five games. They needed two wins from its final two games while hoping group rivals Sudan (seven points) lost both of their games.

Niger had earlier done the Black Stars a favor by beating Sudan 4-0. Ghana next plays Niger (four points) on Monday, when Niger can qualify as group runners-up behind Angola (13 points) as long as Angola beats Sudan in their final group game. Niger have a better goal difference than Sudan.

Former Hertha Berlin winger Myziane Maolida scored in the last minute for Comoros to qualify with a 2-1 win over Gambia. It's just the second time the island nation has qualified for the Cup of Nations.

Zambia, Mali, and Zimbabwe secured their qualification for the 2025 Cup of Nations earlier Friday, while Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon clinched their spots on Thursday.

Victor Osimhen's late goal was enough for Nigeria to progress with a 1-1 draw against Benin.

Morocco, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Algeria, Congo, Cameroon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Angola were already qualified before this round of games.

There are still six places available in the 24-team tournament with qualifying continuing through Tuesday.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kansas City Current forward and 2024 NWSL Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga will be available for Sunday's high-profile semifinal against the Orlando Pride, but Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski said he is unsure how much she will play.

"She was able to get through the whole training today," Andonovski told reporters Friday. "Obviously, all the measurements are now to see how everything goes. So, yes, she will be available. It's only a question of, 'How long?'"

Chawinga missed Kansas City's regular-season finale on Nov. 3 with a knee injury and was questionable leading up to the team's Nov. 10 quarterfinal against the North Carolina Courage. She started and played the full 90 minutes while scoring the lone goal of the match to help Kansas City advance to the semifinals.

After the match, Andonovski said opponents have been "targeting" Chawinga. The forward, who broke the NWSL's single-season record by scoring 20 goals this year, was subject to a late foul and taunting from Courage forward Bianca St-Georges which led Kansas City defender Ellie Wheeler to shove St-Georges in the back.

Next up for No. 4 seed Kansas City is a trip to No. 1 seed Orlando on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ABC). On the line is a berth in the final, which is being hosted at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City on Nov. 23.

Orlando has not lost at home all season and thrashed the Chicago Red Stars, 4-1 last week in the quarterfinals.

The Pride defeated Kansas City 2-1 in July in a battle of then-unbeaten teams. Orlando won the match despite playing the whole second half down a player following Carrie Lawrence's ejection before halftime, and captain Marta celebrated vehemently after the final whistle.

Kansas City forward Michelle Cooper then posted to her Instagram that night, "We will remember the way they acted after the cameras were off."

The two teams met again in Orlando in September and played to a scoreless draw.

Orlando defender Kylie Strom said on Friday that there is a budding rivalry between the teams.

"Every time we're ready to play them, it does feel like there's a different sense, a different vibe in the locker room, and extra motivation and extra focus for whatever reason," Strom said. "I think it's just credit to both teams, credit to them. They're such a quality opponent that we have to be locked in. So, it's gonna be fun. I think both times we played them, there's been a bit of drama, so I'm sure this game will be nothing less than that."

Pride forward Barbra Banda finished second in the league in scoring with 13 goals in the regular season. Banda and Chawinga were locked into a tight race for the Golden Boot until Chawinga went on a run of scoring in seven of eight games following the Olympic break, while Banda scored just once. Banda returned to her scoring ways last week, however, tallying a brace against Chicago.

Both teams ooze talent beyond their primary scoring threats. Orlando is the No. 1 seed and Shield winner after going unbeaten through the first 23 games of the year and setting a new league points record (60) for a season. Kansas City broke the single-season record for goals (57) and has not lost a game since Sept. 1.

"One of the most important things for us is that we have to defend well as a unit," Andonovski said. "They're a very good team, they're very organized. If we give them little space, they're going to exploit them."

Kansas City will be playing for the right to play a final on home soil later this month, with the NWSL predetermining its championship venue months in advance. Orlando, however, hopes to leverage its home form.

"It's everything," Strom said. "Inter&Co Stadium has become a fortress for us. The fans have really shown out this year and it's been so fun to play in. It's such a huge advantage."

The Washington Spirit and defending league champion NJ/NY Gotham FC face off in the other semifinal on Saturday, a matchup of the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively. All four top seeds advanced from the first true quarterfinal round of playoffs in NWSL history.

Spirit head coach Jonatan Giraldez said his team needs to play "a perfect game" to win, while counterpart Juan Carlos Amoros said there is no additional pressure as defending champions.

"I think the pressure comes within ourselves," the Gotham FC coach said. "I think it's how much we want to win. It hasn't changed. Every time we go on a football pitch, we want to show that -- to show that we're the best team."

Portugal sealed a Nations League quarterfinal berth after a Cristiano Ronaldo double with a penalty and an overhead kick helped them hammer visiting Poland 5-1 in Group A1 on Friday.

Rafael Leão broke the deadlock just before the hour with a header before Ronaldo doubled the lead from the spot in the 72nd minute with a confident strike down the middle of the goal.

The hosts then scored three goals in eight minutes through Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto and Ronaldo's clever strike before Dominik Marczuk got a consolation for Poland in the 88th.

Unbeaten Portugal top the group with 13 points, six ahead of Croatia, who lost 1-0 away to a Scotland side who are still bottom but now level on four points with third-placed Poland.

LOS ANGELES -- USC's JuJu Watkins reached 1,000 career points in her 38th game -- two quicker than former Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark -- during the second half against Santa Clara on Friday.

The sophomore guard achieved the milestone when she hit a jumper with 6:47 remaining in the third quarter for the third-ranked Trojans.

Watkins tied the fourth fewest amount of games needed to reach 1,000 points in NCAA Division I history. She is tied with Delaware's Elena Delle Donne as the fastest to reach the mark in the last 40 seasons.

LSU's Maree Jackson (1975-77), Oregon State's Carol Menken (1978-80) and New Orleans' Sandra Hodge (1980-82) all reached the mark in 37 games.

Weber State's Kathy Miller and Delle Donne also did it in 38 games. Former Ohio State standout Kelsey Mitchell did it in 41 games and Texas A&M's Chennedy Carter in 44.

Watkins set the all-time national record for scoring by a freshman last season with 920 points. She is the 31st player in USC history to reach 1,000 points.

Cheryl Miller, who is USC's career scoring leader at 3,018 points, reached 1,000 in 48 games.

Watkins finished Friday's game with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. She and teammate Kiki Iriafen each scored 20 points or more for the second time this season, making them the only duo in Division I to each score 20 points in the same game multiple times this season.

USC won 81-50 to improve to 4-0.

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The NBA is in serious discussions on a new tournament-style format for the 2025 All-Star Game, consisting of three All-Star teams of eight players each and the winner of the Rising Stars game, sources told ESPN on Friday.

League officials discussed the new format Friday with the competition committee consisting of governors, team executives, players, coaches and union personnel, sources said.

The four teams would face each other in matchups -- for instance, Team 1 versus Team 3 and Team 2 versus Team 4 -- and the winners move on to the final round of the tournament.

NBA team executives, coaches and players have discussed new All-Star Game concepts with league officials over the past six months, including extensive conversations at the summer league in Las Vegas in July. There have been discussions for a fresh and creative path forward for the All-Star Game, and this quick-burst, four-team tourney among the game's greatest players gained momentum among all parties, according to sources.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, the face of the host 2025 All-Star city in the Bay Area, has joined several All-Stars with input in this year's event, sources said.

Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty participated in the first NBA versus WNBA 3-point challenge at All-Star Saturday night this February in Indianapolis. Curry and Ionescu are in strong conversations to return in a variation of the shootout, which could include other NBA and WNBA players such as Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, sources said.

After the East defeated the West 211-186 in the highest-scoring All-Star Game in league history in February, NBA commissioner Adam Silver publicly and privately admitted the competition level had slipped drastically and there might not be a fix. The league and the National Basketball Players Association, however, maintained dialogue in recent months on how to add uniqueness to the 2025 event.

"We're looking at other formats," Silver said earlier this month. "I think there's no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year's All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans."

Silver added that the league was looking at making the All-Star Game "not a traditional game format."

The All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 16 at San Francisco's Chase Center.