The World Cup is over, but there’s still one soccer category in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle. The purple category is a real stumper today, with some creative clues. If you’re struggling with the puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group hint: Carry the torch and light the cauldron.

Green group hint: Don’t do that in the World Cup!

Blue group hint: Hoopsters with potential.

Purple group hint: Crimson or scarlet.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Summer Olympic sports.

Green group: Against the rules in soccer.

Blue group: WNBA rookies.

Purple group: Things that are red.

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is Summer Olympic sports.

The four answers are equestrian, field hockey, volleyball and water polo.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is against the rules in soccer.

The four answers are foul handball, offside and simulation.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is WNBA rookies.

The four answers are Betts, Fam, Fudd and Miles.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is things that are red.

The four answers are boxing gloves, coach’s challenge flag, dodgeball and goal light.

CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of “Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the ’70s and ’80s,” as well as “The Totally Sweet ’90s.” She’s been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She’s Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she’ll be first in line.

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