NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi celebrated a historic night with tears, a hat-trick and yet another record as Argentina began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J at the Kansas City Stadium.The 38-year-old was seen emotional after scoring the first of his three goals, leaving fans wondering…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal. (AP Photo) Lionel Messi turned back the clock once again as defending champions Argentina launched their FIFA World Cup title defence in emphatic fashion, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in a commanding 3-0 victory…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring the opening goal. (AP Photo) Lionel Messi added another chapter to his remarkable legacy on Tuesday, becoming only the second player in history to score in five different FIFA World Cups as defending champions Argentina took control against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium.Making his record sixth appearance at football’s…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi waves to fans ahead of the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Lionel Messi added another milestone to one of football’s most decorated careers when he made his 200th appearance for Argentina during the nation’s opening Group…
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi against Sri Lanka A players NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka Cricket has reportedly punished some players involved in the heated scenes that followed the India A vs Sri Lanka A tri-series match in Dambulla. The game ended dramatically with Sri Lanka A winning in the Super Over after both teams scored 265, but the…
Grandmaster Mitrabha Guha stays on the hot seat NEW DELHI: For those unfamiliar with India’s iconic quiz show “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC), hosted by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, the term “hot seat” may evoke a bizarre image. But, in reality, it is where contestants sit opposite Bachchan in the Indian version of “Who Wants to…
The Australian referee Shaun Evans (L) has been cleared by FIFA of any wrongdoing. (IANS Photo) FIFA has cleared Australian video review official Shaun Evans of any wrongdoing after investigating a hand gesture that resembled a white supremacist symbol, with the governing body’s independent disciplinary committee finding no evidence of a breach of its code.The…
France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Kylian Mbappé entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an opportunity to add another chapter to…
New Zealand’s Sarpreet Singh (10) battles for the ball (AP Photo/Andre Penner) NEW DELHI: New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh created history by becoming the first player of Indian origin to start a FIFA World Cup 2026 match. Coach Darren Bazeley kept faith in him until he was substituted in the 90th minute. New Zealand will…
Tino Livramento of England (Getty Images) England have been dealt a setback on the eve of their World Cup campaign after defender Tino Livramento was ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury, prompting a last-minute change to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.The Newcastle United full-back sustained the injury during a training session on Sunday. Following…
