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…
Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian (23) waves to fans after the World Cup Group G match against New Zealand in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. (AP Photo) WASHINGTON: In a dazzling display of footballing resilience, Iran’s national football team managed a creditable 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles. It was a remarkable feat, considering the squad…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring the opening goal. (AP Photo) Lionel Messi added yet another extraordinary chapter to his storied career, scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria and move level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose atop the tournament’s all-time scoring charts.The…
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…
India’s Harsh Dubey attends a training session in Lucknow. (AP Photo) TimesofIndia.com in Lucknow: It took Surendra Dubey and Jyoti Dubey nearly 24 hours to travel from Nagpur to Lucknow. A delayed train only added to the journey, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the proud parents, who had missed watching their son Harsh…
Norway’s Erling Haaland (9) celebrates his second goal of the match during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) Norway’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup ended in celebration as Ståle Solbakken’s side defeated Iraq 4-1 in their…
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…
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…
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…
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…
