The Times of India

After leading Argentina national football team to a hard-fought 3-2 win over Cape Verde, Lionel Messi joked that his opponents kick the crap out of me before asking for selfies and jerseys. Messi praised Argentina's set-piece improvement but admitted the defending champions struggled to control the game and need to improve.

Calls for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India debut intensify after a record IPL season, but former selector Saba Karim urges patience. Karim defended Sanju Samson's current place, highlighting his match-winning form. He emphasized that Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the senior squad is a significant learning opportunity, allowing him to develop in a competitive environment before earning his playing XI spot.

Luka Modric's World Cup journey concluded dramatically, a poignant end to a legendary career. Despite a heartbreaking exit, his impact on Croatian football is undeniable, bridging the nation's past struggles with its present powerhouse status. Modric's elegant play, reminiscent of sporting greats, brought joy and order to the game, leaving an indelible legacy beyond mere medals. His fifth World Cup bid may be over, but his influence endures.

Portugal edged out Croatia 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup encounter, marking a poignant end to Luka Modric's illustrious international career. A controversial late equalizer, disallowed by technology, sealed Croatia's fate. The match also highlighted the enduring rivalry and mutual respect between Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, former Real Madrid teammates, as they shared a heartfelt moment on the field.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached the Round of 16, with heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands eliminated. Defending champions Argentina national football team survived a scare to qualify alongside 15 other teams. Blockbuster ties include Mexico vs England and Portugal vs Spain as the tournament enters its straight knockout phase.

Cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin lauded FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde for their inspiring campaign. Despite a narrow 3-2 extra-time loss to Argentina, the African nation captivated audiences with their fearless play, securing draws against Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Their remarkable journey, marked by tenacious comebacks against the reigning champions, has significantly enhanced their global reputation.

Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik has been banned by FIDE for two years, with the second year suspended, over unethical conduct linked to public cheating allegations against players including David Navara and Daniel Naroditsky. FIDE cited bullying, unjustified accusations and procedural violations. Kramnik has vowed to appeal the ruling.

Jhon Arias' early goal propelled Colombia to a 1-0 victory over Ghana, securing their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. Despite an early injury to Jhon Crdoba, Colombia dominated, with Luis Surez providing the assist for Arias' decisive strike. Colombia's strong defensive performance and attacking flair have positioned them as serious contenders, setting up a clash with Switzerland next.

Ahead of the India Rising: Road to EWC Chess LAN Finals in Mumbai on Saturday, Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi spoke to TimesofIndia.com about his journey through the qualifiers, India's growing stature in world chess, and the evolving relationship between chess and esports. Reflecting on a near-elimination scare, Vidit backed India's dedicated EWC pathway and expressed his determination to secure a place at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris.

Defending champions Argentina narrowly escaped a major upset, defeating debutants Cabo Verde 3-2 in extra time to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. Lionel Messi opened the scoring, but Cabo Verde fought back twice. An own goal ultimately sealed Argentina's victory, with Messi acknowledging the tough challenge and praising his opponents' spirited performance. The win keeps Argentina on track, with Messi extending his scoring record.

India has secured a permanent qualification pathway to the Esports World Cup through the India Rising initiative, a collaboration between JioBLAST, Chess.com and the EWC Foundation. Leveraging the country's chess dominance and massive gaming market, the initiative aims to create a long-term pipeline for Indian talent. On Saturday, using this pathway, Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi could become the fourth Indian to qualify for the EWC main event.

Defending champions Argentina narrowly escaped a major upset, needing extra time to defeat a spirited Cape Verde 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 32 World Cup match. Despite Lionel Messi scoring, the tournament newcomers showcased incredible resilience, pushing Argentina to its limits. Fans flooded social media timelines with admiration for Cape Verdes extraordinary performance.

Formula 1 witnesses a stunning rookie season as 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli leads the championship, 40 points ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Former champion Damon Hill draws parallels to his own career, highlighting the challenge of a teammate's emergence. Hill believes Antonelli, with superior equipment and a points lead, is the favorite for the title, though Russell faces a significant challenge to catch up.

Egypt's historic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 victory over Australia was marked by an emotional tribute from coach Hossam Hassan, who raised the Palestinian flag and dedicated the win to both nations. The Pharaohs secured their first-ever knockout stage advancement via a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. They now face Argentina or Cape Verde in the Round of 16.

Lionel Messi has made history once again by becoming the first footballer to score seven goals across two distinct FIFA World Cup editions. His recent goal against Cape Verde elevated his 2026 tournament total to seven, putting him ahead of Kylian Mbapp in the race for the Golden Boot. This incredible achievement, spanning eight consecutive World Cup matches, highlights Messi's lasting brilliance as he leads Argentina into the next stage.

Defending champions Argentina faced a fierce challenge but managed to edge out Cape Verde with a thrilling 3-2 win in extra time, earning their place in the World Cup Round of 16. Lionel Messi kicked off the scoring, only for the determined Blue Sharks to bounce back twice. A dramatic own goal in the final moments cemented Argentina's progress while Cape Verde ended their unforgettable debut with honor.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's international debut remains elusive, sparking debate among cricket legends like Michael Vaughan and Sunil Gavaskar. Despite immense hype and stellar performances in U-19 World Cup and IPL, the young sensation has been benched for recent T20Is. Selectors cite 'appropriate time,' but fans and former players are questioning the delay, eager to witness the prodigy's talent on the global stage.

Lionel Messi etched his name in history, becoming the first player to score in eight consecutive FIFA World Cup matches during Argentina's thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde. His 20th World Cup goal, a record-breaker, propelled Argentina into the Round of 16. Messi also leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals, further solidifying his legendary status on the global stage.

India faces England in the second T20I at Manchester on Saturday, hoping for clear skies after the first match was washed out. Despite a strong batting performance from Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, rain prevented a result. The forecast indicates a high chance of further showers, posing a challenge for an uninterrupted contest. Both teams aim for a win after India's recent series loss to Ireland.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's sensational IPL performance has him on the cusp of an India debut, with fans and experts eagerly awaiting his first international cap. Despite being named in squads for Ireland and England series, the young batter remains on the bench. Old Trafford, the venue where Sachin Tendulkar scored his maiden century, could be the historic stage for Sooryavanshi's potential record-breaking debut.

Former captain Kapil Dev weighed in on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's delayed India debut, urging selectors to pick him based on ability, not age. Comparing him to a young Sachin Tendulkar, Dev cautioned against excessive hype while acknowledging the 15-year-old's immense T20 talent. He stressed that Sooryavanshi's true test will be overcoming inevitable tough phases in his career.

The cricket world has been waiting for Sooryavanshi's India debut ever since he was picked for the tour of the UK following his performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026.

Friday's victory, which featured 107 winners -- 67 of them from Rinderknech -- saw Djokovic draw level with Roger Federer's record of 105 singles match wins on the mens draw at Wimbledon. The pair trail only Martina Navratilova, who holds the all-time mark with 120 victories at the grass-court major.

The incident took place during the Shpageeza Cricket League match between Band-e-Amir Dragons and Mis Ainak Knights on Friday.

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel affirmed continued backing for openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, despite calls for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut. Morkel emphasised faith in proven performers and avoiding disrupting batting order. He praised Sooryavanshi's smooth integration and potential readiness for future opportunities, while also commending pacers Prince Yadav and Harshit Rana for their impressive performances.

Videos and pictures of Bolt watching the match quickly spread across social media. Even years after retiring from athletics, the eight-time Olympic gold medallist continues to draw attention wherever he goes.

Excitement is building for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential India debut against England. Despite a sensational IPL, he awaits his international bow. Legendary Kapil Dev, while acknowledging his immense talent akin to Tendulkar and Kohli, urges caution against excessive hype, emphasising the need for him to prove himself in longer formats. The debate intensifies as India seeks a turnaround in the T20 series.

Stokes announced his retirement during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Moments after issuing an official statement, he claimed his final wicket for England.

England has unveiled a 16-member squad for their upcoming ODI series against India, featuring maiden call-ups for uncapped all-rounder James Coles and fast bowler Josh Tongue. The return of Jofra Archer after a significant break also bolsters their pace attack. India is anticipated to field a formidable lineup, with key players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah expected to participate, while Virat Kohli's availability hinges on his fitness.

Morne Morkel on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prince Yadav & Indias bowling plan in Manchester

Portugal secured victory through Ronaldo's penalty and a stoppage-time header from Goncalo Ramos. But the biggest talking point came in the closing minutes when Croatia had a late equaliser ruled out after a VAR review.

England has brought back Jofra Archer and handed a T20I debut to Josh Tongue for the second T20I against India in Manchester. The opening match was abandoned due to rain after India posted a strong 189/7, with Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer starring with the bat. Both teams now aim to take a crucial lead in the series.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again captured the attention of football fans around the world after Portugals thrilling FIFA World Cup Round of 32 win over Croatia. The Portuguese captain shared a special moment from the team hotel. Where he celebrated with hundreds of supporters gathered outside. His video quickly spread across social media and received millions of views.

The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed Nagelsmann's resignation on Friday, four days after Germany were knocked out by Paraguay in the round of 32 following a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson argues his team's progress shouldn't be solely judged by results against India, highlighting the current Indian side's dominance over every team. He pointed out Pakistan's strong performance in other matches, emphasizing their significant improvement in win percentages over the past year, moving from a low standing to winning a majority of their games.

India's campaign at the Canada Open on Thursday ended after Aakarshi Kashyap and Tanya Hemanth suffered second-round defeats in women's singles. Aakarshi pushed Beiwen Zhang to three games, while Tanya lost to Riko Gunji. Earlier exits, including Kidambi Srikanth's injury retirement, ended India's challenge in Markham.

The build-up to Egypts FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Australia took an unexpected turn after a confrontation broke out between a member of the Egyptian delegation and a US police officer outside the teams hotel in Dallas. The incident happened as players were meeting fans gathered outside the hotel for photos and autographs.

India's surprising decision to bat first in the opening T20I against England, despite overcast conditions, is attributed by Dinesh Karthik to a lingering 'Ireland hangover' from their recent series defeat. The team posted a strong 189/7 before rain abandoned the match. Captain Shreyas Iyer also achieved a personal milestone, crossing 5,000 international runs during his impressive knock.

Deepti Sharma compared MS Dhoni to Novak Djokovic, saying both legends share an exceptional ability to remain calm under pressure. Attending The Championships, Wimbledon for the first time, Deepti called it a dream come true, named Djokovic her favourite tennis player, and said she would love to watch tennis alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar.

Spain has continued their impressive FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 32. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added another goal as Luis de la Fuentes side booked their place in the round of 16 with another dominant performance.

England manager Thomas Tuchel sees a chance for destiny to favour his side at the Azteca Stadium, calling it 'karma' as they face Mexico in a crucial World Cup match. Despite the altitude challenge, Tuchel is confident England can overcome the conditions through tactical play and mental strength. He also highlighted the potential importance of hydration breaks, a tactic that proved useful in their previous win.

Algeria's captain, Riyad Mahrez, has retired from international football after their World Cup exit. The 35-year-old's illustrious career, marked by 119 caps and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, concluded with a 2-0 loss to Switzerland. Mahrez leaves behind a legacy of 40 goals and 45 assists, solidifying his status as an African football great. His departure signals the end of a significant era for Algerian football.

MI New York defeated Seattle Orcas by five runs in a thrilling Major League Cricket contest. Quinton de Kock's 61 guided MINY to 132/8 before Romario Shepherd's 3/16 restricted Seattle's chase. Marcus Stoinis fought with 36, while Jasdeep Singh's late assault sparked hopes, but Kieron Pollard held his nerve in the final over.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended the VAR decisions in his side's dramatic 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia, insisting here were no bad decisions and backing the use of ball technology. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic criticised the officiating as very bad refereeing but admitted his side had chances to win before Goncalo Ramos' stoppage-time winner.

Spain's Lamine Yamal has etched his name in history, becoming the youngest European player to achieve 10 major tournament victories at just 18 years old. He surpassed Kylian Mbappe's record by a significant margin during Spain's dominant 3-0 win over Austria. Despite an injury setback, Yamal showcased his electrifying form, earning Player of the Match. Spain's flawless defensive record continues as they advance to face Portugal.

Cricket circles are buzzing over teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's delayed India debut. While assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate advocates for a gradual integration, former Proteas captain AB de Villiers argues the Ireland series was the perfect platform. Legends like Shastri and Vaughan also voiced similar sentiments, suggesting Sooryavanshi should have been given a chance to gain international experience against a less formidable opponent.

India's endurance movement is steadily growing beyond a niche community of runners and cyclists. Record participation at road races, the rise of run clubs and a younger generation embracing marathons, triathlons and ultra-runs reflect a changing fitness culture. IRONMAN triathlete Renee Noronha and ultra-runner Sufiya Sufi are among the athletes witnessing that change, while speaking about the preparation, patience, and consistency that endurance sports demand.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with Portugal fans after his side's dramatic 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia. Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal before Goncalo Ramos netted a stoppage-time winner. Croatia's late equaliser was controversially ruled out by VAR, sparking protests, while Ronaldo and longtime former teammate Luka Modric shared an emotional post-match embrace.