The Times of India

Vinicius Junior expressed deep disappointment following Brazil's World Cup elimination. The star forward thanked supporters for their unwavering belief and encouragement. Brazil's quest for a sixth World Cup title ended in the Round of 16. This marked their earliest exit from the tournament since nineteen ninety. Vinicius pledged to continue fighting for Brazil's return to football's summit.

Alexander Zverev reached his first Wimbledon final with a straight-sets win over British wildcard Arthur Fery, staying on course for a second consecutive Grand Slam title. The German said he believes he can beat either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in the final. Zverev also praised Fery's potential and hailed the Wimbledon crowd for its fair and electric support.

Portugal have appointed Jorge Jesus as head coach following their World Cup exit, replacing Roberto Martinez. Backing Cristiano Ronaldo amid criticism, Jesus said the veteran will never be a problem and called him a symbol of Portuguese football. The 71-year-old, who recently coached Ronaldo at Al Nassr, now begins rebuilding Portugal ahead of future international tournaments.

Sachin Tendulkar attended the Wimbledon men's singles semifinals on Friday, where commentators hailed him as perhaps the greatest batsman of all time. The cricket legend watched British wild card Arthur Fery face French Open champion Alexander Zverev on Centre Court. A regular Wimbledon visitor, Tendulkar once again drew attention as one of the event's high-profile guests.

England batter Jordan Cox shared disappointment regarding Virat Kohli's privacy issues. Secret photographs of the former India captain surfaced online after a London meeting. Cox noted that hundreds of people passed by without interruption during their catch-up. He expressed sympathy for Kohli's inability to live a normal life away from cricket. Cox also praised Kohli's selfless nature and mentorship during their IPL stint.

Bruno Fernandes said he was sad, frustrated, and disappointed after Portugal's 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Spain ended their World Cup campaign. The Manchester United captain admitted he expected more from the talented squad and thanked his teammates, coaching staff and Portuguese fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament despite the disappointing exit.

As Norway cheers for its football team's remarkable journey to the World Cup quarter-finals, fans have adopted a rowing celebration that reflects their Viking roots. This captivating sync has turned heads during the tournament, yet one vigilant fan finds fault with the tribute, suggesting it's a misrepresentation of history and too closely resembles Iceland's beloved clap. His muted protest serves to challenge the celebration's genuine connection to Viking legacy.

England captain Harry Brook seeks a series whitewash against India. A victory in the final match will complete a memorable 4-0 triumph. This win could also see England replace India at the top. The team has already secured an unassailable 3-0 lead. They head into the final T20I full of confidence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Australian PM Anthony Albanese, gifting Steve Waugh a framed photo from their meeting nearly 20 years ago. The leaders unveiled a sports cooperation roadmap and backed stronger sporting ties. Albanese also announced Chennai will host the first-ever Big Bash League match outside Australia during the 2026-27 season.

New T20I captain Shreyas Iyer faces scrutiny after two series defeats. Former selector Saba Karim urges Iyer to assert his captaincy identity. Karim questioned batting order decisions, specifically Shivam Dube's placement at number five. He noted this differed from Iyer's IPL tactical approach. Leadership and communication are crucial for captains in pressure situations.

Smriti Mandhana celebrated her 300th international appearance during India's historic women's Test at Lord's, becoming the youngest woman to reach the milestone. She reflected on overcoming doubts after the 2017 World Cup and said Lord's was the perfect venue for the occasion. Mandhana also stressed moving on from setbacks and returning to basics while preparing for red-ball cricket.

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah shared an emotional message with fans after their World Cup exit. He promised to do everything in his power for Egyptian football's international success. The Pharaohs achieved a historic World Cup journey, topping their qualifying group. They secured their first knockout victory against Australia in a penalty shootout. Their dream run concluded with a narrow defeat against Argentina in the Round of 16.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India will review the men's T20I team's performance. This detailed review will commence immediately after the ongoing England tour concludes. The team has faced significant challenges during their recent white-ball matches. Problems will be identified and addressed following the series' conclusion. Team India aims to rectify issues and improve future team performances.

Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar detailed Virat Kohli's intense preparation methods. Kohli repeatedly practiced in Mumbai to simulate English swing and moisture. This meticulous work helped Indian batsmen succeed in England previously. The team now faces a challenging ODI series after a T20 disappointment. Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to lead the batting attack.

Kylian Mbappe made history with ten or more goal contributions across two FIFA World Cups. He became the youngest player to reach twenty World Cup appearances and goals. Mbappe also rejoined Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings. His performance helped France secure a two-nil victory against Morocco. France now advances to face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals.

Norway's Erling Haaland encouraged fans to search his name on Google. This action revealed an animated Viking Row celebration, a popular tradition. Haaland also revived his forgotten rap career with a new song remix. He has scored seven goals in the FIFA World Cup tournament. Norway now faces England in the quarter-finals after a historic win.

England secured an emphatic three-nil series victory over India in the T20I matches. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his profound disappointment and speechlessness following the defeat. Captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the team's shortcomings in all aspects of the game. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate admitted India's underperformance in foreign conditions.

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate expressed disappointment with the team's overseas T20I results. The team has now lost consecutive bilateral T20I series against England and Ireland. Ten Doeschate emphasised the need for players to accept underachievement in foreign conditions. He urged the squad to focus on excelling in challenging overseas environments for future tournaments. India aims to avoid a whitewash in the final T20I against England.

Ryan ten Doeschate on India's batting woes, Shreyas Iyer and the captaincy debate

Morocco's coach questioned a handball in Kylian Mbapp's goal during their World Cup quarter-final loss. He admitted France deserved their victory after a difficult first half for his team. Morocco struggled with possession transitions and lacked creativity against the strong French side. Despite the defeat, the coach believes his team is closing the gap on elite nations.

Los Angeles Knight Riders secured an eighteen-run victory over Washington Freedom in Dallas. Andre Fletcher and Matthew Tromp scored half-centuries to power their team's total. Sunil Narine's economical bowling spell proved crucial in restricting the opposition's chase. Narine's performance earned him the Player of the Match award for his efforts. The Knight Riders now move to third place in the league standings.

Morocco's World Cup journey concluded with a loss to France, leading to significant fan disturbances in London. Riots erupted on Edgware Road, with police confronting crowds throwing projectiles. Paris experienced largely peaceful celebrations despite initial concerns about potential unrest. Earlier, Moroccan supporters clashed with police in The Hague after a Round-of-16 victory.

This Friday, Lord's Cricket Ground will make history by hosting its first-ever women's Test match, featuring a thrilling four-day contest between England and India. This significant event marks a pivotal moment, as it comes more than fifty years after the venue's first womens international match. Ticket sales have soared, with over thirty thousand already sold. Unfortunately, India's opener Pratika Rawal will miss the match due to a knee injury.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faced disappointment after his dismissal in the fourth T20I match. He scored low scores in his first three international matches. Jofra Archer troubled the young batter with short-pitched bowling. Sooryavanshi came with high expectations after a sensational IPL and U-19 World Cup. India trails England three-nil in the ongoing five-match series.

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in a World Cup quarter-final match. This victory extended France's record of winning matches officiated by Argentinian referees. The appointment of an all-Argentinian refereeing team had sparked controversy before the game. Despite the debate, France secured their win and advanced to the next stage. FIFA defended the integrity and independence of its match officials.

FIFA has changed its VAR operations for the remainder of the 2026 World Cup, placing backup VAR officials inside stadiums after growing criticism over refereeing decisions during the knockout stages. The new system keeps Dallas as the central hub while adding on-site support to prevent technical disruptions. FIFA insists the move aims to improve reliability, not influence match decisions.

Kylian Mbappe's penalty was delayed for over three minutes by a VAR review. The France captain's initial penalty attempt was then comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. Despite the missed opportunity, Mbappe scored France's opening goal in the second half. He also assisted Ousmane Dembele for the second goal in their victory. This win secured France's place in the World Cup semifinals for a third consecutive time.

Czech tennis stars Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova will compete in an all-Czech Wimbledon final. This historic achievement guarantees a third Czech champion in four years at the tournament. Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk, while Muchova survived a thrilling match against Coco Gauff. Both players credit their nation's rich tennis history for their success. This remarkable dominance continues the legacy of Czech champions at Wimbledon.

Kylian Mbapp has moved ahead of Lionel Messi in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race despite both stars being level on eight goals. FIFAs tiebreaker rules favour Mbapp due to his three assists compared to Messis one. With Erling Haaland and Harry Kane still in contention, the battle for the tournaments top scorer remains wide open.

Kylian Mbappe achieved a rare FIFA World Cup feat by scoring and assisting against Morocco. He joined Lionel Messi in an exclusive club after a remarkable all-round performance. Mbappe recovered from a missed penalty to score his eighth goal of the tournament. He also provided an assist for Ousmane Dembele's crucial second goal. France advanced to the semifinals, continuing their title defense in the competition.

England secured the T20I series with a commanding nine-wicket victory over India. Captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the team fell short in all aspects of the game. India posted 158/7 after recovering from an early top-order collapse. England chased down the target quickly thanks to a strong partnership. Iyer expressed disappointment despite his personal unbeaten knock.

France secured a World Cup semifinal spot after defeating Morocco 2-0. Kylian Mbappe scored a crucial goal and assisted another for the team. He later sustained an ankle injury but reassured fans it was not serious. Mbappe's goal places him in contention for the Golden Boot award. France now prepares for a tough semifinal match against Spain or Belgium.

England secured their first bilateral T20I series victory against India. Harry Brook's team achieved this landmark after a commanding nine-wicket win. This defeat marked India's first back-to-back series loss since early 2019. Brook and Phil Salt's unbeaten 146-run partnership powered the chase. England's clinical chase entered their own record books.

Kylian Mbappe has made history in the World Cup by becoming the first player to score eight or more goals in two different tournaments. His remarkable achievement was punctuated with a goal against Morocco in the quarterfinals, bringing his total World Cup tally to twenty goals in only twenty matches. Next, France will go head-to-head with either Spain or Belgium in the upcoming clash.

In a thrilling display, Kylian Mbappe leveled the Golden Boot race with Lionel Messi by netting a vital goal for France in their match against Morocco. This achievement not only puts Mbappe on the same footing as Messi in goals scored but also sees him surpassing Messi in assists during the tournament. The quest for Golden Boot glory continues, with several contenders in the mix.

France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals with a commanding 2-0 win over Morocco, powered by second-half goals from Kylian Mbapp and Ousmane Dembl. Despite Yassine Bounous penalty save and several crucial stops, Morocco could not withstand Frances relentless pressure. Les Bleus now head to Dallas, where they will face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals.

Kylian Mbappe became the youngest player to reach twenty World Cup appearances. He achieved this milestone at twenty-seven years and two hundred one days old. Mbappe made his World Cup debut in 2018, helping France win the trophy. He also won the Golden Boot in Qatar 2022 with eight goals. Mbappe continues to break records and chase Messi's appearance total.

England secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over India in the fourth T20I match. This emphatic win sealed the five-match series for England with an unassailable 3-0 lead. Captain Harry Brook and opener Phil Salt led the successful chase with a strong partnership. Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 80 was the lone highlight for the Indian batting lineup. The hosts achieved the target with 37 balls remaining in the contest.

England secured a quarter-final spot after a thrilling 3-2 victory against Mexico. This dramatic match became Mexico's most-watched FIFA World Cup game of the 21st century. The high-octane encounter also set new audience records in the United States. England will now face Norway in their next World Cup quarter-final match. The winner advances to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.

Shreyas Iyer equalled Virat Kohli's record of six consecutive toss wins as India captain in T20Is and is now one shy of MS Dhoni's record of seven. Despite Iyer's luck at the toss, India have lost their last two matches to England. Injuries to Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy have further dented India's hopes ahead of the final two T20Is.

Sanju Samson's coach Biju George expressed disappointment over his omission from the Zimbabwe T20Is. George stated Samson deserved more opportunities after his World Cup heroics. He questioned the selectors' decisions regarding player treatment and opportunities. Samson's past junior career also saw similar perceived unfairness. The coach hopes Samson proves his critics wrong with future performances.

Argentina's Facundo Tello will referee the France-Morocco World Cup quarter-final, drawing attention for his strict officiating style after famously showing 10 red cards in an Argentine Super Cup match. FIFA's decision to appoint an all-Argentine refereeing team has sparked debate, but France's players dismissed concerns, insisting they are focused solely on preparing for Morocco.

Axar Patel will play his 100th T20 International match soon. This milestone follows his 100th T20I wicket taken recently. He expressed surprise at reaching this significant career landmark. Axar credited teammates, coaches, and family for his success. Representing India remains a cricketer's ultimate dream.

At just 15, Sooryavanshi has already made a name for himself after finishing as the highest run-scorer, leading six-hitter and Most Valuable Player in this year's Indian Premier League.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes the historic women's Test against England at Lord's is a chance to restore confidence after the T20 World Cup disappointment. She called playing at Lord's a dream and admitted adapting to red-ball cricket is challenging. Harmanpreet also hopes for more women's Tests in future and backed debutant spinner Shree Charani to make an impact.

Former Romania midfielder Gabriel Muresan has died at 44 after drowning in a lake near Apold, where he had served as mayor since 2020. The Romanian Football Federation and local authorities paid tribute to him. Muresan earned nine caps for Romania, won three league titles and three domestic cups with Cluj, and played in the UEFA Champions League.