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…

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez hugs Cristiano Ronaldo during an international friendly soccer match between Portugal and Nigeria in Leiria, Portugal, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida) Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign is set to begin under the shadow of a major decision that could reshape the national team beyond this summer. Roberto Martinez…

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…

Lots of slick interplay and intricate passing from the defending champions, capped by a trademark moment of magic from Lionel Messi, have given Argentina a 1-0 advantage over Algeria at the break. Yet Algeria remain very much in the contest after a spirited first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Messi once again carved his name into…

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…

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…

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…

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…