Search results for 'opening matches'

SEE: Inside Belgium's wild dressing room celebrations

SEE: Inside Belgium's wild dressing room celebrations

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Belgium's dressing room erupted in celebration after their dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Senegal, with match-winner Youri Tielemans leading the festivities.

Pharaohs Prove Mettle With Impressive Belgium Draw

Pharaohs Prove Mettle With Impressive Belgium Draw

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan expressed pride in his team's performance after a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their World Cup opener. Despite coming close to a historic win, Hassan highlighted the team's quality, ambition, and the strong contributions of players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, asserting that Egypt is not just there to "make up the numbers." The draw is seen as a significant step in reinventing the national team's identity.

2nd T20I: Will India stick with Samson or pick Sooryavanshi?

2nd T20I: Will India stick with Samson or pick Sooryavanshi?

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Sanju Samson heads into the second T20I against England with his place under the spotlight, as teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waits in the wings after another underwhelming outing from the India opener.

Football's race problem resurfaces after Garcia's Senegal remarks

Football's race problem resurfaces after Garcia's Senegal remarks

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Rudi Garcia's comments about Senegal's tactical structure, along with other pundit remarks, have reignited scrutiny over racially coded language in World Cup commentary, drawing criticism from scholars and anti-racism advocates who argue such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Black players and African teams.

How India's U-19 Boys Clinched A World Youth Table Tennis Spot

How India's U-19 Boys Clinched A World Youth Table Tennis Spot

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

India's U-19 boys' table tennis team defeated Hong Kong 3-1 in the Asian Youth Championships quarterfinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal and a direct qualification for the 2027 World Youth Table Tennis Championships. The team will now face top seeds China in the semifinals. In contrast, the Indian U-19 girls' team lost to Hong Kong and will need to qualify through a separate process, while the U-15 teams also faced defeats in their respective quarterfinal matches.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil rally to edge Japan in Round of 32 thriller

FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil rally to edge Japan in Round of 32 thriller

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Five-times champions Brazil came back strongly from a one goal deficit to beat Japan 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash at the Houston Stadium on Monday.

Devdutt Padikkal Stars Before Weather Ends India A-Sri Lanka A Test in Draw

Devdutt Padikkal Stars Before Weather Ends India A-Sri Lanka A Test in Draw

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Devdutt Padikkal scored a patient 67 as India A set Sri Lanka A a target of 312, but persistent rain forced the opening unofficial Test in Galle to end in a draw.

'They showed who is the boss'

'They showed who is the boss'

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Zlatan Ibrahimovic praises Mexico after Ecuador victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match on Tuesday.

Egypt down Australia on penalties for first World Cup knock-out win

Egypt down Australia on penalties for first World Cup knock-out win

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Egypt secured their first-ever World Cup knockout victory, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a last-32 match at Dallas Stadium, advancing to the last-16.

Politics and Football Collide Again as Iran Hold Belgium Amid Protests

Politics and Football Collide Again as Iran Hold Belgium Amid Protests

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

At the Iran-Belgium FIFA World Cup match, least one attendee wearing a pre-revolutionary flag shirt was detained for trying to run onto the pitch and Iranian player Alireza Jahanbakhsh said after the match that he doesn't want to keep focusing on the challenging situations faced by his team.

Greek Tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis Takes Helm At Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Greek Tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis Takes Helm At Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Mohun Bagan Super Giant has appointed Greek tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis as their new head coach on a one-year contract. Known for his attacking yet balanced style and ability to blend youth with experience, Dilmperis aims to build a disciplined and courageous side to compete for all trophies, acknowledging the high expectations and the significance of the Kolkata Derby.

Stuttgart Open: Gauff, Rybakina storm into quarters

Stuttgart Open: Gauff, Rybakina storm into quarters

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff secured their spots in the Stuttgart Open quarter-finals with straight-set victories. Mirra Andreeva also advanced, setting up a clash with Iga Swiatek.

Who Will Lift The FIFA World Cup Trophy? Meet The Final 8 Teams

Who Will Lift The FIFA World Cup Trophy? Meet The Final 8 Teams

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals are set, featuring a diverse lineup of one South American, one African, and six European teams, including defending champions Argentina and France, alongside surprise packages like Morocco and Norway, all vying for football's ultimate prize.

Nagal Ends Title Drought With Challenger Victory

Nagal Ends Title Drought With Challenger Victory

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal secured his seventh ATP Challenger singles title, defeating Felix Balshaw in the Intaro Open final in Targu Mures, Romania. This victory marks his first Challenger title in over two years, ending a significant drought and earning him 75 ATP ranking points, expected to boost his world ranking to around No. 219.

Big relief as Jasprit Bumrah breaks five-match wicketless run

Big relief as Jasprit Bumrah breaks five-match wicketless run

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

Mitchell McClenaghan hails Jasprit Bumrah's first-over spell as a "masterstroke" after MI pacer ends wicket drought and strikes early against Gujarat Titans.

Germany's defensive frailties haunt them again in Paraguay defeat

Germany's defensive frailties haunt them again in Paraguay defeat

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Germany's World Cup misery continued as Paraguay stunned the four-time champions on penalties in the Round of 32, extending a decade-long decline marked by defensive frailties and major tournament disappointments since 2014.

Modric vs Ronaldo at FIFA World Cup: Legends set for epic battle

Modric vs Ronaldo at FIFA World Cup: Legends set for epic battle

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Portugal and Croatia face off in a high-stakes Round of 32 clash in Toronto on Thursday, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric both eyeing a deep World Cup run in what could be the final chapter of their legendary international careers.

Cape Verde make history; set up date with Argentina in Round of 32

Cape Verde make history; set up date with Argentina in Round of 32

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Debutants Cape Verde have made history by qualifying for the World Cup round of 32 after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. This unexpected achievement sets up a clash with defending champions Argentina. Despite a low-quality match, Cape Verde secured second place in their group, sparking celebrations among players and fans, while Uruguay and Saudi Arabia were eliminated.

Messi milestone as second-string Argentina whip Jordan

Messi milestone as second-string Argentina whip Jordan

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Lionel Messi made history by scoring in his seventh consecutive World Cup match, leading a second-string Argentina to a 3-1 victory over Jordan in their Group J clash in Dallas. Goals from Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez also contributed to Argentina's win, setting them up for the round of 32.

FIFA World Cup: Can Messi Break More Records Against Austria?

FIFA World Cup: Can Messi Break More Records Against Austria?

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Lionel Messi is poised to further cement his legendary status as Argentina faces Austria in a crucial FIFA World Cup Group J match. Following a record-breaking hat-trick against Algeria, Messi is on the verge of equalling or surpassing several all-time World Cup records, including consecutive goals, total goals, and match victories. The football world watches as he leads Argentina against a formidable Austrian side.

Sinner disposes of Jodar to reach Madrid Open semi-finals

Sinner disposes of Jodar to reach Madrid Open semi-finals

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Jannik Sinner defeated Rafael Jodar in the Madrid Open quarter-finals, securing his spot in the semi-finals and becoming the sixth player to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP 1000 Masters tournaments.

How Orlando Gill Inspired Paraguay's Stunning Shootout Win Over Germany

How Orlando Gill Inspired Paraguay's Stunning Shootout Win Over Germany

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

In one of the biggest upsets ever seen at the World Cup, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved the efforts of Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade before Jonathan Tah fired over the bar, paving the way for Jose Canale to blast home the decisive spot kick.

The night England conquered the Azteca

The night England conquered the Azteca

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

England overcame Mexico, the hostile Azteca atmosphere, high altitude and a red card to seal a dramatic 3-2 World Cup victory, with Jude Bellingham inspiring a famous win that could define their tournament.

Naomi Osaka's 'Kill Bill' Kimono Outfit Turns Heads At Wimbledon

Naomi Osaka's 'Kill Bill' Kimono Outfit Turns Heads At Wimbledon

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Naomi Osaka walked onto Court 3 in an all-white kimono, the traditional national dress of Japan, paired with a traditional kanzashi hair ornament, before unveiling a white Nike dress.

Wimbledon 2026: Osaka turns up heat to power past Kasatkina; Sabalenka trounces Ostapenko

Wimbledon 2026: Osaka turns up heat to power past Kasatkina; Sabalenka trounces Ostapenko

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Naomi Osaka continued to make a statement at Wimbledon as she paired her flair off the court with growing confidence on it to dismiss unseeded Australian Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3 on Friday and reach the last 16 for the first time.

Who are the other men's contenders to look out for at the French Open?

Who are the other men's contenders to look out for at the French Open?

Rediff.com20 May 2026

With Carlos Alcaraz out, the French Open men's singles draw is wide open. Clay-court specialists and rising stars are vying for the title at Roland Garros.

Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Dominates Pune Chess Event

Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Dominates Pune Chess Event

Rediff.com5 Jul 2026

Top seed Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta secured a decisive victory against Aleksej Alexandrov in the sixth round of the Pune International Grandmaster Round Robin Chess Tournament, maintaining his sole lead. Indian International Masters Aswath S and Kushagra Mohan are in second and third positions, respectively, with three rounds remaining.

'Anything is possible': Cape Verde's fairytale run continues at World Cup

'Anything is possible': Cape Verde's fairytale run continues at World Cup

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Cape Verde, a tiny island nation, has made history by advancing to the round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup: What Ronaldo Did After Portugal's Win...

FIFA World Cup: What Ronaldo Did After Portugal's Win...

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo led an emotional tribute to his late team-mate Diogo Jota after Portugal's World Cup victory. over Croatia, marking the first anniversary of Jota's death. Ronaldo, visibly moved, wore Jota's jersey and pointed to the sky, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans and teammates.

Why Kane Williamson decided to quit cricket

Why Kane Williamson decided to quit cricket

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

'... I see a group, a really, really talented group that have that journey ahead of them that are totally invested in wanting to do some special things with this New Zealand cricket team that I've been incredibly fortunate to have been a part of for such a long period of time.'

Argentina captain Lionel Messi to start on bench against Jordan

Argentina captain Lionel Messi to start on bench against Jordan

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that star player Lionel Messi will start on the bench for their final World Cup Group F match against Jordan.

No unfair treatment, Sooryavanshi deserved his chance, says Rajiv Shukla

No unfair treatment, Sooryavanshi deserved his chance, says Rajiv Shukla

Rediff.com5 Jul 2026

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajiv Shukla on Sunday congratulated Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on becoming India's youngest international cricketer, saying the teenager earned his opportunity on merit.

Coach rues missed opportunities against Iran

Coach rues missed opportunities against Iran

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Belgium, who missed a slew of scoring chances against Iran on Sunday, have taken only two points from their opening two matches despite entering the tournament as favourites to progress from the group.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Harry Kane double strike fires England into last 16

FIFA World Cup 2026: Harry Kane double strike fires England into last 16

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Harry Kane rose to rescue England, striking twice in the span of 11 minutes as the former champions fought back from a goal down to beat a a gritty Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup last-32 clash in Atlanta on Wednesday.

'Play him now!' Ex-selector's big call on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

'Play him now!' Ex-selector's big call on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Former India selector Sarandeep Singh has advocated for the inclusion of 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian playing eleven for the upcoming T20 series opener against England. Singh believes Sooryavanshi, who was in stellar form in the IPL and for India A, should be given an opportunity to debut, potentially becoming India's youngest cricketer.

Ex-India cricketers slam selectors over Sooryavanshi's omission from Ireland series

Ex-India cricketers slam selectors over Sooryavanshi's omission from Ireland series

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani reckons selectors missed an opportunity by leaving teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the Ireland T20Is, and says he should now be backed for the white-ball series against England, starting on Wednesday (July 1).

Marta Kostyuk downs Mirra Andreeva for Madrid Open crown

Marta Kostyuk downs Mirra Andreeva for Madrid Open crown

Rediff.com3 May 2026

Marta Kostyuk defeated Mirra Andreeva in straight sets to win the Madrid Open title, marking her third singles title.

IPL 2026, RCB vs MI: Can Royal Challengers batters snap two-match losing run vs Mumbai Indians?

IPL 2026, RCB vs MI: Can Royal Challengers batters snap two-match losing run vs Mumbai Indians?

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be looking to improve their batting performance and end their two-match losing streak when they face Mumbai Indians. RCB's batting lineup needs to regain its form to secure a spot in the IPL playoffs.

India Dominates Kazakhstan To Reach Badminton Junior Quarterfinals

India Dominates Kazakhstan To Reach Badminton Junior Quarterfinals

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Team India secured a dominant 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their opening Group C match at the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships in Yatsushiro, Tokyo, sealing their spot in the quarterfinals. The Indian team showcased strong performances in both sets, preparing for their upcoming clash against Chinese Taipei.

Mbappe scores twice as France rout Sweden to make last 16

Mbappe scores twice as France rout Sweden to make last 16

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Kylian Mbappe scored two goals, leading France to a dominant 3-0 victory over Sweden in the World Cup Round of 32. This win maintains France's perfect record and sets up a last-16 clash with Paraguay, with Mbappe continuing his impressive World Cup scoring streak.