Messi, who said he was thoroughly enjoying the ride at his sixth World Cup and giving no thought to retirement, was looking forward to locking horns with 2010 champions Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.
Who were the mothers who shaped Mahatma Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar, Narendra Modi and other well-known Indians?
Ridhima Dilawari extended her overnight lead to two shots after the second round of the tenth leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour in Kolar. Despite a late double bogey, Dilawari carded a 1-under 71, bringing her total to 5-under 139. Amandeep Drall and Vidhatri Urs are tied for second, two shots behind. Other notable performances include Vani Kapoor in fourth and young Saanvi Somu at even par.
Indian golfer Aditi Ashok, a two-time Olympian, discusses how regular competition on the LPGA Tour has elevated her game, with improving driving distance being her top priority. She is focused on achieving success at the upcoming Asian Games and other major tournaments, expressing confidence in the potential of India's women's golf team.
Linda Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk in straight sets to reach her maiden Grand Slam final, setting up a historic all-Czech Wimbledon title clash against compatriot Karolina Muchova and extending Czech dominance.
Three publishers have been remanded to 10-day police custody in Jammu for allegedly publishing and circulating books that glorify separatist leaders. The Counter Intelligence Unit is investigating the matter, which led to the blacklisting of two publishers and the suspension of several education department officials.
Indian-origin golfers Sahith Theegala and Sudarshan Yellamaraju experienced a disappointing final round at the Scottish Open, slipping down the leaderboard. South Korea's Tom Kim secured the title with a flawless performance, while Theegala and Yellamaraju finished tied for 66th and 52nd respectively.
Lionel Messi's profound influence, marked by crucial assists and strategic play, was instrumental in Argentina's victory over England, securing their spot in a second successive World Cup final. Despite not scoring, his collective contribution and energy preservation were key to the team's success, culminating in two late assists for the equaliser and winning goal.
Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed disappointment after their 2-0 World Cup quarter-final loss to France, acknowledging they faced a better team but stressing the need for self-criticism and progress despite leaving a 'good image'.
Rohit Sharma faces intense scrutiny over his form and future as India prepares for the series-deciding third ODI against England. Despite BCCI assurances, his recent struggles have fuelled speculation, especially concerning his ability to last until the 2027 ODI World Cup. The match is crucial for both Rohit to regain form and for India to clinch the series.
Despite decades of efforts towards energy transition, oil will remain the critical energy source for all nations for some decades. We can hope for peace opening the Strait of Hormuz, but must prepare for war closing it, points out former foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the team management's decision to drop T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson for the second T20 against England, calling it "bizarre" despite the debut of teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. India lost the match, trailing 0-1 in the five-match series.
As the FIFA World Cup concludes, we give you a curated list of the most impressive Hindi and English shows from 2026 to fill the OTT void.
The harsh truth is that the US is no longer a reliable partner, cautions Ramesh Menon.
Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history and a former West Indies captain, died in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Friday at the age of 89.
India's spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the ICC to integrate lower-ranked teams into every bilateral series, arguing that this is crucial for the sport's global expansion, beyond just expanding World Cup formats.
The Italian Football Federation has appointed legendary former captain Paolo Maldini as its new Technical Director, aiming to leverage his experience to revitalise the national team's international standing after recent World Cup qualification struggles.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel has expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma's ability to overcome his recent struggles in the ongoing ODI series against England, highlighting the calmness he brings to the team. Morkel also discussed the team's batting concerns, the need for middle-order breakthroughs, and his potential role in the 2027 World Cup.
Joe Root's patient, unbeaten 99 anchored England's chase of 234 against India, securing a four-wicket victory and levelling the three-match ODI series 1-1. India captain Shubman Gill attributed his side's defeat to a middle-order collapse, which saw them slump from 178 for 3 to 193 for 7.
Former England cricketers Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, Alastair Cook and David Lloyd jokingly claimed Sooryavanshi could be "burnt out by 21" after being left amazed by his explosive performances.
The Indian mixed trap teams had a disappointing performance at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, Italy, failing to qualify for medal matches. Despite this, the Indian contingent concluded the event with one gold medal, placing them joint third in the medal table alongside Australia. Italy topped the table with two golds.
The rain gods are starting to smile upon us. Just the occasion to celebrate with our Baarish special Bollywood quiz.
Barcelona legends Xavi Hernandez and Javier Mascherano discuss the profound influence of their former club on the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. They highlight the impact of La Masia-bred players like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi for Spain, and the enduring brilliance of Lionel Messi for Argentina, all products of Barcelona's footballing philosophy. Both former players express pride in the shared playing style and the quality of the final.
Lionel Messi's unparalleled influence extends beyond his on-field performance, transforming opponents into admirers. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Messi effect,' sees rival players expressing awe and seeking mementos after matches, highlighting his profound impact on the current generation of footballers.
Retiring England women's cricket icons, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont were paid a heartfelt tribute by the Indian cricket team after the historic one-off Women's Test at Lord's on Monday.
India captain Shreyas Iyer praised Ireland for their exceptional performance and strategic execution in securing a historic 2-0 T20I series victory. Ireland defeated India by 34 runs in the first match and then by a solitary run in the second, showcasing their understanding of local conditions and strong teamwork. Irish skipper Lorcan Tucker expressed disbelief and pride in his team's character, while player of the series Moondra highlighted the importance of sticking to basics.
Former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp shared a humorous exchange with France captain Kylian Mbappe after France's 2-0 victory over Morocco in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final, joking about Mbappe's prolific scoring and calling him a 'detector'.
'I am aware that my time is running out, and there's so much to do.'
Real Madrid great Jose Emilio Santamaria, a defender who won four European Cups with the club, has died at the age of 96, the Spanish side announced on Wednesday.
Thousands of Norwegian football fans gathered in Oslo in the early hours of Sunday to celebrate their national team's historic World Cup run, despite a quarter-final defeat to England. The "Viking row" ritual and widespread national pride marked an unexpected and memorable tournament for Norway.
Former India coach Stephen Constantine shares his views on Lionel Messi, ranking him below Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldinho due to his reliance on teammates for defensive work. He also predicts Spain will win the upcoming final against Argentina, despite acknowledging Argentina's experience and Messi's match-winning ability. Constantine further discusses England's semi-final exit and criticises hydration breaks and refereeing controversies.
The Atlanta Police Department has significantly increased security measures for the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, two nations with a historically fierce football rivalry, deploying additional personnel and resources across the city and stadium.
Legendary German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn offers his expert analysis on the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, highlighting tactical discipline, mental strength, and fine margins as key determinants. He previews the Spain vs France clash, discusses the evolving role of goalkeepers, and gives France a slight edge as the strongest contender.
Argentina has advanced to the World Cup final after defeating long-time rivals England with two late goals, sparking widespread celebrations across the country, particularly in Cutral Co, Patagonia, home to a new 85-foot statue of Lionel Messi.
France defender Ibrahima Konate says Les Bleus fear no one ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against Spain, while acknowledging the challenge posed by Lamine Yamal and the tournament's best defence.
India's new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer reflected on the team's disastrous series losses to Ireland and England, admitting they failed to adapt to English conditions. Despite the setbacks, Iyer views the experience as a crucial learning opportunity for himself as a leader and for the team, especially concerning future overseas tours and World Cup preparations. He highlighted the need for better adaptation, improved fielding, and strategic team combinations.
India head coach Amol Muzumdar is baffled that it has taken this long to stage a women's Test at Lord's, 142 years after the 'Home of Cricket' hosted a men's Test.
India's women's cricket team secured a commanding 270-run victory over England in a one-off Test match in London, completing a dominant all-round performance on Day 4.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police's Counter Intelligence wing has registered an FIR and conducted raids in connection with two controversial books allegedly glorifying separatists. The action follows objections from political groups and the suspension of education department officials.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli needs a strong performance at the Belgian Grand Prix to extend his Formula One championship lead, which has shrunk to 25 points over teammate George Russell, as a resurgent Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, poses a significant threat.
