It will have made uneasy viewing for coach Jorge Sampaoli and emphasised more than ever how reliant his side are on their talisman Messi, who has been struggling with a muscle problem.
Novak Djokovic eased into the last four with a commanding performance over Japan's Kei Nishikori but world number two Daniil Medvedev bowed out of the men's singles at the Tokyo Olympics.
Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu clinched hard-fought wins in their first round matches at Indian Wells.
The most famous WAG of this year's FIFA World Cup is definitely Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas' girlfriend and television presenter Sara Carbonero. Here's why.
Images from Day 3 of the US Open, at Flushing Meadows, New York.
Where does India figure on the list? Find out!
Images from the FIFA World Cup Quarter-final match between Portugal and Morocco on Saturday.
Homeland favorite Ashleigh Barty and Serbia's Novak Djokovic are the top seeds for the upcoming Australian Open.
Factbox on Rafael Nadal's French Open final wins
Regragui's tactical masterclass sends Portugal packing
Italy are one win away from being crowned champions of Europe
Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are top seeds at the major starting Monday
A look at the historic achievements by India's athletes in 2022.
Lakshya Sen has worked on his "speed and variations" to be battle ready for the new season.
Roger Federer suffered defeat for the second day in succession as United States completed a surprisingly comfortable victory over Switzerland in the Davis Cup World Group first round in Fribourg on Saturday.
India scripted history by successfully launching EMISAT, a military satellite, and 28 foreign nano satellites on-board its polar rocket from Sriharikota on Monday, in a complex mission which marked many a first for Indian Space Research Organisation.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's office said he was still considering whether to use his discretionary power to cancel Novak Djokovic's visa.
Russia took an unassailable 2-0 lead over Croatia in the Davis Cup final in Madrid on Sunday to secure their third title and first in 15 years, as Daniil Medvedev outlasted Croatian Marin Cilic 7-6(7), 6-2.
Officials said the agency had issued a notice to Karti to present himself in person or through an authorised representative and submit personal financial documents and those related to a firm this week.
Striker Kylian Mbappe will bounce back from missing the decisive penalty in France's shootout loss to Switzerland on Monday that saw the world champions exit Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage, coach Didier Deschamps said.
Tennis matches at the Ariake Tennis Park will begin from 3pm local time (0600 GMT) from Thursday, governing body International Tennis Federation said after requests from players who had struggled in the stifling weather.
Ministry of health and family welfare adds Hong Kong and Israel to the list of countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing considering the detection of new COVID variant 'Omicron' in South Africa.
The most impressive players at the FIFA World Cup 2022 after Round One.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
List of Australian Open men's singles champions since the event began in 1905 (Australian unless stated):
Each Round of 16 game was entertaining. Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com picks the games to remember.
Andujar, ranked 75th in the world, made a strong start, while Federer struggled to settle into his serving rhythm early on.
'I hope Brazil can win. It's a long time since 2002, and I think it's time'
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has asked FIFA why the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was not used to review two key decisions they believe hindered their side during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
Images from the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches on Sunday night.
The 2nd major of the year, the French Open will start on the weekend. With the clay-court grand slam starting on Sunday, here is the list of French Open champions over the years
Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com picks the very best players from what has been an outstanding tournament.
SBI said it provided credit to Orbital ATK Inc as part of a syndicated deal with other banks.
India has already asked the EU member countries to individually consider allowing Indians who have taken Covishield and Covaxin vaccines and want to travel to Europe.
Italy set up a Euro 2020 semi-final with Spain after first half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne led the Azzurri to a 2-1 victory over Belgium on Friday in an entertaining encounter in which both sides created a number of chances.
Italy's ability to get over the line in by far their biggest challenge of the Euros so far has made many people on the peninsula more convinced than ever of their ability to go on and win it on Sunday.
In view of the worsening situation in Yemen's capital Sana'a, India has shifted its embassy to Djibouti, adjoining the war-torn country, after the "successful" conclusion of the process to evacuate its nationals, government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Albin Ekdal does not care about criticism that they are too defensive and dependent on long balls.
World number one Rafael Nadal begins his French Open title defence, on Monday, with a clash against Italy's Simone Bolelli on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
