News for 'opening matches'

FIFA World Cup: 'Messi's feats are no longer surprising'

FIFA World Cup: 'Messi's feats are no longer surprising'

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

With a dazzling hat-trick against Algeria, Lionel Messi once again defied age, expectations and logic at the World Cup, prompting coach Lionel Scaloni to call his performances "inexplicable" and admit he is simply no longer surprised by the Argentine legend's brilliance.

Deschamps thanks Mbappe, France squad for support after mother's death

Deschamps thanks Mbappe, France squad for support after mother's death

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

'Kylian's gesture touched me deeply'

Lakshya, Sindhu Lead Indian Charge At Thailand Open

Lakshya, Sindhu Lead Indian Charge At Thailand Open

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu will lead India's challenge at the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament, following the country's bronze-medal finish at the Thomas Cup Finals.

Ben Stokes' Final Test: England Stumble In Pursuit Of Victory Target

Ben Stokes' Final Test: England Stumble In Pursuit Of Victory Target

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

England are on the verge of defeat in Ben Stokes' final international match, needing 270 runs with only six wickets remaining against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Despite Stokes' aggressive opening knock, England lost four quick wickets in their chase of 373, leaving New Zealand in a dominant position on day four. Daryl Mitchell's resilient century was a highlight for New Zealand.

Salah Stars as Egypt Rewrite History With Maiden World Cup Victory

Salah Stars as Egypt Rewrite History With Maiden World Cup Victory

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Mohamed Salah scored and assisted as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver, securing the country's first-ever FIFA World Cup victory and moving top of Group G.

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.

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.

FIFA WC 2026: Algeria come from behind to edge Jordan 2-1

FIFA WC 2026: Algeria come from behind to edge Jordan 2-1

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Algeria rallied to eliminate debutants Jordan and keep their Round of 32 hopes alive at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Yamal ignites Spain's goal rush in 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia

FIFA World Cup 2026: Yamal ignites Spain's goal rush in 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Inspired by Lamine Yamal, Spain strolled to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group H on Sunday, where Mikel Oyarzabal restored his reputation with two goals and Luis de la Fuente's side found their groove after an underwhelming World Cup opener.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ghana witch doctor ends Kane spell after England's goal-less night

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ghana witch doctor ends Kane spell after England's goal-less night

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

A Ghanaian witch doctor says he has "released" England captain Harry Kane from his spell after the striker failed to find the net in Tuesday's goalless draw at the World Cup.

Andreeva stretched by Baptiste on way to Madrid Open final

Andreeva stretched by Baptiste on way to Madrid Open final

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Mirra Andreeva overcame a late challenge from Hailey Baptiste to win their semi-final match and advance to the Madrid Open final.

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.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Trump factor, political heat sour Canada's excitement

FIFA World Cup 2026: Trump factor, political heat sour Canada's excitement

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

US president Donald Trump in recent weeks has renewed threats to make Canada the 51st US state, and said he might not renew the trilateral trade agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico -- the co-hosts of this year's World Cup.

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.

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.

'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.

Bengaluru Police Probe Missing Mobile Phones at IPL Opener

Bengaluru Police Probe Missing Mobile Phones at IPL Opener

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

Bengaluru police have launched an investigation following reports of multiple mobile phones going missing during an IPL match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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.

Iran blasts US after World Cup travel request denied

Iran blasts US after World Cup travel request denied

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Iran's Football Federation will lodge an official protest with FIFA after the United States reportedly denied the national team's request to travel to Los Angeles two days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Belgium, citing geopolitical tensions and previous visa issues.

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.

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.

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.

Satwik-Chirag reveal pain behind Thailand Open run

Satwik-Chirag reveal pain behind Thailand Open run

Rediff.com16 May 2026

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty progressed to the Thailand Open Super 500 final after a hard-fought victory, attributing their mental fortitude to years of overcoming injuries and setbacks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

India U17 Women's Team Loses To Australia In Asian Cup Opener

India U17 Women's Team Loses To Australia In Asian Cup Opener

Rediff.com2 May 2026

India's U17 women's football team lost 0-2 to Australia in their opening match of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup in Suzhou, China. Theodora Mouithys scored for Australia, and an own goal by Abhista Basnett sealed India's defeat.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.