Read for 2 minutesUpdated: 16 July 2026 02:08 PM IST This photo was taken in the Barcelona dressing room in late 2007. Lionel Messi, 20, with a shy smile and a head of intact curls, held the six-month-old baby in a blue plastic bathtub. In that fleeting moment, neither knew that the world would one day look back on that image and see the beginning of something extraordinary. Almost two decades later, that baby, Lamine Yamal, will face Messi in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in New Jersey on Sunday, which seems to have been written by the football

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Read 3 minutes16 July 2026 07:00 AM IST Former England striker Michael Owen has slammed Thomas Tuchel for his tactics following their 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. England took a 1-0 lead early in the second half but two late goals from Argentina, who were attacking relentlessly after conceding, saw La Albiceleste reach their second consecutive World Cup final. “Look at Spain 1-0 last night. That’s guts. That’s bravery. And then look at England 1-0,” Owen said in his post on X minutes after the full-time whistle in Atlanta. Look at Spain 1-0 last

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Read 6 minutesAtlantaUpdated: 16 July 2026 08:33 AM IST The contemplation will continue for days, months and decades. Those six minutes between glory and despair, those six minutes when England lost their courage and clarity, those six minutes the nation may regret forever. Did England get too defensive after taking the lead? Has the historical flammability of the mind gnawed at them again? Do they have the will and determination to end their drought of titles, a chronic habit of slipping away when the coast is in their sights? Is it an irreparable tragic flaw passed down from generation to

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Read 3 minutes16 Jul 2026 09:29 AM IST For the first time in history, the reigning Copa America winners will face the defending European champions in the World Cup final. The prospect of a Spain v Argentina final was partially extinguished until Lionel Messi and Co. struck late on Wednesday night in Atlanta as England opened the scoring against the reigning world champions in the semi-finals. Messi’s scintillating move brought Argentina back from the brink as Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez converted their captain’s assists to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Three Lions. Entering a record-tying third final,

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Read for 2 minutes16 Jul 2026 08:44 AM IST Lionel Messi managed to freeze time and his opponents as he led Argentina to a stunning 2-1 comeback win over England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday night. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Messi scored another 55th-minute goal for the Three Lions in their first World Cup in 24 years to put the Three Lions behind 0-1 in the 85th minute to secure another knockout victory for the world champions. Also read | England couldn’t beat Maradona; They can’t even beat Messi Messi soon found

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Read 3 minutesUpdated: 16 July 2026 07:18 AM IST Lionel Messi lashed out at his and Argentina’s critics after a string of accusations and claims of favoritism from FIFA en route to a second straight World Cup final with a 2-1 win over England in Atlanta on Wednesday. Messi, 39, made a stunning second-half comeback to provide two assists in the space of six minutes for England, who had earlier taken the lead through Anthony Gordon’s strike in the 55th minute. Argentina’s title defense has been mired in controversy since the first game, with a number of controversial decisions from

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Read 7 minutesAtlantaUpdated: 16 July 2026 05:11 AM IST Near the center circle, Lionel Messi knelt, prayed and gazed poignantly at the sky through the arena’s translucent roof. Tears flowed from his eyes, tears of indescribable joy, his head bowed and he repeatedly punched the air like a judoka’s underarm strike. Twenty years of scaling greatness, he experienced the elusive nirvana of the game, achieved sainthood and experienced every emotion imaginable, dealt with heartbreak and disillusionment and won every trophy football could offer him. Still, he was a boy again, crying and living for an evening that he would hold

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Read 3 minutes16 Jul 2026 04:12 AM IST With his two brilliant assists against England, Lionel Messi currently leads the Golden Boot race with 8 goals and 4 assists. He overtook Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday night after becoming a provider for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. Argentina beat England 2-1 in the semi-final. Both Messi and Mbappe have scored 8 goals each, with the French star scoring two thanks to the Argentine’s 4 assists. Both Messi and Mbappe have one match remaining, with France facing England in the third-place clash on Saturday, while Argentina face Spain in the final on

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Read 3 minutesUpdated: 16 July 2026 02:47 AM IST Argentina upset England in the FIFA World Cup semi-final against Spain in the final. Until the 85th minute, Argentina looked set to be eliminated from the finals by France, the final World Cup finalist, when Anthony Gordon’s goal was tested. But Enzo Fernandes then equalized with a long-range strike. Then, with 30 more minutes of added time to be played, Lautaro Martínez put the ball into the net in the second minute of added time to give Argentina the win. Golden Boot race leader Lionel Messi assisted on both of Argentina’s

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England vs Argentina Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final It was a tense start to the match between two nations that are fierce rivals both on and off the football pitch. Tensions rose within the first five minutes when Enzo Fernandes hit Elliott Anderson in the back of the head with several players from both sides coming together. The referee decided not to give any yellow cards. Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his career as Argentina look to book their place in a second consecutive World Cup final as the two powerhouses lock

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