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Spain were deserved winners of a desperately disappointing World Cup final Ferran Torres' extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina. Author | James Y Stadium | New York New Jersey Stadium The European champions created the clearer chances against the defending world champions, who spent much of the contest disrupting Spain's rhythm and were reduced to 10 players when Enzo Fernandez was sent off moments before extra time. Torres proved the match winner in the 106th minute, collecting substitute Nico Williams' headed pass before firing powerfully past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from close range. A final that promised so much rarely delivered. It became an attritional contest, despite the wider spectacle surrounding the occasion. Watch | Highlights from the BBC US President Donald Trump arrived in New Jersey by helicopter before kick-off, while Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber headlined the first World Cup half-time show, extending the in...

England were left heartbroken as their World Cup dream came to an agonising end Argentina scoring twice in the closing stages to complete a dramatic semi-final comeback in Atlanta. Author | George B Stadium | Atlanta Stadium Thomas Tuchel's side appeared destined for their first men's World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966 when Anthony Gordon put them ahead in a fiercely contested encounter after 55 minutes. But Argentina found another gear in the closing moments. Enzo Fernandez curled home a superb equaliser five minutes from time before Lautaro Martinez headed in Lionel Messi's cross deep into stoppage time to complete a remarkable turnaround. England's wait for major tournament success therefore continues. They will now face France in the third-place play-off, while Argentina will attempt to defend their World Cup title against Spain on Sunday. Watch | Key moments from BBC Sport The intense atmosphere inside and outside Atlanta Stadium was reflected by a co...

Argentina stage remarkable comeback to crush Egypt dreams and reach quarter-finals The holders survived another huge scare before breaking Egypt's hearts and booking their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. Author | Ajay  Stadium | Atlanta Stadium The reigning world champions, who needed extra time to overcome Cape Verde in the previous round, looked destined for a shock exit as the Pharaohs raced into a 2-0 lead through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. Cristian Romero pulled one back with 11 minutes remaining before Lionel Messi, who had missed a first-half penalty in Atlanta, levelled five minutes later to set up a dramatic finale. Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround two minutes into stoppage time, heading in Lautaro Martinez's cross to seal a quarter-final against Colombia or Switzerland. Watch | An emotional Messi at full-time | ITV Sport  This the place for all the best World Cup news and stories Super News Affiliate is the place for all the best Wo...

Argentina needed a 111th-minute Diney Borges own goal to avoid one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The holders edged past heroic debutants Cape Verde in the last 32. Author | Sean M Stadium | Miami Stadium The side ranked 64th in the Fifa world rankings twice fought back to level against opponents who sit second in the world. With the score 1-1 after 90 minutes, the underdogs forced their celebrated opponents into extra time. Lisandro Martínez then appeared to have won it for Argentina with an excellent finish in the 92nd minute. But Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament 11 minutes later, cutting in from the left before curling a superb strike over goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and into the top corner to make it 2-2. Cabral, enjoying the finest night of his career, almost completed a remarkable victory when he forced an outstanding save from Martínez four minutes from the end of extra time. Cape Verde, however, could not find a third equaliser to tak...

It was a day for football's biggest names.  Yet even amid such star quality, Lionel Messi still commanded centre stage. Author  | Jamie P Hours after France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland had illuminated the World Cup with two goals apiece, the scene was set. This, though, was no supporting role. This was the main attraction. The Messi show. His first World Cup hat-trick, a record-equalling 16th goal at the finals, and another reminder that, even at 38, he remains a force of remarkable influence. Argentina secured a 3-0 victory over Algeria, with Messi at the heart of everything. As the sun dipped behind the Kansas City skyline, the 38-year-old became the first player in history to appear at six World Cups, eclipsing rival Cristiano Ronaldo by a single day. World Cup 2026 | Argentina 3 - 0 Algeria Lionel Messi became the World Cup's joint all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina opened their title defence with an emphati...

Lionel Messi makes history again He became the World Cup's joint all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina opened their title defence with an emphatic victory over Algeria. Author  | Jamie P Stadium  | Kansas City Stadium Making his 200th appearance for his country, Lionel Messi scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career. In doing so, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took his tally of goals in World Cup finals to 16, drawing level with Germany's all-time leading marksman, Miroslav Klose. The three-time world champions were forced to work hard for the win It was also the first time Argentina had won their opening match at a World Cup as defending champions, having lost their first games in 1982 and 1990. Much of that was down to the brilliance of Messi, who curled home a superb opener in the 17th minute. The 38-year-old collected the ball from his Inter Miami team-mate Rodrigo De Paul before bending a precise finish beyond ...

Lionel Messi will appear at a sixth World Cup after being named in Argentina’s squad for the 2026 tournament The holders will be wanting o defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago. Author | Jack L The forward, who turns 39 during the competition, captains Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad after inspiring Argentina to a third world title with their dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in 2022. Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by any player with 26 matches, and will join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, as the only men to feature in six editions of the tournament. A closer look at Argentina’s squad Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who won the Golden Glove in Qatar, has also been selected, alongside Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, despite the latter missing the closing stages of the Premier League campaign through a knee injury. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea’s ...

England survived a spirited second-half surge from Argentina Max Ojomoh marked his Twickenham debut in style as the hosts stretched their winning run to 11 Tests. Author |  Sophie T Stadium |  Twickenham Ojomoh crossed for one try and laid on another with a deft crossfield kick before the interval, helping England establish a 17-3 lead. It might have been even healthier had Luke Cowan-Dickie not seen a score chalked off for a marginal knock-on on the stroke of half-time. Argentina, who overturned a 21-point deficit to beat Scotland a week earlier, forced their way back once more. Justo Piccardo darted over and penalties from Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Carreras narrowed the gap to 17-16 as the hour approached. England appeared to find their rhythm again when a powerful run from Alex Coles provided the platform for Ojomoh to send Henry Slade over beneath the posts. George Ford added the extras and a penalty to restore an 11-point cushion, although Rodrigo Isgro’s converted ...

Steve Tandy's reign as Wales head coach began with a heavy defeat  Argentina powered to a record victory in a match that had eleven tries Author | Steffan Ingram Stadium | Principality Stadium Wales suffered their tenth consecutive home defeat, compounded by the loss of inspirational captain Jac Morgan, who Tandy later confirmed had a suspected dislocated shoulder. Morgan picked up the injury while scoring one of Wales’ four tries, with number eight Aaron Wainwright also forced off. Argentina crossed for seven tries, with fly-half Geronimo Prisciantelli scoring twice, and further tries from prop Pedro Delgado, scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz, wings Mateo Carreras and Bautista Delguy, and replacement Santiago Grondona. Full-back Santiago Carreras added 17 points with the boot. It marked both the highest score Argentina have ever recorded against Wales and their largest margin of victory. Wales responded with tries from scrum-half Tomos Williams, hooker Dewi Lake, Morgan, and ...

Emotional Messi scores twice in final match in Argentina Lautaro Martinez also scored as the hosts beat Venezuela 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio Mâs Monumental Messi, 38, was joined by his three sons and received a standing ovation from a crowd of 80,000 in moving scenes before the match. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner captained Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in 2022 and has scored a record 114 goals in 194 games for his country. A closer look at what happened Lionel Messi opened the scoring at the Estadio Monumental, collecting a pass from Julián Álvarez before rifling into the top corner. Argentina, already assured of their place at the 2026 World Cup and leading the South American qualifying table, extended their advantage through Lautaro Martínez ’s diving header, with Messi adding a second soon after. The 37-year-old, Argentina’s record appearance holder, admitted afterwards that he has yet to decide wheth...

Boca and Benfica shared the spoils in a breathless encounter Boca Juniors and Benfica began their Club World Cup campaigns with a pulsating contest  Author | Peter Grainger Despite a bright start from the Portuguese side, it was Boca who struck first. Midfielder Carlos Palacios beat his man to a long goal kick and picked out Lautaro Blanco in space on the left. The full-back glided past Florentino with a sharp nutmeg before delivering a pinpoint low cross to the near post, where Miguel Merentiel deftly flicked in the opener. The travelling Boca support had barely finished celebrating when their side doubled the lead. A corner to the back post found centre-back Ayrton Costa, who nodded it back across goal for Rodrigo Battaglia to rise highest and head home from close range. READ MORE | Bayern Munich 10 - 0 Auckland City  READ MORE | PSG 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid The tempo showed no signs of letting up, with chances and challenges flying in at both ends. On the stroke of half-ti...