For more than two decades, world football has been shaped by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary rivalry. Their brilliance defined an era, rewriting records, collecting trophies and inspiring generations of fans.

The French, world champions in 2018 and finalists four years ago, were one of the main title contenders and were hoping for a third straight final before being knocked out by European champions Spain in the semifinal.

Three names are chanted in songs in the Argentine dressing room throughout this campaign. It is more than a song that says “let’s go and win”.

"A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers," West Indies Cricket posted on X above a photograph of him titled 'Legend. Icon. Hero'.

Bangladesh's women's kabaddi team made a convincing start to the five-match series against Nepal, defeating the Himalayan nation 34-24 in the opening match at the National Kabaddi Stadium in Paltan on Friday.

Garry Sobers, widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest allrounders, has died at the age of 89, West Indies Cricket announced on Friday.

Argentina will return to their iconic sky blue and white home strip for the FIFA World Cup final against Spain on Monday (1:00 am Bangladesh time), according to Argentine media reports.

Half-centuries from openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Tamim, followed by a blistering late cameo from Mohammad Saifuddin and a four-wicket haul from Rishad Hossain, powered Bangladesh to a 34-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the three-match series in Bulawayo on Friday.

Argentine President Javier Milei said Thursday he will not attend the World Cup 2026 final in the United States, preferring to continue watching his country take on Spain from home.

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to meet again at Sunday's World Cup final, as strained relations between the two leaders over defence spending and the war with Iran continue to simmer.

Andy Flower has ruled himself out of contention to replace Brendon McCullum as England's new Test head coach after being linked with a second spell in the role.

Before boarding Argentina's flight from Kansas City to New York on Friday, the Chelsea midfielder once again cupped his hands behind his ears in the famous "Topo Gigio" celebration--the same gesture he produced after scoring against England in the World Cup semifinal.

Football's global governing body FIFA will assess match reports before deciding if they take any action over Argentina's players holding up a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine) following their 2-1 victory over England.

Mohammad Nawaz has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after testing positive for a cannabis-related substance, the governing body said on Friday, with the Pakistan all-rounder being handed a three-month ban that can be reduced upon completion of a rehabilitation programme.

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will officiate the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday.

Sri Lanka police arrested the Indian co-owner of a Lanka Premier League (LPL) team on Friday, hours before the tournament was due to begin, on suspicion of trying to bribe a player.

The winners of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Monday will not only lift football's most coveted trophy but also receive championship rings for the first time in the tournament's history.

Football has long celebrated "Fergie Time", while Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid became synonymous with dramatic late comebacks in the UEFA Champions League. Scaloni's Argentina now belong in that conversation.

Until the 85th minute of Thursday’s semifinal, Argentina were trailing England by a goal, and a spot in the final seemed to be slipping away. The clock seemed to be carrying Lionel Messi away with it.

They drift through the tournament with the emotional weather of a commuter stranded at Farmgate in the rain, watching every bus except theirs crawl past.