'This win is a gift for Maradona': Messi
Lionel Messi dedicated Argentina's 2-1 semifinal win over England to the late Diego Maradona, saying he was sure the legend was enjoying the match from above and that the victory was a special gift…
English edition
Sports Desk, page 5
580 reports translated from the Bengali original, most recent first. বাংলা সংস্করণ
'No one gave us an advantage, we're in the final because we're the best': Messi
After Argentina beat England to reach a second successive World Cup final, captain Lionel Messi hit back at critics who claim the tournament is fixed in his favour, insisting his side have been the…
How Messi tore England apart
Messi's name was not on the scoresheet in Argentina's 2-1 semifinal win over England, but after being contained for 55 minutes he took control — nine dribbles, both goal contributions and a spell in…
Back at the stadium of tears, Messi returns for another final
Nearly a decade after he broke down in tears at MetLife Stadium and announced he would stop playing for Argentina, Lionel Messi returns to the same ground — this time to play a World…
What Yamal said about facing Messi in the World Cup final
Spain meet Argentina in the World Cup final on 19 July, and much of the spotlight is on Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal; in a recent DAZN interview, Yamal said he hoped to face…
Messi rated 9, Scaloni 10 — but why?
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, reaching the final against Spain; in ESPN's post-match ratings, coach Lionel Scaloni earned a perfect 10 and Lionel Messi…
Who will Spain face in the final? A supercomputer weighs in
After reaching the World Cup final by beating France 2-0, Spain now wait to learn their opponent — and Opta's supercomputer makes England slight favourites over Argentina in the second semifinal.
At least 160 detained as tension flares in France after World Cup exit
Tense scenes broke out in several French cities after France's 2-0 World Cup semifinal loss to Spain, with law-enforcement detaining more than 160 people across Paris and Lyon.
Why Argentina will play in blue against England
Argentina sought and won FIFA's permission to wear their dark blue away kit against England — the colour tied to Maradona's 1986 heroics — though in the end England's choice of white made it…
The change Argentina may make to their XI against England
Coach Lionel Scaloni has hinted at one or two changes to Argentina's starting XI for their World Cup semifinal against England, with midfielder Rodrigo De Paul reportedly at risk of being benched.
The 'Ballon d'Or curse' that denied Dembele a World Cup
France's 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain ended reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele's hopes of breaking the so-called 'Ballon d'Or curse' — the pattern by which the year's winner never lifts the following World…
Mbappe wanted to write the script; Yamal wrote it instead
Spain outclassed France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinal in Dallas, with Lamine Yamal winning the penalty that broke French hearts — a defeat one French daily called 'entirely logical.'
FIFA grants Argentina's 'special' request to wear navy against England
FIFA has approved Argentina's request to wear their dark blue away kit, rather than light blue, in their World Cup semifinal against England — a shirt they wore in famous wins over England in…
Argentina-England semifinal 'brings back our brothers who died,' says Maradona Jr
Ahead of Argentina's World Cup semifinal against England, Diego Maradona Jr told Marca the match was no ordinary fixture, evoking memories of the Falklands War and his father's 1986 quarter-final.
Scaloni wants to bring Bangladesh more joy
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni thanked Bangladesh's supporters ahead of the England semifinal, saying it was unbelievable to have fans so far away and that the team would be happy to give them one more…
Dominant Spain sweep France aside to reach the final
Spain outclassed France 2-0 at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, with a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty and a Pedro Porro strike carrying them into the World Cup final, where Argentina or England await.
'We couldn't play like a World Cup semifinal,' says Mbappe
France captain Kylian Mbappe blamed his own side after their 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain, saying they had failed both technically and tactically and lacked what it takes to reach a World Cup final.
World Cup semifinal ticket prices, match by match
Ticket prices for the World Cup semifinals have soared, with the France-Spain match at $1,325, the Argentina-England match rising 34 percent to about $2,537, and the final currently at $6,760, according to TicketData.com.
Argentina-England semifinal tickets selling for Tk 13 lakh
Ticket prices for the Argentina-England World Cup semifinal in Atlanta have soared, with the priciest hospitality package resold for about Tk 13.21 lakh, as authorities tighten security around the politically charged tie.
'We are European champions, we fear no one,' says Yamal
Spain's Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, brushed off suggestions of pressure before the France semifinal, declaring that as European champions Spain fear no one.
Mbappe vs Yamal: who has the edge?
As France meet Spain in the World Cup semifinal, the personal duel between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal takes centre stage — Yamal leads their head-to-head record, but Mbappe has scored more.
History is carrying Argentina toward the final
Argentina have won all five of their previous World Cup semifinals, and history is on their side as they prepare to face England in the last four.
Mbappe and Yamal face off; who takes the final ticket?
France and Spain meet in the first 2026 World Cup semifinal in Dallas, pitting Kylian Mbappe's in-form France against Lamine Yamal's Spain, with revenge for last year's 5-4 defeat on France's minds.
Young Indian pacer collapses and dies during match
A young fast bowler from India's Jammu and Kashmir, Suhail, collapsed on the field during a local match and was later declared dead at hospital, Indian media reported.
The memorable chapters in Argentina-England World Cup history
As Argentina and England prepare to meet again in a World Cup semifinal, a look back at five of the most talked-about moments in one of football's fiercest rivalries.
'Messi will take penalties again,' says England's Pickford
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford played down the tension before the Argentina-England World Cup semifinal, saying he does not think Messi will fear taking another penalty.
The records set in the World Cup's first 100 matches
With 100 matches played at the 48-team 2026 World Cup, records have tumbled: 292 goals, 14 own goals and 14 red cards, with Argentina leading the scoring and Spain the meanest defence.
France v Spain semifinal: who leads on the numbers?
France and Spain, two European heavyweights, meet in the 2026 World Cup semifinal in Dallas. Spain lead the recent head-to-head, but France have reached a third straight World Cup semifinal.
Spain the best at passing, France at finishing
Ahead of their World Cup semifinal, the statistics show Spain dominating in passing and possession while France lead in shooting accuracy and finishing.
Argentina to take the field in blue against England
Argentina will wear their traditional alternate blue jersey against England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, reviving memories of the 1986 quarterfinal, while England play in their white home kit.
Haaland's emotional message after Norway's exit
After Norway's World Cup campaign ended in a 2-1 extra-time loss to England, captain Erling Haaland thanked fans in a heartfelt social media message, calling it 'a truly extraordinary journey.'
World Cup sees its top four ranked teams reach the semifinals
For the first time in World Cup history, the top four teams in the FIFA rankings — Argentina, Spain, France and England — have all reached the semifinals of the same tournament.
Suffering is in Argentina's DNA: Scaloni
After a hard-fought run to the World Cup semifinals, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said fighting through intense pressure to win was in his team's DNA.
Will a 64-team World Cup begin in 2030?
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams will be reviewed after the 2026 tournament, though the idea faces opposition from several confederations.
Egypt's anger at Argentina still simmers
Days after their dramatic World Cup last-16 loss to Argentina, Egypt's coaching staff have again blamed controversial refereeing for shattering their dream of a historic win.
Supercomputer predicts who will win the World Cup
Opta's supercomputer, which had correctly tipped all four semifinalists, now makes France the favourite to win the World Cup, with Argentina rated the least likely of the four.
Not Argentina — another team is getting the most from VAR
Amid debate over whether Argentina is being favored by refereeing at the World Cup, an analysis of VAR decisions shows co-hosts Mexico, not Argentina, have benefited most.
An 'Argentina banyan tree' rises on a Jamuna char
Argentina supporters in a Jamuna char in Sirajganj's Belkuchi have painted a huge, decades-old banyan tree sky-blue and white in the colors of the Argentine flag, and it has gone viral, drawing daily crowds…
'No French players in the France squad,' says Spain's ex-PM
Spain's former prime minister Mariano Rajoy drew accusations of racism in France and Spain after writing that the France squad, though full of world-class players, had 'no French players', ahead of the two sides'…
Haaland's emotional message after Norway's exit
After Norway's World Cup campaign ended in a 2-1 extra-time loss to England, captain Erling Haaland thanked fans in a heartfelt social media message, calling it 'a truly extraordinary journey.'
England will keep Messi 'asleep,' says Joe Cole
Former England midfielder Joe Cole boldly declared that England would neutralize Lionel Messi and reach the World Cup final, though ex-defender Micah Richards warned that beating Argentina would be no easy task.
Messi surpasses Mbappé for most World Cup knockout goals
Lionel Messi now has the most goal contributions in World Cup knockout matches, surpassing Kylian Mbappé, as Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 to reach the last four.
Senegal sack coach Thiaw after World Cup exit
Senegal have sacked coach Pape Thiaw and his entire coaching staff after their exit in the World Cup round of 32, the Senegalese Football Federation said.
Porimoni claims innocence, questions the state
Actress Porimoni has questioned the state and asserted her innocence after a former RAB intelligence chief said there had been no valid reason for her 2021 arrest in a drug case, which she says…
Messi sets new record, Alvarez draws level with Maradona
Lionel Messi extended his World Cup records and Julian Alvarez matched Diego Maradona's knockout-goal tally for Argentina as the side beat Switzerland 3-1 to reach the semifinals.
The rule behind the Swiss player's red card
Breel Embolo's red card against Argentina was the result of a new VAR 'mistaken identity' rule introduced at this World Cup, under which the referee reversed a yellow card wrongly shown to Leandro Paredes…
Messi and Mbappé neck and neck in Golden Boot race
France's Kylian Mbappé and Argentina's Lionel Messi are joint top scorers at the World Cup on eight goals each, with Mbappé ahead on the assist tiebreaker before the semifinals.
It doesn't matter who we face in the semifinal, says Scaloni
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it made no difference whether his side faced England or Norway in the World Cup semifinal, urging his players to recover their strength and play their best after a…
Jubo Dal leader's hand severed in Chuadanga attack
A former Jubo Dal leader in Chuadanga was hacked by attackers late Saturday, severing his left wrist and leaving him critically injured; he was referred to a Dhaka hospital and police are investigating.
Argentina have never lost a World Cup semifinal
Argentina have reached the final every time they have made a World Cup semifinal, a perfect record they will look to protect against England at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Scaloni urges improvement, not focused on the opponent
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said his side had much to improve before their World Cup semifinal against England, calling quick recovery from a 120-minute quarterfinal the biggest challenge.
'This rule ended the match': Switzerland fume over Embolo red card
Switzerland exited the World Cup after a 3-1 quarterfinal defeat to Argentina, with coach Murat Yakin and midfielder Remo Freuler venting anger at the referee, VAR and FIFA's new 'mistaken identity' rule, under which…
Messi: 'We had to suffer, but we never lost faith'
Lionel Messi hailed his teammates in an emotional Instagram message after Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to reach a second straight World Cup semifinal, where they will face England.
Courtois in tears as Belgium's World Cup ends
Thibaut Courtois, injured and substituted late in Belgium's quarterfinal defeat to Spain, sat in tears on the bench as a stoppage-time Mikel Merino goal ended Belgium's World Cup, and hinted it may have been…
Late surge sends Argentina into the World Cup semifinals
Argentina scored twice in a nine-minute burst late in extra time to beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the World Cup quarterfinal and reach the semifinals, where they will meet England.
Should Messi take the penalty against Switzerland?
Lionel Messi has missed both his penalties at this World Cup, raising an audacious question before Argentina's quarterfinal against Switzerland: if they win a penalty, should he take it?
Kane or Haaland: who is the deadlier finisher?
England's Harry Kane and Norway's Erling Haaland, two of the world's best strikers, go head-to-head in the World Cup quarterfinal - and their numbers are strikingly hard to separate.
Messi will stay the best as long as he wants to, says Scaloni
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the 39-year-old Lionel Messi will remain one of the world's best players for as long as he chooses to play, ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland.
Norway coach Solbakken makes England the favorites
Norway coach Stale Solbakken said England go into their World Cup quarterfinal as favorites, though 'not by a very big margin,' as his side aim to follow up their upset of Brazil.
One mistake, and a Belgian dream dies
Spain beat Belgium 2-1 with a late Mikel Merino goal that punished a goalkeeping error, ending the dream of Belgium's golden generation - even as Lamine Yamal dazzled without scoring.