Sports

World Cup in Qatar sets scoring record with 172 goals

Lusail: The six-goal final between France and Argentina set a World Cup record of 172 at this year's tournament. The previous tournament record of 171 goals was set in 1998 and 2014. The 1998 tournament in France was the first edition in the current 64-game,...

Messi to play on for Argentina after World Cup win

4 years ago

Doha: Lionel Messi is not ready to walk away from Argentina yet, despite ending his pursuit of a World Cup winner's medal. The soccer great secured the one major trophy that has eluded him in his storied career as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties...

Argentines erupt in joy after epic World Cup final

4 years ago

Buenos Aires: Argentines let loose and streets across the country became places of celebration after an epic World Cup final in which the national team beat France on penalties. It was the country's third World Cup title, and the first since 1986. “I'm very happy,...

Skipper Williamson, head coach Stead to miss tour of India

4 years ago

Wellington: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and head coach Gary Stead will miss the white-ball tour of India, starting next month, as part of their workload management. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have named split ODI squads for the away series against Pakistan, which begins January...

Will get to know about Rohit’s availability in next day or two, says KL Rahul

4 years ago

Chattogram: After winning the first Test against Bangladesh by 188 runs, stand-in skipper KL Rahul said the visitors' will get to know about the availability of regular captain Rohit Sharma in a day or two for the second Test starting from December 22. Rohit had...

India climb World Test Championship standings after triumph over Bangladesh

4 years ago

Dubai: India have boosted their chances of appearing at next year's ICC World Test Championship final with a comprehensive 188-run victory over a gritty Bangladesh in Chattogram Sunday. Despite a strong rear-guard action from Bangladesh veteran Shakib Al Hasan (84), the hosts' last four wickets...

Germany's World Cup survival on the line against Spain Doha: When the World Cup draw came out in April, one of the highlights of the group stage was Sunday's Spain vs Germany at Al Bayt Stadium. Eight months later, the game between the two former world champions and pre-tournament favorites gained even more prominence thanks to Germany's surprising loss to Japan in its opener in Qatar. Another setback against Spain this weekend and Germany may be heading home early for the second straight World Cup. A loss — coupled with at least a draw by Japan against Costa Rica earlier Sunday — will mean elimination for the four-time champions. Spain, meanwhile, will be looking to secure its spot in the next stage and reinforce its status as one of the top title contenders following an impressive 7-0 rout of Costa Rica in its opener. The signs are not encouraging for Germany. Its most recent match against Spain was an embarrassing 6-0 defeat in the Nations League two years ago. Its last win against "La Roja" came in a friendly eight years ago. Germany won its fourth World Cup title in 2014 in Brazil but didn't make it out of the group stage in 2018 after losses to South Korea and México. It would be the first time it fails to advance past the group stage in back-to-back tournaments. Spain won its lone World Cup in 2010 in South Africa and was eliminated in the round of 16 in 2018 in Russia. A win against Germany will allow Spain to reach the last 16 if Costa Rica doesn't defeat Japan. Expectations around Spain's young squad were raised after its outstanding performance against Costa Rica, when the team reintroduced "tiki-taka" ball-possession style and 18-year-old Gavi became the youngest World Cup scorer since Pelé in 1958. The seven goals it scored against Costa Rica matched Spain's tournament total from Russia in 2018. "The result gives us a big boost," Spain coach Luis Enrique said. "But now we have to play against a Germany team that needs the victory." Luis Enrique said he wasn't concerned with his young players being overly confident, and promised to make changes to the starting lineup for Sunday's match, without elaborating. Winger Leroy Sané could return for Germany after missing the match against Japan because of a knee injury. It will be the fifth meeting between the powerhouses at World Cups, with Spain winning the most recent one 1-0 in the semifinals of the 2010 tournament. Spain hasn't lost to Germany in official competitions since the 1988 European Championship, with two draws and three wins since then. The Germans have lost three of their last four World Cup matches dating to the tournament in Russia. They made headlines even before kickoff against Japan by covering their mouths to protest FIFA's clampdown on the "One Love" armbands. It was not clear if they would repeat the gesture before the Spain match. AP FIFA, football, World Cup, Germany, Spain

Final clash of two great football nations, shouldn’t focus on individuals: Lloris

4 years ago

Doha: France goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris said the FIFA World Cup final is a clash between two football nations and the focus shouldn't be on individual players as he is trying to remain 'calm' ahead of the title match. "I do tend to be...

Croatia beats Morocco 2-1 to take 3rd place at World Cup

4 years ago

Al Rayyan: Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great's last appearance at the World Cup. The runners-up from four years ago secured another medal by beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place match on Saturday. Mislav Orsic scored the...

India make inroads as Bangladesh reach 176 for 3 at tea

4 years ago

Chattogram: Zakir Hasan batted with dogged determination but Kuldeep Yadav put India ahead by dismissing Litton Das as Bangladesh looked a tad unsettled having reached 176 for 3 at tea on the fourth day of the opening Test Saturday. Zakir, who had recently played a...

Shanto, Hasan fifties steer Bangladesh to 119/0

4 years ago

Chattogram: Najmul Hossain Shanto and debutant Zakir Hassan scored half-centuries as Bangladesh moved to 119 for no loss in their second innings at lunch on day four of the first Test against India here Saturday. Resuming from an overnight score of 42 for no loss,...