sports

Messi Takes Golden Boot Lead After Assist-Filled Semifinal Against England

Published on: 15 Jul 2026, 10:42 PM

Lionel Messi took the lead in the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race after providing two assists in Argentina's 2-1 semifinal victory over England on Wednesday. The assists, which set up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, moved Messi ahead of France's Kylian Mbappe in the standings.

Both Messi and Mbappe have scored 8 goals in the tournament, but Messi's 4 assists give him the edge over Mbappe's 2. The two players have one match remaining: France will face England in the third-place playoff on Saturday, while Argentina will play Spain in the final on Sunday.

Behind the leading pair, England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are tied for fourth and fifth with 6 goals each, while France's Ousmane Dembele and Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal share sixth and seventh with 5 goals. All of these players have one match left to improve their tallies.

Norway's Erling Haaland, currently third with 7 goals, cannot add to his total after Norway's elimination in the quarterfinals.

Source: Indian Express

Latest in Sports 10

sports

Mysuru celebrates Pranavi Urs, first Indian woman golfer to win Asian Games gold

Pranavi Urs, reported as the first Indian woman golfer to win an individual Asian Games gold, was felicitated in Mysuru with a city procession and a ceremony near the palace. She dedicated the moment to years of daily practice and family support, and said an Olympic medal is her next goal.

The Hindu 07 Oct 2026, 01:47 PM

sports

Nine snakeboats, one river: Thazhathangadi set for Champions Boat League race on October 24

Nine snakeboats will compete on the Meenachil river in Kottayam on October 24 as part of the Champions Boat League. A meeting chaired by Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan finalised coordination, security, medical and green-protocol arrangements for the event.

The Hindu 05 Oct 2026, 01:51 PM

sports

Sreeshankar targets 2028 gold after fourth career silver: 'Everything will be compensated'

Long jumper M. Sreeshankar, who won silver at the Asian Games in Japan, has said he believes his fourth career silver will lead to a major gold, and that he hopes to win one in 2028. He said an injury during his fourth attempt and difficult weather conditions affected his performance, though he still managed a jump of 8.07 m. Palakkad MP V.K. Sreekandan and MLA Ramesh Pisharody congratulated him at his residence.

The Hindu 02 Oct 2026, 03:32 PM

sports

Asian Games 2026: Indian women win 4x400m relay gold, end athletics drought

India's women's 4x400m relay team of Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma, Prachi Chaudhary and Vithya Ramraj won gold in 3:29.69s at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, ending the country's wait for an athletics gold. Gulveer Singh added a 5,000m bronze to complete a hat-trick of individual medals, while the men's relay and mixed relay teams also finished on the podium.

The Hindu 29 Sep 2026, 03:54 PM

sports

Asian Games 2026: Sable, Lovlina, Nagal, Bhaker Lead India's Medal Hunt on Day 9

India enters Day 9 of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya with 37 medals in hand and a packed schedule across more than a dozen disciplines. Avinash Sable, Lovlina Borgohain, Sumit Nagal and Manu Bhaker are among the leading medal hopes, while the men's cricket team opens its campaign with a quarter-final against Afghanistan.

The Hindu 28 Sep 2026, 02:47 AM

sports

Kamaljeet and Suruchi Singh strike gold in 10m air pistol mixed team at Asian Games 2026

India's Kamaljeet and Suruchi Singh won gold in the mixed team 10m air pistol final at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, topping qualification with 587 before sealing the title. India's tally now stands at two gold, eight silver and nine bronze, with more shooting and weightlifting events to follow.

The Hindu 25 Sep 2026, 03:33 AM

sports

Women's Andhra Premier League opens in Mangalagiri, four teams to play 13 matches in seven days

The inaugural Women's Andhra Premier League, a T20 tournament run by the Andhra Cricket Association, opened at the ACA International Stadium in Mangalagiri on Saturday. Four teams — Rayalaseema Gen Stars, Godavari Golden Eagles, Amaravati E-Champions and Vizag Fire Birds — will play 13 matches over seven days. Rayalaseema Gen Stars won the opening game, chasing down a target of 117.

The Hindu 19 Sep 2026, 03:45 PM

sports

Pink Power Run: Hyderabad's breast cancer awareness marathon returns with ₹75 lakh pool

Hyderabad's Pink Power Run returns on September 27 with a ₹75 lakh prize pool and an AIMS-certified half marathon. Organisers expect 20,000 runners to participate in the breast cancer awareness event, which aims to highlight early detection and fitness.

The Hindu 07 Sep 2026, 01:54 PM

sports

Trump attends IndyCar race in Washington as US marks 250th birthday

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the first IndyCar race in Washington DC, held as part of the country's 250th birthday celebrations. The couple took a ceremonial lap in the presidential limousine, with an Air Force One flyover marking the occasion.

BBC News 23 Aug 2026, 04:57 PM

sports

Treesa and Gayatri's Historic World Championships Run Ends in Semifinal

Indian duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand's impressive run at the Badminton World Championships ended with a semifinal loss to China's Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning. The pair, who had upset higher-ranked opponents, won the first game before the defending champions rallied. They secure a bronze medal, marking their best performance at the event.

The Hindu 22 Aug 2026, 05:20 PM

→ View All Sports News