Sport Updates
Same-day match highlights, records, team news and results from across the sports you follow.
India Women Complete Historic 270-Run Win Over England at Lord's
India Women completed a famous 270-run win over England Women on Day 4 at Lord's, wrapping up victory in the first-ever women's Test staged at the Home of Cricket. Chasing an out-of-reach 457, England were bowled out for 186 in their second innings, with Sneh Rana finishing the match off in style, taking her final wicket to seal the win. Rana was the standout with the ball across the innings, finishing with 4 for 42, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with 2 wickets as England's lower order was cleaned up on the final morning. Amy Jones fought hard for England, becoming the first wicketkeeper to score fifty-plus in both innings of a women's Test, but the target was always beyond reach once India had set it. The win capped a dominant all-round performance from India across the four days. Kranti Gaud became the first woman to have her name etched on the Lord's honours board with a five-wicket haul in England's first innings, before Yastika Bhatia 's maiden Test century, the first-ever by a woman at Lord's, and a brisk unbeaten fifty from Richa Ghosh powered India's second-innings declaration at 341 for 7. The match also marked an emotional farewell for two England greats, with Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight both playing their final international games and receiving guards of honour from the India players as they walked off. The Test also drew a world-record single-day attendance for a women's Test, with over 15,000 fans packing Lord's. It is a landmark win for India Women, completing a first-ever Test win at Lord's in style and giving the team a huge confidence boost as red-ball cricket continues to grow around the world.
Chennai Super Kings and Stephen Fleming Part Ways After Nearly Two Decades
Chennai Super Kings and Stephen Fleming have parted ways, bringing an end to one of the longest coach-franchise partnerships in IPL history. The Super Kings confirmed the news through an official statement, saying both sides had mutually agreed to end their association. Fleming's journey with CSK goes all the way back to the very first edition of the IPL in 2008, when he turned out for the franchise as a player. He moved into the dugout the following year and stayed on as head coach right through to now, a stretch that different reports put at either 17 or 18 years depending on how the count is measured. Either way, it stands as one of the most stable coaching tenures anywhere in franchise cricket. Under Fleming, CSK became the most successful team in IPL history, lifting the trophy five times, in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023, along with two Champions League T20 titles. His calm, understated style and his long working relationship with MS Dhoni became closely tied to the identity CSK built for itself over the years, one built on consistency and a settled core group of players. The exit follows a rough patch on the field. CSK have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, finishing fifth in 2024, bottom of the table in 2025, and eighth in 2026. Talk of a coaching change had been doing the rounds for a while, though earlier reports through the season suggested the franchise was leaning towards keeping him on. That has now changed with this official announcement. Fleming continues to be involved with two other Super Kings franchises, coaching Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket and Joburg Super Kings in the SA20, so this isn't a complete exit from the wider Super Kings setup, just from the IPL side of it. CSK are yet to announce who will take over as head coach heading into the next season.
Yastika Bhatia's Historic Ton Sets Up Day 3 Declaration as India Close In on Landmark Lord's Win
India Women pushed home their advantage on Day 3 of the historic Lord's Test, declaring their second innings and leaving England needing 327 to win. Stumps came with England on 130 for 6, still 197 runs short with only four wickets in hand. Yastika Bhatia was the standout of India's innings, making a maiden Test century, 113 off 158 balls, becoming the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's in the process. Smriti Mandhana added 70, and Richa Ghosh chipped in with a quick unbeaten 50 down the order as India declared on 341 for 7. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of England's bowlers, finishing with 5 wickets, while Lauren Bell took 2. Chasing an improbable target, England lost early wickets and never got settled. Kranti Gaud and Sneh Rana took 2 wickets apiece, with Sayali Satghare also among the wickets, as England slipped to 130 for 6 by the close. Amy Jones was the one batter to resist, unbeaten on 52, while the rest of the top order fell cheaply. With England still needing 197 more runs and only 4 wickets standing, India go into the final day firmly in control and needing just 4 more wickets to wrap up a landmark win in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's.
Brendon McCullum Sacked as England Test Coach, Stays on in White-Ball Role
Brendon McCullum has been removed as England's Test head coach, bringing an end to the four-year "Bazball" era in red-ball cricket. He remains in charge of England's white-ball setup, covering both ODIs and T20Is. The call comes after a sharp dip in Test results, with England losing the Ashes 4-1 last winter and then falling 2-1 at home to New Zealand last month. Across his full four years in the Test job, McCullum's record reads 27 wins, 20 losses and 2 draws, with the recent slide including seven defeats in the last nine matches. Ben Stokes's shock retirement, announced mid-series against New Zealand, marked McCullum's final Test in the role. McCullum said he was gutted to be stepping away from the Test side but respected the board's decision, adding that his focus now shifts fully to the white-ball teams. The timing is notable, with the news breaking just a day after his white-ball side completed a 4-0 T20I series sweep over India. His white-ball tenure, which began in 2024, will continue through to the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup. England now return to a split-coaching setup, and the ECB has confirmed the hunt for a new Test coach is already underway ahead of next summer's Ashes, with former players including Andy Flower and Justin Langer among the names being discussed.
Prince Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi Replace Injured Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy
India have made two enforced changes to their white-ball squads after hamstring injuries ruled out Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy . Prince Yadav comes in for Rana in the ODI squad for the England series, while Ravi Bishnoi replaces Chakaravarthy in the T20I squad for the tour of Zimbabwe. Both injuries were picked up in the same match, the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge. Rana felt discomfort in his right hamstring, and scans confirmed a Grade 1 injury, ruling him out of the upcoming ODI series against England. Chakaravarthy had a similar issue in his left hamstring, but his scan showed a more serious Grade 2 injury, keeping him out of the T20I series in Zimbabwe. Both bowlers will now report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further assessment and recovery. Prince Yadav was already with the squad in England for the T20Is and now gets a shot at the 50-over format as well. Bishnoi comes in as spin cover for the Zimbabwe leg, having found limited opportunities during the England tour. India begin their three-match ODI series against England on July 14 in Birmingham, before the T20I series against Zimbabwe gets underway on July 23 in Harare, with Shreyas Iyer continuing as captain across both assignments.
Yastika Bhatia Becomes First Woman to Score a Test Century at Lord's
HISTORY AT THE HOME OF CRICKET! 🇮🇳💯 Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has etched her name into cricket history with a sensational 113 off 158 deliveries , bringing up her maiden Test century in unforgettable fashion at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground . Playing with remarkable composure, elegant stroke play, and immense patience, Yastika anchored India's innings and showcased why she is regarded as one of the brightest stars in women's cricket. Her innings was a perfect blend of solid defence and fluent attacking cricket, helping India strengthen their position in the historic Test. This century is much more than just a personal milestone. With this incredible knock, Yastika Bhatia becomes the first woman ever to score a Test century at Lord's , ensuring her name will be permanently inscribed on the legendary Lord's Honours Board , an honour reserved for only the finest performers at the Home of Cricket. Every cricketer dreams of scoring a hundred at Lord's, and Yastika has turned that dream into reality while creating a record that will be remembered for generations. Her achievement marks another proud chapter for Indian women's cricket and serves as an inspiration for young girls aspiring to represent the country on the biggest stage. Congratulations, Yastika Bhatia, on a truly historic milestone! 👏💙 May this be the first of many Test centuries in an extraordinary career.
Heather Knight Retires From International Cricket After Farewell Test at Lord's
Heather Knight has announced her retirement from international cricket. The ongoing Test against India at Lord's is her final appearance in an England shirt. It's the first-ever women's Test played at the ground, the same venue where she lifted the 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup as captain. Knight leads England Women in appearances. She has played 320 matches across all three formats, the most by anyone in the team's history. As captain, she led England in 199 internationals and won 134 of them, with the World Cup triumph on home soil in 2017 standing as her biggest moment in charge. She also became the first England cricketer, male or female, to score international centuries in all three formats. That milestone came with an unbeaten 108 at the 2020 T20 World Cup in Canberra. Her best Test knock arrived two years later, also in Canberra, when she made an unbeaten 168 to rescue England during the Women's Ashes. Her batting numbers stand at nearly 8,000 international runs, with six centuries and fifty half-centuries, figures compiled up to the start of this farewell Test. Her retirement carries extra weight because teammate Tammy Beaumont is also playing her final Test at Lord's in this same match. Two long-serving members of England's dressing room are bowing out together. Knight isn't stepping away from the game entirely. She will take up a new role as General Manager of London Spirit, moving from the field into a leadership position off it.
England vs Argentina Semi-Final Preview: History Locked at 3-3 in One of Football's Fiercest Rivalries
England and Argentina meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on July 16, reviving one of football's most storied rivalries on the game's biggest stage. The two nations have crossed paths at the World Cup four times before, and the history is even, with three wins apiece . England won the first meeting in 1962, then edged a bad-tempered 1966 quarter-final 1-0, a game remembered for Argentina captain Antonio Rattin being sent off. Argentina hit back in the 1986 quarter-final, winning 2-1 in a match forever defined by Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" handball and his stunning solo goal moments later, both scored in the same eight-minute spell. The two sides met again at the 1998 last-16 stage, a 2-2 thriller featuring Michael Owen's wonder goal and David Beckham's red card, with Argentina eventually winning on penalties. England had the last word at the 2002 World Cup, winning 1-0 in the group stage through a Beckham penalty that was widely seen as his redemption after 1998. Beyond World Cup meetings, England hold the wider edge in official fixtures between the sides, with six wins to Argentina's two and five draws across their full history. Their most recent meeting came in a 2005 friendly, which England won. Both teams arrive at this semi-final via extra time in the quarter-finals. England beat Norway 2-1, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice, including a 93rd-minute winner, after Norway had led through Antonio Schjelderup. Argentina came from behind to beat a 10-man Switzerland 3-1, with Breel Embolo's second-half sending off proving decisive as Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time. With an even World Cup head-to-head and both sides in red-hot knockout form, this rematch of two of football's most iconic World Cup collisions could produce another classic.
France vs Spain Semi-Final Preview: A Century-Old Rivalry, But Only Their Second World Cup Meeting
France and Spain meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on July 15, a heavyweight European clash that is, remarkably, only the second time these two nations have ever faced each other at a World Cup. Their solitary previous meeting at the tournament came in the round of 16 back in 2006, when France ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, after David Villa had put Spain ahead. Spain have never beaten France at a World Cup, which makes this semi-final new territory for both sides in terms of World Cup history between them, even though they have plenty of history elsewhere. Away from World Cups, this is one of European football's fiercest rivalries, and Spain hold the overall bragging rights . Across 38 meetings in all competitions, Spain have won 18 to France's 13, with 7 draws. Spain have also won the two most recent competitive meetings between the sides, including a 2-1 win over France in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final, where a teenage Lamine Yamal announced himself on the big stage with a spectacular, record-breaking equaliser. Spain's edge extends across the bigger tournaments too, with wins over France at Euro 1984, Euro 2000, Euro 2012, Euro 2020, Euro 2024 and in the Nations League all forming part of a rivalry that has swung firmly in La Roja's favour in the competitive era. France did go decades without losing a competitive fixture to Spain, a streak that only ended when Spain won 2-0 in the Euro 2012 quarter-final. Both sides arrive in excellent form. France have been the tournament's most defensively solid side, not conceding a single goal across their last three matches, while Spain have shown they can grind out knockout football, beating Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16 before Mikel Merino struck an 88th-minute winner to see off Belgium in the quarter-final. With history tilted toward Spain and both teams playing knockout football on merit, this looks set to be one of the ties of the round.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Semi-Final Lineup Set as France, Spain, England and Argentina Battle for a Final Spot
The FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final picture is complete, with four heavyweight footballing nations left standing after a dramatic quarter-final round. France face Spain on July 15, before England take on Argentina on July 16, in what promises to be a mouth-watering final four. Notably, this is the first time the world's top four FIFA-ranked teams have all reached the World Cup semi-finals, with Argentina, Spain, France and England occupying the top four spots in the latest rankings. France vs Spain pits two of Europe's most in-form sides against each other. France have been ruthlessly efficient on their way here, beating Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32, edging out Paraguay 1-0 in the last 16, and dispatching Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal in any of those three games. Spain have matched that control in their own way, seeing off Austria 3-0, then needing just one goal to beat Portugal in the round of 16, before grinding past a stubborn Belgium 2-1 in the last eight. England vs Argentina is the standout tie of the round, and both teams have taken the hard road to get here. England needed extra time in the quarter-finals to see off Norway 2-1, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice, including a dramatic 93rd-minute winner, after Norway had led through Antonio Schjelderup. Argentina also required extra time in their quarter-final, coming from behind to beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after Breel Embolo's second-half red card. Both sides have leaned on knockout-stage resilience throughout the tournament, England needed a 3-2 win over Mexico in the round of 16, while Argentina survived a 3-2 last-16 win over Egypt and a 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde in the round of 32. The standout individual story of the tournament remains Lionel Messi , who has been directly involved in goals throughout Argentina's campaign, from a hat-trick against Algeria in the group stage, to further goals against Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout rounds, taking his tournament tally to eight. He'll now face an England side built around the in-form Bellingham, fresh off his quarter-final brace. With both semi-finals promising goals, drama and knockout football at its highest level, fans have a blockbuster week ahead before a place in the World Cup final is decided.
Argentina Survive Ten-Man Switzerland Scare to Reach World Cup Semi-Finals
Argentina needed extra time to see off a determined 10-man Switzerland and book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, winning 3-1 in Kansas City. Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina an early lead inside the first ten minutes, and it looked to be a comfortable afternoon until Dan Ndoye pulled Switzerland level midway through the second half. The game then turned five minutes later when Breel Embolo , already on a yellow card from the first half, picked up a second caution and was sent off, leaving Switzerland to defend their equaliser a man short. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Switzerland held firm through the remainder of normal time and forced the tie into extra time. Argentina's extra bodies eventually told, with Julian Alvarez restoring the lead just after the restart of extra time, before Lautaro Martinez added a third deep into stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt. It was a stretched, feisty finish overall, with Argentina picking up three second-half and extra-time bookings of their own through Thiago Almada , Martinez, and Jose Manuel Lopez as fatigue and frustration crept in late on. The win extends Argentina's dominant run through the tournament and sets up a heavyweight semi-final clash against England, who edged past Norway in their own extra-time thriller. For Switzerland, the exit ends an otherwise credible campaign, undone by the numerical disadvantage they were forced to play with for almost 50 minutes.
Bellingham Brace Sends England Past Norway Into World Cup Semi-Finals
Jude Bellingham was the difference as England battled past a stubborn Norway side 2-1 after extra time to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Norway made the early running in Miami and were rewarded in the 36th minute when Antonio Schjelderup put them ahead, leaving England chasing the game heading into the closing stages of normal time. England found their response deep into first-half stoppage time when Bellingham levelled things up, and with the scores level at the end of 90 minutes, the tie went to extra time. Bellingham then popped up again in the 93rd minute to complete his brace and hand England the lead they would not relinquish. The game had little in the way of discipline issues, with Norway's Kristoffer Ajer picking up a yellow card late in extra time as the Scandinavian side pushed for a way back in. The win extends England's fine run in the tournament and sets up a last-four meeting with the winner of Argentina and Switzerland. For Norway, it brings a highly credible World Cup campaign to a close, having gone all the way to the quarter-finals on their return to the global stage.
England Reclaim No. 1 T20I Ranking, Ending India's 1,602-Day Reign at the Top
England have reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, effective July 11, ending India's 1,605-day reign at the top of the format. The milestone follows England's dominant 4-0 series whitewash of India at home, one of their most emphatic bilateral results in the format. In the latest rankings update, England move to the summit with 269 rating points , with India dropping to second on 268 points . Just a single point separates the two sides. It's also a landmark return for England, marking their first time back at No. 1 in the format since September 2012 , completing a long climb back to the top of T20I cricket.
India's T20I Slide Continues: Series Loss to Both Ireland and England
India have now lost back-to-back bilateral T20I series on this white-ball tour, first to Ireland and then to England, a run that has raised real questions about the side's form in the format. The tour opened in Belfast, where Ireland stunned India 2-0 . The Irish won the series opener by 34 runs, posting 182 for 9 and bowling India out for 148. They then held their nerve in a thriller in the second match, defending 154 for 8 to win by just 1 run as India fell short at 153 for 9. It was India's first-ever bilateral T20I series defeat to Ireland. The tour moved on to England, and the slide got worse. The series opener in Chester-le-Street was washed out by rain with India having posted 189 for 7. England then took control, winning in Manchester by 4 wickets, before handing India their biggest-ever T20I defeat by runs , a 125-run hammering in Nottingham where India were bowled out for just 76. A 9-wicket loss in Bristol sealed the series 3-0 with a match to spare, and England completed a 4-0 sweep with a 56-run win in the fifth T20I at Southampton, where Jos Buttler's 131 and an unbeaten 95 from Harry Brook powered England to 257 for 3, their highest-ever T20I total against India. Together, the two results mean India have now lost consecutive bilateral T20I series for the first time since 2019. Captain Shreyas Iyer remains without a series win since taking over, and head coach Gautam Gambhir has pointed to a young, transitioning side as the reason for the rough patch. Attention now turns to the 50-over leg of the England tour, with the three-match ODI series starting July 14 at Edgbaston, giving India a chance to arrest the slide before a packed white-ball year ahead.
England Complete 4-0 T20I Series Sweep of India With 56-Run Win in Southampton
England completed a 4-0 sweep of the T20I series against India, winning the fifth and final match at the Rose Bowl by 56 runs. It's England's biggest-ever margin of victory over India in a bilateral T20I series. Jos Buttler set up the win with 131 off 64 balls, and Harry Brook finished unbeaten on 95 as England posted 257 for 3, their highest T20I total against India. India fought back through Tilak Varma , who smashed a 24-ball fifty, and Ishan Kishan 's 56, but the chase always trailed the required rate and India were bowled out for 201 with three balls unused. The result caps a dominant tour for England. They won four of the five completed matches, with the series opener in Chester-le-Street washed out by rain. It's India's heaviest bilateral T20I series defeat by matches, and continues a difficult stretch for captain Shreyas Iyer , who remains without a T20I series win since taking charge. Attention now turns to the 50-over leg of the tour. The two sides meet in a three-match ODI series starting July 14 at Edgbaston, giving India a chance to reset before a busier white-ball year ahead.
Kranti Gaud's Five-For Puts India Women in Command on Day 2 of Historic Lord's Test
India Women closed Day 2 of the historic Lord's Test firmly on top. Kranti Gaud took 5 for 37, bowling out England for 170, and India then raced to 154 for 1 by stumps. India lead by 269 runs with 9 wickets in hand. Gaud's five-wicket haul was the standout performance of the day. It also made her the first woman to have her name inscribed on the Lord's Honours Board, coming in the first-ever women's Test played at the ground. England were bowled out in 59.1 overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt top-scored with 44 off 85 balls before falling lbw to Gaud. Amy Jones made a fighting 52 down the order, while Maia Bouchier added 23. Sayali Satghare and Sneh Rana picked up two wickets apiece, and Deepti Sharma wrapped up the innings by trapping Lauren Filer lbw for a duck. India, batting again, were untroubled through the final session. Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 69 off 124 balls, continuing her strong form from Day 1. Shafali Verma made 33 before holing out off Sophie Ecclestone, and Yastika Bhatia finished the day unbeaten on 39, putting on a solid partnership with Mandhana. With Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma still to bat, India have plenty of depth left to extend the lead further on Day 3 and set England a stiff target in this landmark Test.
Merino strikes again as Spain edge Belgium 2-1 to reach World Cup semifinal
Spain reached their first World Cup semifinal since 2010, beating Belgium 2-1 in a tense quarterfinal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Fabián Ruiz put Spain ahead in the 30th minute, but Charles De Ketelaere levelled for Belgium just before halftime. It stayed 1-1 until the 88th minute, when substitute Mikel Merino struck the winner off a rebound. Merino has now made a habit of this. He came off the bench in the Round of 16 too and scored the only goal to knock out Portugal. This time he needed just under two minutes after coming on to make the difference. Pau Cubarsí's shot was spilled by Belgium keeper Senne Lammens, and Merino was first to the loose ball to poke it in. Belgium went into the game already missing captain Youri Tielemans, who picked up an injury in the warmup. It got worse for them in the second half when first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went off injured, bringing on Lammens. It was Lammens' error that ultimately cost Belgium the match. Spain dominated the numbers, with 18 shots to Belgium's 5 and 68% possession. Four yellow cards were shown late on, including bookings for Kevin De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, and Axel Witsel, as both sides pushed hard in the closing stages. Spain move on to face France in the semifinal on Tuesday, a repeat of their tense group meeting years ago and a fresh test for a Spanish defense that has been one of the stories of this tournament. For Belgium, the World Cup ends in the quarterfinals, their run undone by two separate goalkeeping mishaps in as many games.
India Dominate Day 1 of Historic Lord's Test, Mandhana's 83 Sets Up 285 Before England Slip to 21-1
India ended Day 1 of the historic women's Test at Lord's firmly on top. They were bowled out for 285 in 74.5 overs, then had England reeling to 21 for 1 at stumps. England trail by 264 runs with 9 wickets in hand. Smriti Mandhana led the way with 83 off 108 balls. It's the highest score by any batter on Day 1 of this historic occasion, the first-ever women's Test played at Lord's. She fell to Issy Wong, caught behind by Amy Jones, but not before setting the tone for India's innings. India lost Shafali Verma cheaply, out for a duck in the very first over. But the middle order took over from there. Jemimah Rodrigues struck 35 off just 38 balls, and Harmanpreet Kaur anchored a key stand with a patient 58. Deepti Sharma chipped in with 57, and Richa Ghosh was unbeaten on 13 when the innings folded. England's bowling was led by Sophie Ecclestone , who picked up 3 for 68 in 21.5 overs. Issy Wong and Mady Villiers took 2 wickets apiece, while Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer shared the rest between them. In reply, England lost Tammy Beaumont early, trapped lbw by Kranti Gaud for just 2. Maia Bouchier and captain Heather Knight saw out the rest of the day, with Bouchier unbeaten on 17 and Knight on 1 at the close. With a big first-innings total already on the board and early wickets in hand, India will look to press home the advantage on Day 2.
Big Bash League to Open 2026-27 Season in Chennai, First-Ever Game Outside Australia
Australia's Big Bash League will start its 2026-27 season in India. The opening match will be played at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium in December. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement in Melbourne, alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . This will be the first-ever BBL match played outside Australia. Cricket Australia has confirmed the fixture will be between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers . The Renegades will be the designated home side. The match kicks off BBL 16 on December 12 . Chennai is known for one of the most passionate cricket crowds in India, thanks to years of IPL nights at Chepauk. That reputation is a big reason the venue was picked to host cricket's newest visitor to Indian shores. The announcement is part of a wider Sports Cooperation Roadmap signed between Australia and India. The two countries have agreed to work together on sports training, technology, and industry investment. The deal also touches the Olympic calendar, with Australia preparing to host the 2032 Games in Brisbane and India building its case for the 2036 edition. For Indian fans, it means a taste of Australia's franchise league without leaving home. For the BBL, it's a direct shot at growing its reach in the world's biggest cricket market.
Spain Face Belgium in Quarterfinal Rematch of Their 1986 World Cup Classic
Spain and Belgium meet in the quarterfinals on Friday, renewing a rivalry that hasn't played out in a World Cup knockout round in almost four decades. It's only the third World Cup meeting between the two, and the first since a group-stage clash back in 1990. Spain's campaign has been close to perfect. They opened with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, then found their rhythm, thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 and edging Uruguay 1-0 to top Group H. In the knockouts, they beat Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 before needing a stoppage-time winner from Mikel Merino to see off Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16. Spain haven't conceded a single goal all tournament, a defensive record built around goalkeeper Unai Simón and anchored in midfield by Rodri, with Pedri, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal driving the attack. Belgium's route has been livelier. They drew both Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0, playing much of the second half a man down after a red card) before beating New Zealand 5-1 to close out their group. The knockouts have been dramatic: a 3-2 extra-time win over Senegal, then a 4-1 demolition of the USA in the Round of 16, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku sealing it off the bench. Kevin De Bruyne remains their creative heartbeat when fit, while Thibaut Courtois, who plays his club football in Spain with Real Madrid, gives Belgium a world-class presence between the posts. History heavily favors Spain, who have won 6 of the 7 meetings between the sides, with the solitary exception being Belgium's penalty-shootout win in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, the last time these two met at this stage of the tournament. Spain haven't lost to Belgium since, winning the last five encounters by an aggregate of 13-1, most recently a 2-0 friendly win in 2016. With both sides unbeaten through six matches so far, this quarterfinal looks set to be one of the tightest tests either team has faced at this World Cup.
India's Winless T20I Run Hits Six as First-Ever Series Loss to England Confirmed
India's slide in T20I cricket has now stretched to a historic low. After going down 3-0 to England in Bristol, India are winless in six straight men's T20Is , their longest such streak ever, easily surpassing the previous worst run of four defeats in a row, which had happened twice before, in 2009 and again in 2021. The streak began with a shock 2-0 series loss in Ireland last month, India's first defeat to the Irish in international cricket. It has carried straight into England, where the tourists lost the second and third T20Is before Thursday's 9-wicket defeat in the fourth, sealing the series with a game still to play. Only the series opener in Chester-le-Street was spared, washed out by rain without a result. This is India's first-ever bilateral T20I series defeat to England in a series of two or more matches. In every previous meeting across formats, India had managed at least a share of the spoils. England's 3-0 sweep in this series flips that record entirely, and it comes on the back of a similarly chastening 125-run loss in Nottingham, India's heaviest T20I defeat by runs. It also marks India's second consecutive bilateral T20I series defeat, the first time that's happened since 2019, when they lost back-to-back series to New Zealand and Australia. Captain Shreyas Iyer remains winless through his opening matches in charge, a tough start to a new leadership era that was supposed to build on India's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has called the phase a rebuild, pointing to a young side featuring a 15-year-old opener in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and several fringe bowlers getting their first taste of international cricket against a strong England attack. India will get a chance to end the streak in the dead-rubber fifth T20I in Southampton on Saturday, before a three-match ODI series starting July 14 in Birmingham.
France Down Morocco 2-0, Book Third Straight World Cup Semifinal
France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to reach the World Cup semifinal. Kylian Mbappé scored in the 60th minute, and Ousmane Dembélé added a second in the 66th. It was a rematch of the 2022 semifinal in Qatar, where France also beat Morocco 2-0 on their way to the final. This time Morocco couldn't find the same magic that took them all the way to the last four four years ago. France controlled the game from the start and didn't let Morocco settle into any rhythm. Mbappé was involved in both goals. He set up Dembélé for the second after combining well with him in the build-up to the first. Morocco's Issa Diop picked up a yellow card in the 63rd minute, his second of the knockout rounds, but it won't matter for his side now since their tournament ends here. The shot count summed up how one-sided the game was. France had 22 shots to Morocco's 5, and 9 were on target compared to Morocco's 1. Morocco actually had more of the ball, with 52% possession to France's 48%, but couldn't turn it into anything dangerous. With this win, France become just the third team in World Cup history to reach the semifinal in three straight tournaments (2018, 2022, 2026), joining Germany and Brazil in that exclusive club. They now wait to face the winner of Spain vs Belgium in the semifinal, still chasing a third World Cup title.
India Slump to Another T20I Series Defeat, This Time 3-0 Against England
India have suffered another T20I series defeat, this time losing 3-0 to England with a game still to play. Half-centuries from Phil Salt and Harry Brook guided the hosts to a comfortable chase in Bristol, sealing the series with a match to spare in the fourth T20I. The result completes a miserable run for India in the format. After a rain-abandoned opener in Chester-le-Street, England took control with a four-wicket win in Manchester, then delivered India's biggest-ever T20I defeat , a 125-run hammering in Nottingham where the visitors were bowled out for just 76. That collapse was their second-lowest T20I total in history, and the fastest they have ever been dismissed in the format. Captain Shreyas Iyer has now gone winless through his opening matches in charge, continuing a difficult start to his tenure. This marks India's second consecutive bilateral T20I series defeat, following a 2-0 whitewash in Ireland earlier on this tour, raising fresh questions about the team's transition since their T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. England, under Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum, have now won 18 of their last 21 completed T20Is, and this series victory marks their first-ever bilateral T20I series win over India. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue have been especially destructive with the ball throughout, repeatedly exposing gaps in India's middle order with pace and bounce that the batting unit has struggled to counter. The two sides will play a dead-rubber fifth T20I in Southampton on Saturday before moving into a three-match ODI series starting July 14 in Birmingham, giving India a chance to arrest the slide before the 50-over leg of the tour begins.
Haaland's 7 World Cup Goals Outscore Messi, Mbappe and Ronaldo's Debut Campaigns Combined
Erling Haaland has scored 7 goals in his debut FIFA World Cup, the best tournament tally by a debutant since Poland's Grzegorz Lato managed the same in 1974. His run has been built on a hat-trick of multi-goal games, including two braces, most recently in Norway's stunning 2-1 win over Brazil that sent them into their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal. What makes the number even more striking is the comparison it invites. In their own debut World Cups, Lionel Messi scored just 1 goal, Kylian Mbappe scored 4, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored 1 — a combined total of 6. Haaland's 7 goals this tournament alone have already outscored all three of their debut campaigns put together. Haaland now sits level at the top of the Golden Boot race alongside Messi and Mbappe heading into the quarterfinals, with Norway dreaming of a first-ever run deep into the tournament, 28 years after their last World Cup appearance.