Football

Lionel Messi scored a stunning hat-trick on his 200th senior international appearance as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener in Kansas City.

Harry Kane scored twice as England began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia in Group L. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added second-half goals as Thomas Tuchel’s side sealed an impressive opening victory at Dallas Stadium.

Vinicius Jr scored a brilliant first-half equaliser as Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.

East Bengal FC ended their Indian Women’s League 2025-26 campaign with a 2-0 win against Sribhumi Football Club at the East Bengal Ground. Goals from Fazila Ikwaput and Sulanjana Raul helped the Red and Gold brigade successfully defend their IWL crown.

An 85th-minute strike from Edmund looked enough to hand East Bengal FC the ISL title in a dramatic Kolkata Derby. But a late Jason Cummings header rescued a point for Mohun Bagan Super Giant in front of a packed Salt Lake Stadium. From tactical battles to defensive errors, missed chances, and last-minute drama, this was a derby that truly lived up to its legacy.

A ruthless East Bengal FC dismantled Mohammedan SC 7-0 in a one-sided Kolkata derby, showcasing attacking brilliance, tactical dominance, and clinical finishing to break into the top four.

Mohun Bagan Super Giants took on Mumbai City FC in a crucial top half clash in the ISL on 20th March at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Both teams mostly went in with unchanged starting lineups. The match started with both teams trying to control the midfield. Mohun Bagan was depending more in winf play with Dimi Petratos and Colaco shifting wings constantly. Mumbai depended more on the counter through the usual route of Kauko, Pereyra Diaz and Ortiz.

Imran Khan’s first-half strike and a standout performance from goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz helped Chennaiyin FC defeat Kerala Blasters 1-0 in Kochi to secure their first win of the ISL 2025–26 season.

India suffered a heavy 0-11 defeat against Japan in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Group C clash in Perth, but the Blue Tigresses remain alive in the quarter-final race with a decisive final group match still to play.

First-half goals from Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan helped Bengaluru FC secure a narrow 2-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata, despite a spirited second-half fightback from the home side.

A Jamie Maclaren hat-trick powered Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a dominant 5-1 victory over Odisha FC, as the Mariners ran riot in the first half to strengthen their position at the top of the league table.

East Bengal and FC Goa played out a goalless draw in a scrappy contest where both sides struggled to create clear chances, with the visitors coming closest through counter-attacks while the Red and Gold Brigade pushed late without reward.

India suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Vietnam in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 opener, conceding in stoppage time despite debutant Sanfida Nongrum’s equaliser and a resilient display from goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu.

It was the first Kolkata Derby of the highly anticipated Indian Super League season. Mohammedan Sporting came into this match without scoring in any of their previous five matches.

Nsungusi Jr. Effiong’s first-half brace guided Punjab FC to a commanding 2-0 win over Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, securing the Shers’ first victory of the ISL 2025-26 season.

Jamshedpur FC edged past East Bengal 2-1 in a dramatic top-of-the-table clash at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Edmund Lalrindika’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Stephen Eze before Tachikawa’s late wonder goal sealed all three points for the visitors, silencing the home crowd in Kolkata.

Sangita Basfore views the AFC Women’s Asian Cup not as the destination but as a stepping stone to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. From her decisive goals in qualification to India’s structured preparation in Australia, the midfielder remains focused on taking the Blue Tigresses one step closer to the global stage.

Mohun Bagan Super Giants took on Chennaiyin FC on Monday evening at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan for their second fixture of the season. Coming off a thumping victory over Kerala Blasters, the Mariners were looking to consolidate their perfect start while trying to keep in touch with their arch rivals on the points table. Chennaiyin were looking to open their account in the 2025-26 campaign on the other hand after going down narrowly in their opening fixture against Mum

FC Goa claimed a comfortable 2–0 victory over Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata to register their first win of the ISL 2025–26 season. Early strikes from Pol Moreno and Dejan Dražić ensured the Gaurs took full control, while Mohammedan continued their search for their first goal of the campaign.

The AIFF has released the ISL 2025–26 fixtures, with the season starting on February 14 and featuring 14 teams in a single-leg format. Mohun Bagan Super Giant face Kerala Blasters in the opener as the race for the title begins.