New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) The FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially become the fastest edition of the global showpiece to hit the 100-goal milestone in 68 years, achieving the feat in just 33 matches. Mexico’s Julian Quinones opened the scoring in this World Cup in a 2-0 win over South Africa on June 12. Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands netted the 100th goal at this year’s tournament with the Netherlands’ third goal in a 5-1 win over Sweden on Sunday (IST).Reaching 100 goals in only 33 matches is a …

Houston, June 21 (IANS) Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said his side’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Sweden at the FIFA World Cup demonstrated the attacking threat of the Dutch team and provided a boost of confidence following their opening draw against Japan. The Netherlands delivered one of its most impressive performances of the tournament so far, with Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scoring twice before substitute Crysencio Summerville added a late fifth goal.Koeman praised his side’s attacki…

Houston, June 21 (IANS) Following the Oranje’s 5-1 demolition of their fellow Europeans Sweden, captain Virgil van Dijk praised the Netherlands’ performance and ability to bounce back after a difficult draw against Japan in the opening round. This was the Netherlands’ first victory at the FIFA World Cup 2026. It also proved to be a much-needed result, securing top spot in Group F following a frustrating draw with Japan.”I think the outside world underestimated Japan a little; they’re a gre…

Atlanta, June 21 (IANS) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains tight-lipped on star player Lamine Yamal’s playing time as Spain takes on Saudi Arabia in its second Group H game of the FIFA World Cup. Spain suffered a surprise goalless draw against Cabo Verde in its opening match, with Yamal coming off the bench as a second-half substitute. De la Fuente confirmed in a press conference that Yamal is in good form and the player is eager to deliver a good performance.”He is fine, it is the best news….

Kansas City, June 21 (IANS) Eloy Room’s incredible saves helped Curacao to secure their first World Cup point after playing out a goalless draw with Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E encounter here at the Kansas City Stadium on Sunday. Curacao, the smallest country to ever compete at the global finals, scripted an otherworldly story as Goalkeeper Room was the 15-save hero as they drew 0-0 with Ecuador.This is just the third goalless draw in 33 World Cup encounters between CONMEBOL and C…

Washington, June 21 (IANS) In a unique intersection of space science and sports engineering, the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the ‘Trionda’, was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) with astronauts aboard to study ball balance in microgravity. “The official FIFA World Cup ball went to space. Soccer balls need to move predictably, so sports engineers carefully measure and optimise their centre of mass and balance,” NASA said in an Instagram post. In partnership with t…

Toronto, June 21 (IANS) Deniz Undav came off the bench in the second half and scored a brace to see Germany come from behind and advance to the knockouts with a 2-1 win over Cote d’Ivoire in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match here at Toronto Stadium on Sunday (IST). That was absolutely thrilling from start to finish, with Deniz Undav coming off the bench to turn the game on its head. Cote d’Ivoire were 1-0 up when Undav was introduced on the hour. Within eight minutes, he’d equalised and went…

Ranchi, June 21 (IANS) The Jamshedpur Steelers officially sealed their semifinal spot in the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League 2026 after defeating the Dhanbad Diamonds by 31 runs via the VJD Method at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. With this victory, the Steelers have become the third team to confirm a place in the knockout stage.After batting first, the Jamshedpur Steelers posted a formidable total of 220/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Player of the match, MD Kounain Quraishi spearheaded th…

New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were presented the Best Athlete Awards, male and female, respectively, at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards here on Saturday evening. Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja were named the Best Emerging Athletes at a glittering ceremony.Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya gave away the awards instituted by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). A galaxy of dignitaries, including World Athletics Vice President Adille…

Houston, June 21 (IANS) The Netherlands produced a ruthless attacking display to overpower Sweden 5-1 and climb to the top of Group F at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Houston on Sunday. Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scored braces as the Dutch turned a highly anticipated European showdown into a one-sided affair, leaving Sweden chasing shadows for much of the contest.The Oranje made a dream start, taking the lead in the fifth minute when Brobbey arrived to finish a dangerous delivery from Gakpo….