A photo of soccer stars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal has become very popular. The picture shows Messi bathing Yamal when he was a baby, and it was taken during a photoshoot shared around the time Spain and Argentina played the FIFA World Cup final.
Key Facts
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are both soccer players.
The photo shows Messi bathing Yamal as a baby.
This photo became very popular online, or "went viral."
The picture was taken during a special photoshoot.
The photo is connected to the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Photographer Joan Monfort took the picture.
Messi and Yamal are now competing against each other in the World Cup final.
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Ben Duckett scored 141 runs in the third and final One Day International (ODI) cricket match against India. This is the highest score by any male batter in an ODI match held at Lord's cricket ground, breaking the previous record of 138 runs set by Sir Viv Richards in 1975.
Key Facts
Ben Duckett scored 141 runs in the third ODI against India.
This is the highest individual ODI score at Lord's cricket ground by a male player.
The previous record was 138 runs by Sir Viv Richards from 1975.
The match was the last ODI of the series between England and India.
The record-breaking innings surpassed a 49-year-old record.
The news was published 19 minutes ago.
The article is available only to users in the UK.
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Twenty-three runners from seven countries competed in marathon races on drifting sea ice at the geographic North Pole. The event took place on a 1,055-meter loop on the ice, with runners wearing thermal gear and life vests for safety.
Key Facts
The races were held on drifting sea ice at the Arctic's geographic North Pole.
Participants arrived from Norway on the French polar ship Le Commandant Charcot.
Runners completed laps on a 1,055-meter loop on the sea ice.
All runners wore thermal clothing and life vests as safety measures.
Twenty-three runners from seven different countries took part.
Denmark's Rikke Dam won the women's race with a time of 6 hours, 54 minutes, and 2 seconds.
Wang Shengxian from China won the men's race with a time of 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 22 seconds.
Organizers called the event the "world's coolest marathon."
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Experts from the University of Tennessee have helped develop natural grass fields for the World Cup, ensuring high-quality playing surfaces for matches held in different climates. They tested different types of grass and growing methods, including special lights for domed stadiums, to make sure the grass stays strong and plays well throughout the tournament.
Key Facts
The World Cup has 104 matches in 16 stadiums across three countries.
FIFA requires all World Cup matches to use natural grass fields.
Different grass species are used depending on the stadium’s climate and elevation.
Rolls of specially grown sod are shipped across the country to cover stadiums, sometimes laid on top of artificial turf.
An indoor growing facility in Tennessee tests how grass grows under special lights needed for domed stadiums.
Dr. John Sorochan and his team test the grass’s strength and how soccer balls roll and bounce on different types of grass.
A robot mimics the force of a soccer player’s cleat to check the durability of the grass.
The sod farming industry is a large business, valued at about $2.1 to $2.2 billion.
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Jacob Bethell scored 91 runs off 93 balls for England in the third One Day International (ODI) cricket match against India at Lord's. His performance helped England start strongly in the series-deciding game, despite not reaching a century (100 runs).
Key Facts
Bethell scored 91 runs in the match.
He faced 93 balls during his innings.
The match is the third ODI in the series between England and India.
The game took place at Lord's cricket ground.
England had a strong start thanks to Bethell's batting.
No player scored a century in this game.
The match is important as it will decide the outcome of the series.
The article provides live updates and highlights for UK users.
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Former players and experts are predicting who will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Most think Spain, the European champions, have the best chance to win, but some believe Argentina, the current champions led by Lionel Messi, could pull off a surprise.
Key Facts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be between Spain and Argentina.
Spain won their first World Cup 16 years ago and are European champions now.
Argentina won the previous World Cup and aims to win two in a row.
Stats company Opta gives Spain a 59.56% chance of winning.
Former players like Michael Owen and Zlatan Ibrahimovic favor Spain to win.
Some experts, like Alan Shearer, support Argentina because of their strong team spirit and Messi’s talent.
Argentina’s strategy may involve a “low-block transition,” a defense-then-attack style of play.
Spain is praised for being a confident, strong passing team working well together.
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England defeated France in a high-scoring match to claim third place at the 2026 World Cup. France fought back but could not win in manager Didier Deschamps' final game. Kylian Mbappé set a new World Cup goal record, and Michael Olise tied Lionel Messi’s assist record.
Key Facts
England won the match for third place against France at the 2026 World Cup.
England dominated the first half of the game.
France made a comeback but did not win the match.
This was the last game for France's manager, Didier Deschamps.
Kylian Mbappé became the top goal scorer in World Cup history.
Michael Olise matched Lionel Messi's record for the most assists in World Cup history.
The game took place in Miami on July 18, 2026.
Spain advanced to the World Cup final, aiming for a star on their jersey, while Argentina seeks consecutive World Cup wins.
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The final round of the 2026 Open golf tournament is taking place at Royal Birkdale. Sam Burns is leading the competition, with several other top players close behind, while players face challenging conditions including increased wind.
Key Facts
Rory McIlroy struggled with putting and is unlikely to win this Open.
Russell Henley moved up the leaderboard after several successful birdies.
Jon Rahm made double bogeys after hitting his tee shots out of bounds twice.
Three players have already scored 62 in the tournament, showing strong performances.
Sam Burns leads the tournament after unexpectedly deciding to play when his wife’s early childbirth allowed.
Other top players chasing the lead include Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Wind conditions are expected to make scoring more difficult in the afternoon.
Local favorite Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg are also notable contenders.
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Tobin Heath, a former star player of the U.S. women’s soccer team with two World Cup wins, shared her views on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She praised the tournament’s high number of goals and the diversity in playing styles, highlighting the strong performances by African teams like Cape Verde and Egypt.
Key Facts
Tobin Heath won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019 with the USA.
She also earned Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.
Heath retired in 2025 due to injuries after 181 international games and 36 goals.
She was the only woman on FIFA’s Technical Study Group analyzing the men’s 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup had a record 307 goals in 103 matches, about three goals per game.
Heath said more teams and matches helped increase goals and made the tournament more exciting.
She praised African teams like Cape Verde and Egypt for their brave and skillful play.
Heath noted new football trends, including teams quickly regaining possession and attacking from wide positions.
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Argentina and Spain will play against each other in the World Cup final. This match features star player Lionel Messi and young talent Lamine Yamal, with the biggest soccer trophy on the line.
Key Facts
The World Cup final will be between Argentina and Spain.
Lionel Messi is a key player for Argentina.
Lamine Yamal is a teenage soccer sensation playing for Spain.
The match decides the winner of football’s biggest prize.
This event is highly anticipated by fans around the world.
England finished third by beating France 6-4.
The article includes recent related news about the Americas region.
Video coverage is available but may require enabling tracking or disabling browser extensions.
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Lamine Yamal, a 19-year-old player for Spain, is part of the team that reached the World Cup final against Argentina. Although he has scored only one goal and made no assists, he has played an important role by helping the team win every game he started. If he scores in the final, he will become one of the few teenagers to score in a World Cup final.
Key Facts
Lamine Yamal is 19 years old and plays for Spain's national team.
Spain will face Argentina in the World Cup final.
Yamal has scored one goal in the tournament and has no assists.
He has started 12 major tournament games for Spain and won all of them.
He has never lost a game for Spain in 27 competitive matches.
If he scores in the final, he will be only the third teenager to do so, after Pele and Kylian Mbappe.
Yamal has attempted 49 dribbles, more than any other player in the tournament.
His teammates say he is important to the team and are encouraging him to stay calm and confident.
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A former World Cup assistant referee, Darren Cann, explained that referees at the tournament are independent and do not favor any team or player. He denied conspiracy theories claiming FIFA influences referees to help Argentina and Lionel Messi win the World Cup.
Key Facts
Darren Cann was an assistant referee at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Referees come from various countries and work independently from FIFA during the tournament.
Referees undergo intense daily training and match reviews but do not meet with FIFA executives.
Mistakes by referees can happen but are not planned or influenced by outside pressure.
A recent claim by Egypt accused referees of favoring Argentina in a match, but FIFA’s head of referees defended the officials’ integrity.
Referees make decisions quickly and do not base calls on the names of players or teams.
Conspiracy theories create pressure and abuse towards referees.
FIFA separates referees from its executive committee during the World Cup to maintain neutrality.
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Argentina is one win away from becoming only the third team to win two World Cups in a row. Lionel Messi, Argentina’s captain, is a key player and could become the first captain to lift the World Cup trophy twice. There is also talk about whether Messi will continue playing and possibly compete in the 2030 World Cup.
Key Facts
Argentina aims to win back-to-back World Cups, a feat only Italy and Brazil have done before.
Lionel Messi is close to becoming the top World Cup scorer, currently one goal behind Kylian Mbappe.
If Argentina wins, Messi will be the first captain to win two World Cup trophies.
The 2026 World Cup final will be Messi’s 34th World Cup match.
Messi has scored 15 of his 21 World Cup goals since turning 35 years old.
Experts believe Messi might continue playing for Argentina until the 2030 World Cup.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted by six countries, mostly in Spain.
Messi’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, calls him the greatest player ever and praises his performance at age 39.
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Bukayo Saka scored three goals in England’s 6-4 win against France in the World Cup third-place match, helping England achieve their best finish since 1966. Despite being left out of the semi-final by coach Thomas Tuchel, Saka showed his talent by leading the team to victory in this game.
Key Facts
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick (three goals) in the match for third place at the World Cup against France.
England won the match 6-4, their highest World Cup finish since winning in 1966.
In the semi-final against Argentina, Saka was fit but remained an unused substitute.
Coach Thomas Tuchel chose to play Morgan Rogers instead in the semi-final and switched to a defensive strategy later in that game.
Tuchel said Saka is a key player and that not playing him in the semi-final was a tough decision linked to managing his Achilles injury.
Saka’s minutes during the World Cup were carefully monitored because of his injury history with Arsenal.
Saka became the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick and the second to do so in knockout rounds after Geoff Hurst.
The semi-final ended with Argentina coming from behind to win 2-1 and reach the final.
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Argentina’s rugby coach Felipe Contepomi criticized England for celebrating loudly near his team’s area after England won 31-24 in the Nations Championship. The match was intense, with several penalties and a controversial call at the end denying Argentina a try.
Key Facts
Argentina lost to England 31-24 in the Nations Championship rugby match.
Argentina’s coach Felipe Contepomi left the post-match news conference upset about England’s loud celebrations nearby.
Contepomi asked an England official to reduce the noise from music and celebrations.
A video referee (TV match official) disallowed a try by Argentina in the final moments.
England had a strong first half with a 19-3 lead.
Four England players received yellow cards (temporary penalties) after halftime.
England and Argentina recently played in the football World Cup semi-finals, where Argentina won 2-1.
The Nations Championship will continue with more matches on 6 November and the finals on 28-29 November.
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Dricus Du Plessis won a unanimous decision against Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City. This was Du Plessis’s first fight in almost a year, and he performed strongly, landing more strikes and controlling the match from start to finish.
Key Facts
Dricus Du Plessis won by unanimous decision with judges scoring 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.
The fight was a middleweight bout, held in Oklahoma City.
Du Plessis had not fought in nearly a year before this match.
Du Plessis has a record of 24 wins and 3 losses in MMA.
Kamaru Usman, who previously held the UFC welterweight title, has lost four of his last five fights.
No takedowns or submission attempts succeeded during the fight, which was fought mainly standing up.
Du Plessis landed 136 significant strikes, while Usman landed 92.
In the co-main event, Christian Leroy Duncan defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision.
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The 2026 World Cup final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, featuring live performances before the game and at half-time. The closing ceremony will start at 1:30pm local time, with several famous artists including Post Malone performing, and the half-time show will follow shortly after the first half ends.
Key Facts
The World Cup final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3pm local time (19:00 GMT).
The stadium can hold up to 82,500 people and has hosted several major football events.
The closing ceremony starts at 1:30pm local time (17:30 GMT) and will celebrate the whole tournament.
Jennifer Hudson will sing the United States national anthem before kickoff.
The half-time show will begin just after 3:45pm local time and may last around 11 minutes, with an extended break possible between 20 to 25 minutes.
This will be the first half-time show in a World Cup final, with a stage built on the pitch and quickly removed afterward.
Performers at the closing ceremony include Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, YouTube creator IShowSpeed, and a special appearance by Tom Cruise.
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In the 2022 FIFA World Cup final held in Qatar, Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in regular and extra time. Lionel Messi scored for Argentina and won the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player, while Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick for France.
Key Facts
The final match took place at Lusail Stadium in Qatar with over 80,000 spectators.
Argentina led 2-0 at halftime, with goals by Messi (penalty) and Ángel Di María.
Kylian Mbappé scored three goals for France, including one penalty, making him the second player ever with a hat trick in a World Cup final.
The match ended 3-3, and Argentina won the penalty shootout 4-2.
Messi won the Golden Ball for the second time, a first in World Cup history.
Fans from Argentina and France showed strong passion, with many traveling to Qatar at great personal cost.
The match is viewed by some as one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played.
Celebrations continued in Argentina after the victory, while French fans congratulated their team and Mbappé.
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Spain and Argentina will face each other in the 2026 men's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Spain aims to win its second World Cup, while Argentina seeks to defend its title, led by superstar Lionel Messi.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup is the largest ever, with 48 teams competing.
Spain won its only World Cup title in 2010 and has a 37-match unbeaten streak going into the final.
Argentina has won three international tournaments in a row before the 2026 World Cup.
Spain’s current team is younger and led by coach Luis de la Fuente, who brought in players under 21 years old.
Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simón kept a record 650 minutes without conceding a goal during the tournament.
Mikel Oyarzabal is Spain’s top scorer in the tournament with five goals, matching a national record.
Argentina is known for playing around Lionel Messi, who is considered one of the best players ever.
The final match is a chance for Argentina to win back-to-back World Cup titles, something only a few teams have achieved.
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The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup final will be played between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The match will be shown on FOX and Telemundo, with online streaming available through several services.
Key Facts
The tournament started on June 11, 2026, with Mexico and South Africa playing the first match.
The U.S. team won their first game against Paraguay 4-1.
The semifinal teams were Argentina, Spain, France, and England—all previous World Cup winners.
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semifinals, and Argentina beat England 2-1.
The final will feature a halftime show with performances by Shakira, BTS, Madonna, and Justin Bieber.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappé (France) are leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals each.
The final match is at 3 p.m. ET and will air on FOX, Telemundo, and online platforms like FOX One and Peacock.
This is the first World Cup final since 1990 featuring only former champions in the semifinal and final stages.
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