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Spain crowned Fifa World Cup champions after beating Argentina

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Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi's dreams of a triumphant farewell to football's greatest stage. Barcelona striker Torres lashed home a thumping finish in the 106th minute to reward a dominant display by Spain against an Argentina team who failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes. A star-studded crowd of 80,663 that included US President Donald Trump packed East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium to see if Argentina captain Messi could crown his glittering career with a second World Cup victory. But the 39-year-old maestro — almost certainly playing in his final World Cup game — was reduced to irrelevance as Spain took control early on against an Argentina team who committed a catalogue of cynical fouls throughout. The South Americans' skulduggery ended with midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a brutal challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi...

Golden Boot a chance for Mbappe as Messi faces invincible Spain

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The race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot has entered its most thrilling phase, with France’s Kylian Mbappé emerging as the leading contender while Lionel Messi prepares for a showdown against an unbeaten Spain side. As football fans debate between two generations of greatness, the Golden Boot battle has become one of the biggest attractions of the tournament finale. For millions of supporters, Mbappé’s journey to this defining moment represents years of hard work, consistency and brilliance on the biggest stage. The France forward strengthened his claim after delivering a spectacular two-goal performance against England in the third-place play-off, taking his tournament tally to 10 goals and putting himself in pole position for the prestigious individual award. However, another section of fans continues to back Argentina captain Lionel Messi, believing the legendary forward still has one final opportunity to rewrite history. Messi has remained among the tournament’s most infl...

Argentina seek glorious World Cup finale for Messi against Spain

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Lionel Messi's battle-hardened Argentina take on silky Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday as the first 48-team tournament in history reaches a climax in New Jersey. The South Americans are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are eyeing a second title after their maiden victory in 2010. After concerns in recent days that the final could be affected by smoke from wildfires in Canada that has blanketed eastern US states, there were blue skies over New Jersey on Sunday morning. The showpiece at the MetLife Stadium, the culmination of the 104-match tournament, is likely to be the final World Cup appearance for Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time. US President Donald Trump will be among the 80,000-strong crowd in East Rutherford - the first game he has attended in the tournament. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also attend, meaning the leaders of a...

Govt shifts to daily fuel price revision mechanism amid surge in global oil rates: Petroleum Minister

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The federal government has decided to review fuel prices on a daily basis amid a surge in global oil rates, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Friday. Addressing a press conference alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Malik said the decision was approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet. Renewed military strikes in the Middle East were also weighing on risk sentiment, keeping oil prices elevated and reigniting concerns about inflation and growth. Oil prices were on the rise, with Brent crude futures LCOc1 up 0.6% at $84.75 a barrel, while US crude CLc1 advanced 1.1% to $79.8 per barrel. He said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) would determine fuel prices daily, with updated rates to be published on its website. Expressing concern over renewed tensions in the Middle East, the minister said the conflict heightened uncertainty in global energy markets. He noted that international diesel prices had risen sharply following the lat...

Argentina qualify for final of FIFA Football World Cup

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Argentina qualified for final of the FIFA Football World Cup beating England by 2-1 goals in the second semi-final in Atlanta last night. The third-place match will be played in Miami on Saturday at two in the night. The final will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium on Sunday midnight. via Original Source

Messi inspires Argentina into second straight World Cup final

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Lionel Messi inspired a stunning late comeback as Argentina overturned a one-goal deficit to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday, booking a place in the World Cup final with two goals in the final seven minutes. Just when England appeared set for victory after Anthony Gordon's second-half goal, Argentina mounted a relentless late siege and got their reward as Fernandez levelled before Martinez completed the turnaround in the 92nd minute with Messi providing the pass for the equaliser and the cross for the winner. The result added another unforgettable chapter to one of football's fiercest rivalries, a contest rich in history, emotion and tension from the opening whistle. For England, dreams of a first World Cup final since 1966, when they enjoyed their only triumph at the global tournament, were dashed in the closing stages, while Argentina celebrated a comeback that kept alive their quest for another world title. With England inexplicably parked in their own end, an Argentina eq...

Messi set for long-awaited first England clash in World Cup semi-final

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Lionel Messi has spent over two decades carving a path through international soccer, facing every World Cup-winning nation from Brazil to France, but one notable opponent has always been missing from the list: England. That will change on Wednesday when Argentina meet the European side in a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, a heavyweight clash that Argentina's FA (AFA) described on its website as "the match fate owed Messi." The 39-year-old Messi has played Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain and France during his career, yet never crossed paths with England. The closest he came was a friendly in Geneva in November 2005, the last time the two sides faced each other. Argentina lost 3-2 as Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, who scored twice, overturned goals from Hernan Crespo and Walter Samuel. Messi, however, missed out after being sent off on his international debut against Hungary earlier that year. "It's special because they're a great team, a powerhous...