Germany went down to a shock 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier on Thursday, while Spain kicked off their bid to reach next year's finals with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Bulgaria. Germany have gone out of each of the last two World Cups in the group stage, but have never failed in a qualifying campaign.
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World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla supports Neeraj Chopra for the World Athletics Championships. He anticipates a strong showing from Chopra, despite a recent second-place finish. Sumariwalla expects a good competition between Chopra and Julian Weber. He also predicts India will improve upon its performance from the previous year's World Championships.
The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand will feature World Champion D Gukesh and Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, alongside a strong Indian contingent. Gukesh aims to maintain momentum, while Deshmukh seeks to test herself against top players. With Candidates spots and significant prize money at stake, the tournament promises intense competition and a showcase of India's chess talent.
The Indian men's hockey team faces China in a crucial Asia Cup match, with a spot in the final at stake. Coach Craig Fulton emphasizes learning from past mistakes and maintaining composure under pressure, particularly regarding crowd expectations. While backing goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Fulton stresses the importance of team support to avoid costly errors in this pivotal game.
Kylian Mbappé marked his return to World Cup qualifying with a goal as France defeated Ukraine 2-0 in Poland. This victory, alongside Iceland's 5-0 win, starts their campaign strongly. Italy also secured a 5-0 win against Estonia, while Switzerland and Greece dominated their matches. Mbappé's goal tied Thierry Henry's record, fueling his ambition to surpass it.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were assured of at least a bronze medal at the World Championships in Paris, overcoming their rivals Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in a thrilling quarter-final match. The Indian duo displayed dominance, winning 21-12, 21-19, securing their place in the semifinals against China's Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi. This victory marks India's continued success at the championships since 2011.
Novak Djokovic, despite a straight-sets defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semi-final, remains committed to pursuing Grand Slam titles. The 38-year-old acknowledged the physical challenges posed by younger rivals like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in best-of-five matches. Djokovic aims to compete in all Grand Slam tournaments next year, recognizing their paramount importance in tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Amanda Anisimova at the US Open, securing her second consecutive title with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (3). This victory marks Sabalenka's fourth Grand Slam title, all achieved on hard courts, and solidifies her position as the World No. 1. She becomes the first woman since Serena Williams to defend the US Open title.
Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay have clinched their spots in the 2026 World Cup, joining Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador. Uruguay and Colombia celebrated dominant 3-0 victories, while Paraguay secured their qualification with a draw. Argentina also triumphed over Venezuela, and Brazil defeated Chile with goals from Estevao, Lucas Paqueta, and Bruno Guimaraes.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships after a hard-fought semi-final loss to China's Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi. Despite a promising start and winning the second game, the Indian duo couldn't maintain their momentum in the decisive third game. The Chinese pair's relentless pace and fewer errors led them to victory.
Manchester United secured a dramatic 3-2 victory against Burnley with a late penalty from Bruno Fernandes, easing pressure on their manager. Elsewhere, Tottenham suffered their first defeat under Thomas Frank, losing 1-0 to Bournemouth. Chelsea benefited from VAR decisions in their 2-0 win over Fulham, while Everton triumphed 3-2 against Wolves, fueled by Jack Grealish's stellar performance.