Rodrigo de Paul has become, in this Argentina squad, what Jose Manuel Pinto once was at Barcelona, or Luis Suarez later became: the team-mate with whom Messi instantly feels at home.

Their bond was forged on international duty. Until then, the midfielder’s only connection to Messi had been asking for a photo after a Valencia–Barcelona match, which he proudly posted on social media.

One afternoon, he noticed Messi leave training alone, looking subdued. Concerned, De Paul waited about 40 minutes before knocking on his door.

“Fancy a mate and a game of truco?”

A friendship began, with its own strict etiquette. Mate, the drink, together every morning in De Paul’s room. In order of arrival, Leo first, then other members of the squad. If they got up too early, they have to wait for the moment to get to De Paul’s room, nobody can jump the routine.

De Paul sometimes calls Messi ‘El Pequeno’ (the little one), even though he is the oldest in the room.

He needles him, treats him like a normal guy rather than a monument, because that is what Messi actually more often than not wants: to be Leo, not Messi. De Paul knows him well enough to sense when to leave him alone, too.

Walking out to the pitch, Messi leads, De Paul at his side, the rest of the squad fanning out behind almost in a wedge – like a street gang protecting its leader.

For many of this group Messi was never simply a team-mate first, he was the childhood idol on television, the reason some of them picked up a ball at all.

The whole squad wears the same boots, the Adidas Adistar Messi. For his birthday in June, the players wore a T-shirt printed with a photo of themselves alongside Leo from some point across his years with the national team.

FIFA World Cup: England vs Argentina semi-final clash in Atlanta on Thursday. (AP/ANI Photos)

LONDON: The FBI has labelled England’s semifinal with Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday night as the highest risk match due to the fierce and enduring rivalry between the two sides.Forty years ago when Argentina beat England 2-1 in the Mexico’86 quarterfinal at the Azteca Stadium, the English were incensed. “He cheated,” England goalkeeper Peter Shilton said. “He didn’t show any remorse.”Argentina’s first goal, scored by Diego Maradona, came when he punched the ball past Shilton into the net with his fist. Despite England’s protestations, the referee claimed he didn’t see it and allowed it. Minutes later, Maradona scored the greatest World Cup goal of all time. Argentina would later go on to lift the World Cup, and Maradona would describe his first England goal as “ the hand of God”.Maradona later admitted in his autobiography that he indeed used his hand and said it was “some sort of symbolic revenge against the English” for the 1982 Falklands War, in which 649 Argentinians and 255 British troops died. Of the Argentinians killed, 323 were onboard the ARA Belgrano, the Argentine naval ship, when the then UK PM Margaret Thatcher authorised its sinking.“All I wanted to do was honour the memory of the dead,” Maradona said. “To wipe England off the world map – the world football map, that is.”On Wednesday, Maradona’s son, Diego Sinagara, urged fans to remember those who died, telling Spanish newspaper Marca: “For all Argentinians and Maradona fans, it will be a different kind of match, one that brings to mind everything about the Malvinas (Falklands War) and all our brothers who died there…”Last week the Argentina national football team released a video showing players celebrating in their dressing room with Argentina’s World Cup fan anthem La Cuarta Estrella, which includes the lyrics: “I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego.”“Las Malvinas” is the Argentine name for the Falkland Islands. This week Argentina’s foreign minister Pablo Quirrno called Falklands Islanders an “artificially implanted” population in an essay in Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, demanding Britain enter talks to hand over the territory. He claimed the 2013 referendum was illegitimate.The UK Prime Minister’s official spokesman retorted: “The Falkland islanders are British with a right to determine their own future. The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory.”This bitter rivalry, however, extends to even before the Falklands War. In 1966, when the two sides met in the World Cup quarterfinal at Wembley, Argentinian players used violent tackles, spitting, hair-pulling, and severe intimidation tactics. England manager Alf Ramsey famously branded them “animals” and Argentina captain Antonio Rattin, who died at the weekend, was sent off for dissent for arguing with the referee. The police had to be called to remove him from the pitch.The two sides met at France ’98 when David Beckham was given a red card kicking Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone. Simeone later admitted he had done everything possible to provoke the England midfielder. England lost on penalties. “English players are more naive. We look for ways to destroy him,” Roberto Perfumo, former Argentine captain, told the Guardian in 2002.Whilst Argentinian football culture appears to be all about whipping up anti-English sentiment, football was ironically introduced to Argentina in 1867 by the Hogg brothers who were Englishmen from Skelton, Yorkshire.Pubs across Britain are getting decked out for the biggest night of the year with flags ready. England fans are confident England can win. They also see the match as revenge for Maradona’s ‘Hand of God.’

Chennai Super Kings have decided to part ways with head coach Stephen Fleming, but he may not be the only change in the team management ahead of IPL 2027, according to a report by Cricbuzz. The report claimed that bowling coach Eric Simons could also lose his job after CSK finished eighth with just 6 wins in IPL 2026. While there was no update on batting coach Mike Hussey’s situation, the report added that the franchise seems to be headed for a major shake-up. Even the decision over Fleming came as a slight surprise after reports that the former New Zealand captain may end up staying as head coach.

However, it all reportedly changed after Texas Super Kings finished at the bottom of the Major League Cricket (MLC) points table with 7 defeats in 10 matches. Fleming was the head coach of the MLC team as well, and the report claimed that while tensions had been rising over time in CSK, the poor show in the US proved to be the last straw for Fleming. 

Announcing the decision, CSK owner Rupa Gurunath paid tribute to Fleming’s contribution to the franchise over nearly two decades. “Stephen Fleming has been the heartbeat of our coaching unit for almost the entire journey of this franchise. For nearly two decades, he has helped shape our identity, vision, and pursuit of excellence. On behalf of everyone at the Super Kings franchise, we extend our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment, passion, and leadership. While our journey together on the field comes to a close, he will always remain an integral part of the team’s legacy,” she said.

CSK Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan said Fleming’s influence extended well beyond on-field results, crediting him with establishing the culture that became synonymous with the franchise.

“From the earliest days of this journey, Fleming helped define not just how we played, but what we wanted to be as a franchise. He built a culture rooted in consistency, humility, and putting the team first. His ability to understand people and bring out the best from individuals across the team has been one of his greatest strengths. His influence extends far beyond the boundary, and we are proud to have shared this remarkable journey together,” Kasi stated.

Reflecting on his departure, Fleming described his time with CSK as the defining chapter of his coaching career and thanked the franchise for nearly two decades of shared success.

“Eighteen years is a lifetime in sport, and I leave with nothing but gratitude. My time with Chennai Super Kings has been the privilege of my coaching career. I am proud of everything we have achieved. Together, we celebrated unforgettable victories, overcame difficult moments, and built memories that will stay with me forever. CSK will always be close to my heart, and I will be cheering the team on for years to come,” Fleming said.

(With IANS inputs)

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Spain arrived at the Fifa World Cup 2026 semifinal with fewer goals and less noise surrounding them than France. They left Texas looking like the tournament’s most complete team.

A 2-0 victory over Didier Deschamps’ side sent La Roja into their first World Cup final since their title-winning campaign in 2010 and moved the European champions within one match of holding football’s two biggest international trophies simultaneously.

Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first-half penalty after Lamine Yamal drew a foul from Lucas Digne, before Pedro Porro completed a sharp combination with Dani Olmo early in the second half.

The scoreline, however, captured only part of Spain’s superiority.

Les Blues entered the semifinal with the competition’s most feared attack and Kylian Mbappe leading the Golden Boot race. Yet they did not record a shot on target until the 81st minute and finished with only two as Spain denied their forwards possession, space and momentum.

Spain will face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. France will meet the loser of that semifinal in the third-place match in Miami on Saturday.

Spain turn possession into a defensive weapon

Spain’s victory was built not merely on keeping the ball, but on controlling where France could receive it.

Their midfield circulated possession patiently, shifted the French block from side to side and accelerated whenever a passing lane appeared. When Spain lost the ball, their counter-press prevented France from releasing Mbappe, Bradley Barcola or Ousmane Dembele into open space.

France’s attackers thrive when matches become stretched. Spain refused to allow that.

Spain frequently resembled a club side rather than a national team assembled for a short tournament. The positioning was coordinated, the passing options appeared almost automatic and players knew where to move before receiving the ball.

France, by contrast, spent long periods reacting rather than dictating.

The gap became especially pronounced in midfield. Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Olmo repeatedly created passing triangles around France’s central players, drawing them forward and opening space behind them.

How Spain forced the opening goal

The first decisive moment came in the 22nd minute.

Marc Cucurella delivered a deep cross into the France penalty area. Digne controlled the ball on his chest but, as he attempted to clear it, Yamal moved across him and absorbed the left-back’s follow-through.

Referee Ivan Barton immediately awarded the penalty.

Replays raised a question over whether the ball had struck Yamal’s arm shortly before the foul. However, the contact appeared close to the shoulder line, while the winger’s arm remained tucked within his natural body shape. The penalty decision was therefore allowed to stand.

Oyarzabal struck firmly beyond Mike Maignan for his fifth goal of the tournament.

France had not trailed previously at this World Cup. The goal confronted them with a situation their free-scoring run had largely allowed them to avoid: breaking down an organised opponent while chasing the match.

France’s attacking stars disappear from the contest

France briefly threatened through Barcola in the opening stages when he escaped Porro and advanced towards the Spanish penalty area. His cross was blocked, and the move proved to be France’s only meaningful attack during the first hour.

Thereafter, almost every promising French move broke down before reaching Mbappe.

Michael Olise had an early opportunity to release the captain but failed to execute the pass. That became a recurring problem. Olise, Barcola and Dembele often recognised the right option but overhit, delayed or misplaced the final ball.

Mbappe was increasingly isolated and repeatedly caught offside. With Spain keeping their defensive distances compact, he received few opportunities to turn and accelerate towards goal.

Dembele changed positions without influencing the game, while Barcola was replaced by Desire Doue before the hour. Rayan Cherki later came on for Olise, but by then Spain had doubled their advantage.

France’s first effort on target arrived only in the 81st minute. Unai Simon raced from his goal to challenge Mbappe, and the loose ball fell to Doue. His attempted finish lacked power and was comfortably saved.

The chance reflected France’s performance: hurried, imprecise and well below the attacking standard they had established earlier in the tournament.

Deschamps accepted that Spain had been technically superior.

“The players are devastated, but we have to be clear-headed: technically, we were second best,” he said after the match.

Saliba injury deepens France’s problems

France’s difficult first half became worse when William Saliba was forced off with an injury.

The Arsenal defender had acknowledged earlier in the tournament that he had been managing physical discomfort for several months. He had continued playing through minor problems during Arsenal’s domestic and European campaigns before joining the national squad.

His departure disrupted France’s most established central-defensive partnership.

Maxence Lacroix replaced him and earned only his sixth international appearance in one of the biggest matches of his career. Although France avoided an immediate collapse, they lost some of Saliba’s composure, anticipation and ability to progress the ball under pressure.

France fail to act on Spain’s warning

Spain had already come close to a second goal before half-time when Dayot Upamecano denied Ruiz with a last-ditch intervention.

The warning signs became clearer after the interval.

Olmo’s positioning was central to Spain’s control. He repeatedly drifted into pockets behind France’s midfield, forcing defenders to decide whether to step forward and leave space or remain deep and allow him to turn.

The second goal followed the same pattern.

Porro moved inside from the right and exchanged passes with Olmo before finishing past Maignan. The sequence was simple in appearance but was made possible by Spain’s movement and France’s inability to close the central spaces.

At 2-0, Spain no longer needed to chase another goal. They could control possession, manage the tempo and wait for France to take increasingly desperate risks.

France never found a route back.

Rodri controls another major match

At the centre of Spain’s performance was Rodri.

The Spain captain has endured an injury-disrupted period since helping his country win Euro 2024, but his display against France suggested he has returned close to his Ballon d’Or-winning level.

Rodri controlled Spain’s possession through short combinations and longer switches of play. More importantly, he repeatedly anticipated where France intended to attack.

Late in the first half, he stepped across Dembele to regain possession before the forward could advance. Soon afterwards, he moved towards the left to block a Digne cross.

Rodri also dominated the physical contests in midfield, allowing Ruiz and Olmo to operate higher up the pitch.

France’s nearest player, usually Olise, spent much of the match trying to close him down without succeeding. Each failed press created additional space for another Spanish midfielder.

The performance reinforced an enduring truth about knockout football: star forwards often decide isolated moments, but elite midfielders determine the conditions in which those moments can occur.

Rodri ensured France’s forwards rarely received such an opportunity.

Yamal finds his defining World Cup performance

Yamal had entered the World Cup carrying a hamstring problem that restricted his involvement during the opening phase of the tournament.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had predicted before the semifinal that the winger’s defining performance was still to come.

Against France, Yamal looked sharper, more aggressive and more willing to attack defenders directly. His run across Digne created the penalty, while his movement repeatedly pushed the French left-back towards his own goal.

Yamal did not score or register the final pass for either goal, but his influence changed how France defended. Digne could not advance freely, and additional cover was often required whenever the teenager received possession.

Spain’s progression without relying entirely on Yamal may prove equally significant.

Were Spain underestimated?

Spain’s route to the semifinal had attracted less attention than France’s.

Their opening draw against Cape Verde was viewed as a disappointment. Subsequent group victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay were not regarded as conclusive evidence that Spain could dominate the tournament’s strongest teams.

Yamal’s injury also removed some of the spectacle expected from one of football’s most marketable young players.

Yet Spain arrived against France having avoided defeat in regulation or extra time since March 2023. A penalty-shootout loss to Portugal in the Nations League final was their only setback during that period.

Their semifinal display brought their qualities together in one match: defensive organisation, midfield control, positional discipline, patient possession and the ability to press immediately after losing the ball.

France had scored freely throughout the tournament. Spain reduced them to hopeful passes, isolated runs and late frustration.

Mbappe’s booking for a challenge on Simon towards the end reflected how completely the contest had moved away from France.

Golden Boot race remains open

France’s elimination from the title race does not end Mbappe’s pursuit of the Golden Boot because he could still play in the third-place match.

The fixture is often regarded as an unwanted obligation, but it can influence individual scoring awards. Just Fontaine scored four times in the 1958 third-place match to finish that tournament with a record 13 goals.

Mbappe and Messi currently lead the 2026 race with eight goals each.

Mbappe’s prospects may depend on whether he starts in Miami and how seriously France approach the match. Messi or Kane, meanwhile, could be involved in Sunday’s final, where chances are likely to be harder to create.

Oyarzabal’s penalty moved him alongside Dembele on five goals and added another attacking option to a Spain team whose success has not depended on one scorer.

A minor refereeing oddity

Barton delivered a largely controlled performance, including the immediate penalty decision in the first half.

His most unusual moment came when he attempted to organise a free kick and realised he had entered the field without his vanishing spray. Play was briefly delayed while he collected a spare can from the fourth official.

Spain now stand one victory from another golden era

Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph came at the height of an era defined by Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and a style of possession football that changed the international game.

The current side is different. It moves the ball with similar confidence but plays with greater vertical speed and presses more aggressively after losing possession.

Rodri provides the central authority. Olmo and Ruiz find space around him. Porro and Cucurella offer width and energy. Yamal gives Spain unpredictability, while Oyarzabal supplies composure in decisive moments.

Together, they have created a team that can dominate without becoming passive.

France possessed the more celebrated attack and the tournament’s leading scorer. Spain dictated almost every other element of the semifinal.

One side arrived with the competition’s most feared forwards. The other ensured they barely touched the ball in dangerous areas.

That distinction carried Spain back to the World Cup final after a 16-year wait.

Man United moved quickly for Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans following the conclusion of his World Cup campaign.

There are few real surprises in modern-day football. Take Manchester United’s move for Andrey Santos, for example. When he was announced as a United player on Monday afternoon, nobody was shocked to see him signing on the dotted line at Old Trafford. But just a couple of hours earlier, United fans had been left stunned.

It was revealed that United were in advanced talks to sign Youri Tielemans and that he was keen to move to Old Trafford. Just days after his World Cup campaign had ended, United were on the verge of adding the impressive midfielder to their ranks and confirmation of his move arrived on Tuesday evening.

Having starred for Leicester City and Villa in the Premier League, Tielemans’ abilities are well known. But he will bring far more to Old Trafford than his ability with the ball at his feet.

The midfielder was named Belgium’s captain by head coach Rudi Garcia in 2025. Being named captain of your country is, of course, a huge accomplishment, but it was made even more impressive given the competition Tielemans beat off to get the armband. “He has a good relationship with everyone in the group,” Garcia explained. “He enjoys unanimity within the group.

“Even though other guys remain important leaders, like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku… Youri gets the armband.” That show of confidence in Tielemans was rewarded at the World Cup. Against Senegal in the round of 32, Tielemans grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. He scuffled with Leandro Trossard as he demanded higher standards, before delivering two goals to help turn the game on its head.

It was a statement performance from Tielemans and one that earned him praise from teammate and former Manchester City star De Bruyne. “Youri has been a great servant to Belgium,” the midfielder said. “He is now leading the team as captain and is someone everyone can look to, both on and off the pitch.

“I think he’s a fantastic guy and, thankfully, his two goals made the difference in getting us through today.”

These glowing recommendations from the Belgium camp will be music to the ears of United.

Casemiro’s exit saw the departure of a real leader, and while there are still plenty of leaders in the United squad, losing a voice like that from the dressing room was always bound to be a blow, particularly to the younger players in the group.

It’s understood Kobbie Mainoo loved playing alongside Casemiro, and with players like Mateus Fernandes (22) and Elliot Anderson (23) being targeted to play alongside Mainoo, you started to wonder how the academy graduate might suffer without an experienced pro alongside him.

The addition of Tielemans should hopefully mean that is no longer an issue.

France captain Kylian Mbappe did not mince his words as Les Bleus were knocked out of the World Cup final race with a 0-2 defeat against Spain at the penultimate hurdle. Spain looked the better side right from the start of the game, producing the sort of technical football that nullified France’s biggest assets on the pitch and exposed their primary weaknesses. Mbappe, speaking to the media after the match, did not hesitate to admit that his teammates were not up to the task against the reigning European champions on the day.

“I don’t think we played the match we wanted to play — whether tactically, technically, or in terms of our overall performance level,” Mbappe said. “And when you don’t do what you are supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don’t win.”

“Our goal was to press them high up the pitch to prevent them from settling into that slow, controlled rhythm — because when it comes to controlling the game, they are better than us. We failed to do that.”

Getting into the tactical details of the game, Mbappe said that France’s initial plan was to press high up the pitch, but Spain turned the tables by turning their press into a 3-on-2 situation in midfield. With the way France played, Mbappe had no qualms about admitting that the performance was not worthy of taking the team into the final.

“We kept finding ourselves outnumbered 3-on-2 in midfield,” Mbappe said. “And against Spain, that’s a real problem. When you put it all together, the result is a defeat. Our touches and movement were not worthy of a World Cup semi-final.”

“It was a dream for us to reach the final, to give our country the chance to keep dreaming and to make history,” he added.

READ | 34 Touches, 0 Shots On Target: Mbappe’s Horror Numbers As France Exit WC

The 27-year-old, who has scored 8 goals in this tournament, said that he now plans to go on holiday with his head held high before the club season with Real Madrid begins.

“Now, it is something we have to face with our heads held high. I believe that when you win, you win with your head held high; so when you lose, you have to lose with your head held high, too.”

“But right now, there is immense disappointment. I find it hard to put into words just how disappointed the squad and I are.”

“Yet even if it might seem a bit robotic at times, we have to pick ourselves up, go on holiday, and move on to the next chapter. Because football waits for no one. We have to start over, put this failure behind us, and learn from it.”

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