Also known as: Defending champions Argentina
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
… Mexico were one of only three teams in the group phase to win all three of their matches, alongside France and Argentina, and did not concede a single goal. …
Mexico see off Ecuador to break 40 year World Cup curseThe Namibian
… Cameroon became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals, a feat which was classified as a legendary achievement highlighted by an opening win against defending champions Argentina. …
African football comes of age at 2026 World CupThe Namibian
… Alex Baena’s weak shot slipped through Muslera’s grasp for the only goal as Spain avoided a last-32 showdown against Argentina. …
Uruguay crash out of World Cup as Spain avoid Argentina clashThe Namibian
… England could potentially lie in wait in the quarter-finals, with Argentina seeded to be their opponents in the semi-final. …
Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group deciderThe Namibian
Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer on Monday to fire Argentina into the last 32 as France overcame weather chaos before advancing to the knockout rounds alongside Norway. …
Messi sets World Cup scoring record as stars outshine weatherThe Namibian
Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in World Cup history as the captain struck twice to give Argentina a 2-0 win over Austria on Monday and send the champions into the last 32. …
Magic Messi makes World Cup history to send Argentina into last 32The Namibian
… The contrast with Messi was stark, the 38-year-old having hit a hat-trick a day earlier to give defending champions Argentina a 3-0 win over Algeria. …
Important or selfish? World Cup evidence mounts against RonaldoNew Era
… by the GWP board brought together representatives from across Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and South America, prompting the president to remark that “the whole world is here.” The delegation included members from South Korea, Sweden, Scotland, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina …
NNN accepts global water responsibilityThe Namibian
… Portuguese great Ronaldo, 41, has a tough act to follow after his old nemesis Lionel Messi scored a spectacular hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal the all-time World Cup goalscoring record, making a mockery of his 38 years. …
England enter World Cup fray as Ronaldo makes historyThe Namibian
Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament’s joint all-time top scorer on Tuesday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria. …
Magical Messi equals World Cup goals record as Argentina winBayern Munich striker Harry Kane received his second European Golden Shoe after scoring the most goals in Europe's top divisions last season, with 36 in 31 Bundesliga games. Kane said his "best season ever" — during which he scored 73 goals for club and country — positions him to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane received his second European Golden Shoe after scoring the most goals in Europe's top divisions last season, with 36 in 31 Bundesliga games. Kane said his "best season ever" — during which he scored 73 goals for club and country — positions him to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Johannesburg, head coach Rassie Erasmus said Monday. Kolisi suffered a hamstring injury in Argentina this month, while Nche has not played since a knee injury in July.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
World champions South Africa withstood a late post-hooter attack from Argentina to win 17-10 in a Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday, extending their winning streak to 12 internationals. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said the game was tough preparation ahead of their upcoming series against New Zealand, though he suffered a hamstring injury that will require a scan.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah completed a transfer to Turkish club Trabzonspor on a two-year contract after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract. The 34-year-old Egyptian international will earn 17 million euros per season plus bonuses and a 20 percent share of jersey and merchandise revenue, described as a record for the Turkish league.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and New Zealand are undertaking an extended rugby tour that begins in Cape Town on Friday and concludes in the United States 12,700 kilometres away. From August 29 to September 12, the two world-ranked teams will play exclusive Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Baltimore, with the tour branded the 'Greatest Rivalry' and scheduled to occur every four years.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina's president Javier Milei called Brazil's president a "thief" and a "convict" at a campaign rally in São Paulo, prompting Brazil to recall its ambassador to Buenos Aires. Brazilian diplomats said Milei insulted Brazil's government, people, and democracy.
27 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina faced widespread criticism for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, with commentators describing their performance as "petty, petulant and distasteful." Argentines counter that they are passionate rather than arrogant, and say they are accustomed to being criticized.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain won the 48-team World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Spain's defensive strength—conceding only once in the tournament—and captain Rodri's play earned him player of the tournament honours over attacking superstars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and France top their respective tables after the southern hemisphere Tests in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere nations will visit the northern hemisphere in November to play three Tests apiece before a grand final at Twickenham on November 27-29.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday, with Ferran Torres scoring an extra-time winner in the 106th minute. The victory ended Lionel Messi's hopes for a triumphant farewell to international football.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa declares the expanded 48-team World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada a triumph, marked by thrilling football and strong performances from smaller nations including Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Egypt, who reached knockout rounds in record numbers.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England beat France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff as Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Both teams had reached the semi-finals but suffered exits — France were outplayed by Spain while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England rugby's No. 8 Ben Earl scored twice to guide England to a 31-24 victory over Argentina in the Nations Championship on Saturday, with a late Argentina try being ruled out after a television review. The match was marked by ill-discipline and tension stemming from Argentina's recent football World Cup victory over England.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France and England will play for the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze medal in Miami on Saturday, after both lost semi-final matches. France fell 2-0 to Spain, while England reached the third-place play-off after losing their semi-final.
18 July 2026 · Informanté →
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other in the World Cup final on Sunday, completing a remarkable two-decade arc: in 2007, a 20-year-old Messi posed with five-month-old Yamal for a Unicef calendar photo while both were at Barcelona, and both now appear in what is likely Messi's final World Cup.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina are one game away from becoming just the third team to successfully defend the World Cup, with European champions Spain standing in their way. The article examines how previous World Cup winners fared when they reached the final in the following tournament, including Italy (1938), Brazil (1962), and Argentina (1990).
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Debutant wing Jaco Williams scored a try and created another as South Africa beat Wales 43-0 in Durban to reclaim first place in the Nations Championship southern hemisphere standings on points difference, ahead of New Zealand.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina face off in a World Cup final on Sunday, with reigning champions Argentina seeking to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title, while Messi, aged 39, is likely playing his final World Cup match.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New Jersey Stadium, with Spain having defeated France 2-0 in the semi-finals and Argentina seeking to defend their 2022 title. The match will be the first time the two nations have met at a FIFA World Cup since 1966.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Spain and Argentina will face off in the FIFA World Cup final this weekend at New Jersey Stadium. The final will be the first meeting between the two nations at a World Cup since 1966, with Spain aiming to add to their World Cup titles and Argentina defending their 2022 triumph.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Thomas Tuchel came under fire from British media after England lost 2-1 to Argentina in their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, with criticism focused on his defensive substitutions that replaced attacking players with a five-man defence after England took a 1-0 lead.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Wales head coach Steve Tandy made six starting changes for the Nations Championship Test against world champions South Africa in Durban on Saturday, including a new centre partnership and alterations across the backline and forward pack. South Africa lead the table with 10 points from bonus-point victories over England and Scotland, while Wales have five points from two matches.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, with Lionel Messi setting up both Argentina goals in a second-half turnaround after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead. Captain Harry Kane said the team were "gutted" after working hard to reach the semi-finals.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Lautaro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute as Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi setting up both goals to send Argentina to the final against Spain.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain beat tournament favourites France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, to advance to Sunday's final where they will face either Argentina or England.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England and Argentina will meet in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the final on July 19. The match carries decades of rivalry, including a 1986 quarter-final encounter won by Argentina on goals from Diego Maradona, and takes place amid a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals are set: France will face Spain in Dallas on 14 July, while England play defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on 15 July, after dramatic quarter-final victories decided by 2-1 and 2-0 scores respectively.
13 July 2026 · Informanté →
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time in the World Cup quarter-final, with Julian Alvarez scoring a crucial goal in the 112th minute. The victory sets up a semi-final against England and keeps Argentina unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Jude Bellingham netted twice in extra-time to lead England past Norway 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final. England will face Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England play Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Friday with Kane and Haaland as their leading scorers; the winners will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →