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FIFA World Cup 2026: Ekitike will miss tournament with injury, confirms France boss Deschamps Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, his national team coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday.The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon during the first half of Liverpool’s 2-0 quarterfinal second-leg defeat to European champions PSG on Tuesday.“Unfortunately, the severity of (Ekitike’s) injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and taking part in the World Cup,” Deschamps said in a statement released by the French Football Federation.“This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team. I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire coaching staff.”Ekitike has scored 17 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield for a fee of 79 million pounds (USD 105.5 million) last summer.Since winning his first France cap in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Ekitike has been a regular in Les Bleus’ set-up, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his eight caps.“It looks really bad, but difficult for me to say how bad,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said after Tuesday’s match.Injuries have been a major factor in a disastrous season for Liverpool as it sits fifth in the Premier League and will end the campaign without silverware.“Losing a player is something we have had many times this season, but it is especially hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially at this time of the season,” added Slot.Published on Apr 16, 2026 #FIFA #World #Cup #Ekitike #tournament #injury #confirms #France #boss #Deschamps

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ekitike will miss tournament with injury, confirms France boss Deschamps

Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, his national team coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday.

The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon during the first half of Liverpool’s 2-0 quarterfinal second-leg defeat to European champions PSG on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, the severity of (Ekitike’s) injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and taking part in the World Cup,” Deschamps said in a statement released by the French Football Federation.

“This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team. I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire coaching staff.”

Ekitike has scored 17 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield for a fee of 79 million pounds (USD 105.5 million) last summer.

Since winning his first France cap in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Ekitike has been a regular in Les Bleus’ set-up, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his eight caps.

“It looks really bad, but difficult for me to say how bad,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said after Tuesday’s match.

Injuries have been a major factor in a disastrous season for Liverpool as it sits fifth in the Premier League and will end the campaign without silverware.

“Losing a player is something we have had many times this season, but it is especially hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially at this time of the season,” added Slot.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Ekitike #tournament #injury #confirms #France #boss #Deschamps

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Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, his national team coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday.

The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon during the first half of Liverpool’s 2-0 quarterfinal second-leg defeat to European champions PSG on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, the severity of (Ekitike’s) injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and taking part in the World Cup,” Deschamps said in a statement released by the French Football Federation.

“This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team. I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire coaching staff.”

Ekitike has scored 17 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield for a fee of 79 million pounds (USD 105.5 million) last summer.

Since winning his first France cap in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Ekitike has been a regular in Les Bleus’ set-up, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his eight caps.

“It looks really bad, but difficult for me to say how bad,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said after Tuesday’s match.

Injuries have been a major factor in a disastrous season for Liverpool as it sits fifth in the Premier League and will end the campaign without silverware.

“Losing a player is something we have had many times this season, but it is especially hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially at this time of the season,” added Slot.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

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Deadspin | Blackhawks score five straight to beat Sharks in season finale <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28739193.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28739193.jpg" alt="NHL: San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Greene (20) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Louis Crevier scored two third-period goals, and the Chicago Blackhawks scored five straight to rally for a 5-2 win against the visiting San Jose Sharks in their season finale on Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Sam Rinzel, Ryan Greene, and Nick Lardis also scored, Connor Bedard had two assists, and Spencer Knight made 15 saves for the Blackhawks (29-39-14, 72 points), who had lost four in a row and nine of 10.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Mario Ferraro and Michael Misa scored, Kiefer Sherwood had two assists, and Yaroslav Askarov made 19 saves and turned away a penalty shot for the Sharks (38-35-8, 84 points), who have lost four of five.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Crevier scored off a backhand cross-ice pass from Bedard to tie it 2-2 at 3:51 of the third.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Greene scored backdoor off a feed from Ethan Del Mastro to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead at 8:35.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Crevier scored again with a slap shot from just inside the blue line to make it 4-2 at 10:32.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Bedard got another assist with a backhand pass to Lardis for a one-timer that made it 5-2 at 14:44.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Knight appeared to make the initial save on a shot by Ferraro, but the rebound went off the skate of Del Mastro and across the goal line to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 8:09 of the first period.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>After Askarov stopped Ilya Mikheyev on a penalty shot with 3:38 left in the first period, the Sharks thought they extended the lead to 2-0 on a goal by Tyler Toffoli early in the second period, but Chicago challenged for offsides and the goal was waived off following a video review.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The Sharks scored at 5:17 of the second when Misa tried to pass the puck to the front of the crease from the side of the net, but it went off the stick blade of Del Mastro, off his arm, and between the pads of Knight to make it 2-0.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Chicago started the comeback when Askarov gave up a bad goal with 30 seconds left in the second period.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Rinzel took a sharp-angle shot from just above the goal line and the puck slipped through his pads to cut it to 2-1.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>The Sharks conclude their season on Thursday at the Winnipeg Jets.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Blackhawks #score #straight #beat #Sharks #season #finale

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Deadspin | Argentina’s Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goals record vs. Austria June 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Lionel Messi added to his legacy Monday afternoon by scoring his record-breaking 17th career World Cup goal in the first half of Argentina’s match vs. Austria in Arlington, Texas, breaking a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, scored the historic goal on a first-touch left-footed strike from just inside the 18-yard box in the 38th minute off an assist from Facundo Medina. Messi, who became one of the first two players to appear in six World Cups last week alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, entered this summer’s event three goals behind Klose. Behind his first career World Cup hat trick in the Group J opener vs. Algeria on June 16, he pulled even entering the second group-stage match. He appeared destined to break the record approximately 30 minutes earlier when Lautaro Martinez was tackled in the box and Argentina was awarded a penalty kick. However, Messi missed the ensuing penalty kick wide of the right post in the ninth minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Argentinas #Lionel #Messi #breaks #World #Cup #goals #record #Austria June 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi added to his legacy Monday afternoon by scoring his record-breaking 17th career World Cup goal in the first half of Argentina’s match vs. Austria in Arlington, Texas, breaking a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, scored the historic goal on a first-touch left-footed strike from just inside the 18-yard box in the 38th minute off an assist from Facundo Medina.


Messi, who became one of the first two players to appear in six World Cups last week alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, entered this summer’s event three goals behind Klose. Behind his first career World Cup hat trick in the Group J opener vs. Algeria on June 16, he pulled even entering the second group-stage match.

He appeared destined to break the record approximately 30 minutes earlier when Lautaro Martinez was tackled in the box and Argentina was awarded a penalty kick. However, Messi missed the ensuing penalty kick wide of the right post in the ninth minute.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Argentinas #Lionel #Messi #breaks #World #Cup #goals #record #Austria">Deadspin | Argentina’s Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goals record vs. Austria June 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Lionel Messi added to his legacy Monday afternoon by scoring his record-breaking 17th career World Cup goal in the first half of Argentina’s match vs. Austria in Arlington, Texas, breaking a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, scored the historic goal on a first-touch left-footed strike from just inside the 18-yard box in the 38th minute off an assist from Facundo Medina. Messi, who became one of the first two players to appear in six World Cups last week alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, entered this summer’s event three goals behind Klose. Behind his first career World Cup hat trick in the Group J opener vs. Algeria on June 16, he pulled even entering the second group-stage match. He appeared destined to break the record approximately 30 minutes earlier when Lautaro Martinez was tackled in the box and Argentina was awarded a penalty kick. However, Messi missed the ensuing penalty kick wide of the right post in the ninth minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Argentinas #Lionel #Messi #breaks #World #Cup #goals #record #Austria

Kylian Mbappé is just 27 years old.

But the French superstar is embarking on his third World Cup, and his latest run at glory begins later today as France takes on Senegal. And when they do, Mbappé’s prodigious track record has the forward on the cusp of several records on the sport’s biggest stage.

Here is every national and international record Mbappé can break at this year’s World Cup.

Update Monday June 22: Mbappé scored early against Iraq to continue his march up the record books.

Previous: With this goal against Senegal, Mbappé has now moved up in several of these categories:

Update: Mbappé’s second goal against Senegal has moved him to the top of two different records for France.

French national records Mbappé can break at the 2026 World Cup

Mbappé is on the verge of breaking several national records at the 2026 World Cup.

French National Team record goals

Mbappé enters the 2026 World Cup just one goal behind Olivier Giroud for the French National Team:

  • Kylian Mbappé: 59 Goals
  • Olivier Giroud: 57 Goals
  • Thierry Henry: 51 Goals
  • Antoine Griezmann: 44 Goals
  • Michel Platini: 41 Goals

With just one goal, Mbappé would match Giroud atop the French record books, and a pair of goals would put Mbappé at the top of the list.

Update Monday June 22: Mbappé‘s goal against Iraq moved him two clear of Giroud on this list.

Previous: Mbappé’s first goal against Senegal pulled him level with Giroud with 57 goals for the French National Team. His second moved him to the top.

French National Team World Cup goals

In addition to becoming France’s all-time leading goal scorer, Mbappé can become the nation’s top goal scorer in World Cup matches this year. Just Fontaine currently holds that mark, as the French legend scored a stunning 13 goals in just six matches at the 1958 World Cup, a record that still stands for goals in a single tournament.

Here is where Mbappé stands on that list:

  • Kylian Mbappé: 15 Goals
  • Just Fontaine: 13 Goals
  • Thierry Henry: 6 Goals
  • Zinedine Zidane: 5 Goals
  • Michel Platini: 5 Goals
  • Olivier Giroud: 5 Goals

Update: Mbappé’ first goal against Senegal pulled him level with Fontaine with 13 World Cup goals for France. His second moved him to the top of the pile.

International records Mbappé can break at the 2026 World Cup

In addition to the French records Mbappé can break at the 2026 World Cup, he can also break some international records at the 2026 World Cup, or even add to one that he already holds.

With another standout run of play, Mbappé could become the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history.

Currently, that record is held by Miroslav Klose from Germany, who tops the list with 16 goals. Klose is followed by Ronaldo (15), Gerd Müller (14), and Lionel Messi, who is chasing that mark as well as he enters play with 13 World Cup goals on his legendary resume.

Here is where Mbappé stands on that list:

  • Lionel Messi: 18 Goals
  • Miroslav Klose: 16 Goals
  • Ronaldo: 15 Goals
  • Kylian Mbappé: 15 Goals
  • Gerd Müller: 14 Goals
  • Just Fontaine: 13 Goals
  • Pelé: 12 Goals

Update Monday June 22: Messi’s brace against Austria pulled him to the top of this list, but Mbappé‘s goal against Iraq pulled the French star level with Ronaldo for third all-time.

Previously: With his goal against Senegal, Mbappé now has 13 World Cup goals, putting him level with Just Fontaine and Lionel Messi. His second pulled him ahead of that pair, and level with Gerd Müller.

Messi’s hat trick against Algeria has moved him level with Miroslav Klose on this list.

All-Time World Cup Finals Goals

This is one record Mbappé already holds.

He could theoretically add to it this year.

Mbappé scored one goal in the 2018 World Cup Finals, when France defeated Croatia 4-2. He scored three more goals during the 2022 Finals, when France lost to Messi and Argentina on penalties.

Here is the list of all-time goal scorers in the World Cup Finals:

  • Kylian Mbappé: 4 Goals
  • Geoff Hurst: 3 Goals
  • Vavá: 3 Goals
  • Pelé: 3 Goals
  • Zinedine Zidane: 3 Goals
  • Gino Colaussi: 2 Goals
  • Silvio Piola: 2 Goals
  • Helmut Rahn: 2 Goals
  • Mario Kempes: 2 Goals
  • Paul Breitner: 2 Goals
  • Ronaldo: 2 Goals
  • Lionel Messi: 2 Goals

In the history of the World Cup, no player has won the Golden Boot twice.

Mbappé could change that this year.

The French star won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, thanks to the eight goals he scored in France’s run to the Finals. But if he were to win the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup, he would become the first player in the over 90-year history of the World Cup to secure that honor twice.

#record #Kylian #Mbappé #break #World #Cup">Every record Kylian Mbappé can break at the 2026 World Cup Kylian Mbappé is just 27 years old.But the French superstar is embarking on his third World Cup, and his latest run at glory begins later today as France takes on Senegal. And when they do, Mbappé’s prodigious track record has the forward on the cusp of several records on the sport’s biggest stage.Here is every national and international record Mbappé can break at this year’s World Cup.Update Monday June 22: Mbappé scored early against Iraq to continue his march up the record books.Previous: With this goal against Senegal, Mbappé has now moved up in several of these categories:Update: Mbappé’s second goal against Senegal has moved him to the top of two different records for France.French national records Mbappé can break at the 2026 World CupMbappé is on the verge of breaking several national records at the 2026 World Cup.French National Team record goalsMbappé enters the 2026 World Cup just one goal behind Olivier Giroud for the French National Team:Kylian Mbappé: 59 GoalsOlivier Giroud: 57 GoalsThierry Henry: 51 GoalsAntoine Griezmann: 44 GoalsMichel Platini: 41 GoalsWith just one goal, Mbappé would match Giroud atop the French record books, and a pair of goals would put Mbappé at the top of the list.Update Monday June 22: Mbappé‘s goal against Iraq moved him two clear of Giroud on this list.Previous: Mbappé’s first goal against Senegal pulled him level with Giroud with 57 goals for the French National Team. His second moved him to the top.French National Team World Cup goalsIn addition to becoming France’s all-time leading goal scorer, Mbappé can become the nation’s top goal scorer in World Cup matches this year. Just Fontaine currently holds that mark, as the French legend scored a stunning 13 goals in just six matches at the 1958 World Cup, a record that still stands for goals in a single tournament.Here is where Mbappé stands on that list:Kylian Mbappé: 15 GoalsJust Fontaine: 13 GoalsThierry Henry: 6 GoalsZinedine Zidane: 5 GoalsMichel Platini: 5 GoalsOlivier Giroud: 5 GoalsUpdate: Mbappé’ first goal against Senegal pulled him level with Fontaine with 13 World Cup goals for France. His second moved him to the top of the pile.International records Mbappé can break at the 2026 World CupIn addition to the French records Mbappé can break at the 2026 World Cup, he can also break some international records at the 2026 World Cup, or even add to one that he already holds.With another standout run of play, Mbappé could become the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history.Currently, that record is held by Miroslav Klose from Germany, who tops the list with 16 goals. Klose is followed by Ronaldo (15), Gerd Müller (14), and Lionel Messi, who is chasing that mark as well as he enters play with 13 World Cup goals on his legendary resume.Here is where Mbappé stands on that list:Lionel Messi: 18 GoalsMiroslav Klose: 16 GoalsRonaldo: 15 GoalsKylian Mbappé: 15 GoalsGerd Müller: 14 GoalsJust Fontaine: 13 GoalsPelé: 12 GoalsUpdate Monday June 22: Messi’s brace against Austria pulled him to the top of this list, but Mbappé‘s goal against Iraq pulled the French star level with Ronaldo for third all-time.Previously: With his goal against Senegal, Mbappé now has 13 World Cup goals, putting him level with Just Fontaine and Lionel Messi. His second pulled him ahead of that pair, and level with Gerd Müller.Messi’s hat trick against Algeria has moved him level with Miroslav Klose on this list.All-Time World Cup Finals GoalsThis is one record Mbappé already holds.He could theoretically add to it this year.Mbappé scored one goal in the 2018 World Cup Finals, when France defeated Croatia 4-2. He scored three more goals during the 2022 Finals, when France lost to Messi and Argentina on penalties.Here is the list of all-time goal scorers in the World Cup Finals:Kylian Mbappé: 4 GoalsGeoff Hurst: 3 GoalsVavá: 3 GoalsPelé: 3 GoalsZinedine Zidane: 3 GoalsGino Colaussi: 2 GoalsSilvio Piola: 2 GoalsHelmut Rahn: 2 GoalsMario Kempes: 2 GoalsPaul Breitner: 2 GoalsRonaldo: 2 GoalsLionel Messi: 2 GoalsIn the history of the World Cup, no player has won the Golden Boot twice.Mbappé could change that this year.The French star won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, thanks to the eight goals he scored in France’s run to the Finals. But if he were to win the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup, he would become the first player in the over 90-year history of the World Cup to secure that honor twice. #record #Kylian #Mbappé #break #World #Cup

Argentina’s Lionel Messi scores their second goal against Austria. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

elcome to Sporstar’s live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria in Dallas. Both the teams come into the game after wins over Algeria and Jordan, respectively.

Argentina, the defending world champion, got off to a disappointing start when its captain Lionel Messi missed a penalty. He made amends before the break when he rattled the net with a brilliant left-footed strike to put his team ahead. 

Argentina Starting XI: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Thiago Almada

Austria Starting XI: Alexander Schlager; Kevin Danso, Stefan Posch, David Alaba; Nicolas Seiwald, Xaver Schlager; Romano Schmid, Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, Paul Wanner; Michael Gregoritsch

#Argentina #Austria #Highlights #FIFA #World #Cup #Messi #scores #Argentina #enters #knockouts">Argentina vs Austria Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 — Messi scores twice as Argentina enters knockouts Argentina’s Lionel Messi scores their second goal against Austria. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Argentina’s Lionel Messi scores their second goal against Austria. | Photo Credit: REUTERS elcome to Sporstar’s live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria in Dallas. Both the teams come into the game after wins over Algeria and Jordan, respectively.Argentina, the defending world champion, got off to a disappointing start when its captain Lionel Messi missed a penalty. He made amends before the break when he rattled the net with a brilliant left-footed strike to put his team ahead. Argentina Starting XI: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Thiago AlmadaAustria Starting XI: Alexander Schlager; Kevin Danso, Stefan Posch, David Alaba; Nicolas Seiwald, Xaver Schlager; Romano Schmid, Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, Paul Wanner; Michael Gregoritsch #Argentina #Austria #Highlights #FIFA #World #Cup #Messi #scores #Argentina #enters #knockouts

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