Batshuayi fires Belgium to World Cup win over Canada

Michy Batshuayi’s first-half goal proved enough for a below-par Belgium to squeeze to a 1-0 win over a Canada side playing their first World Cup match for 36 years on Wednesday.

Germany shocked by Japan after World Cup armband protest

Japan produced a stunning late comeback to shock Germany in their World Cup opener on Wednesday after the four-time champions staged a powerful protest against FIFA’s refusal to allow rainbow-themed armbands.

Solid Morocco hold Modric’s Croatia at World Cup

Morocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of the World Cup on Wednesday, producing a spirited display against the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric.

Giroud equals Henry record as World Cup holders France sink Australia

Olivier Giroud joined Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading goalscorer with a brace as the holders roared back to beat Australia 4-1 and get their defence of the World Cup off to a flying start Tuesday.

Poland’s Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Robert Lewandowski suffered fresh World Cup misery as the Poland striker’s penalty was saved by Guillermo Ochoa in a 0-0 draw against Mexico on Tuesday.

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen’s Denmark at World Cup

Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw in their World Cup opener on Tuesday, kicking off their Group D campaign with a strong performance against one of the pre-tournament dark horses.

Saudi Arabia defeats Argentina in shock World Cup upset

Saudi Arabia defeated footballing giants Argentina during the pair’s first match at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday, in an upset praised throughout the Arab world.

Sri Lankan rugby still has a lot to offer to Asia and world – AR President

Qais Al-Dhalai, the President of Asia Rugby in an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily Mirror’ elaborated on the vision, path, process and role administered by the regional body in ensuring the development and spread of the game.

Bale to the rescue as Wales snatch US draw on World Cup return

Gareth Bale rescued Wales with a late penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw with the United States in their World Cup Group B clash on Monday in Qatar.

Netherlands strike late to beat Senegal on World Cup return

Late goals by Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen gave the Netherlands a 2-0 victory over African champions Senegal on Monday as the three-time beaten finalists made their return to the World Cup stage.

Saka and Bellingham sparkle as England crush Iran

England made a scintillating start to their World Cup campaign as Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham inspired a 6-2 rout of outclassed Iran in Monday’s Group B opener in Doha.

England launch bid for World Cup glory after Qatar slump to defeat

European heavyweights England and the Netherlands launch their World Cup campaigns on Monday as the tournament in Qatar shifts into a higher gear after a dispiriting defeat for the hosts.

Qatar first World Cup hosts to lose opener with Ecuador defeat

Qatar became the first home team to lose their opening World Cup match as Ecuador cruised to a 2-0 victory over the hosts, with Enner Valencia scoring twice in the tournament curtain-raiser on Sunday.

Verstappen wins season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Vettel retires with a point

Two-time world champion Max Verstappen claimed a record-extending 15th win this year with a ’’sublime’’ performance for Red Bull in Sunday’s tight and strategic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Sebastian Vettel headed into retirement with a point.

SLC launch T10 League for both Men and Women

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officially launched the ‘Lanka T10’; a franchise league set to be contested in a 10 overs per side format, at a media briefing held in Colombo on Sunday.

CCC retain Major Club title, complete three-peat

CCC, led by Ashan Priyanjan, put in a gallant fightback in a high-scoring Major Club Cricket final to record a first-innings win over Tamil Union at the SSC ground on Sunday to clinch the title.

Qatar faces acid test in World Cup opener after 12 years of spending

Qatar will finally get their home World Cup under way on Sunday, 12 years after the nation’s successful bid put into motion wide-ranging preparations which cost billions of dollars.

Court orders Arjuna to pay Rs.25 million compensation to Thilanga

The Mount Lavinia Civil Appellate High Court has ordered Chairman of the National Sports Council and former Sri Lanka Test Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranatunga to pay a compensation of Rs. 25 million to former Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala.

Vijitha Fernando and Sports in Sri Lanka

The DailyMirror wishes to recognise the immense contribution to Sri Lankan sports journalism made by its former journalist Vijitha Fernando who passed away last Saturday.

Isuru Udana stars on day two for Tamil Union

Isuru Udana cracked a quick-fire 72-ball knock of 88, inclusive of eight boundaries and three sixes, as he helped Tamil Union to a formidable score of 558 runs on day two of the Major Club cricket final played at the SSC ground.

Danushka Gunathilaka granted bail on sexual assault charges

Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been granted bail on sexual assault charges after a court heard he had the support of the Sri Lankan cricket association and government and a surety of $150,000 was offered.

IPL: Chameera released; Rajapaksa, Hasaranga, Theekshana and Pathirana retained

Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera was released by the Indian Premier League franchise the Lucknow Super Giants, as the eight teams released their lists of players retained ahead of December’s Player Auction.

Column: Buttler’s boys redefining T20 cricket

Jos Buttler and co lifted the T20 World Cup on Sunday after beating Pakistan in the grand finale that came to an end at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

World Cup countdown enters final week with Qatar under microscope

The week-long countdown to the World Cup in Qatar began on Monday as the world’s leading footballers focused their attention on one of the most controversial tournaments in history.

Buttler’s world champions England can go from ’strength to strength’

Jos Buttler is reticent to call England one of the best white-ball teams ever, but the captain is confident there is more to come to cement their status as all-time greats.

Russell wins first grand prix in Brazil, Hamilton second

George Russell claimed his first Formula One victory as he won the Brazilian GP at Interlagos on Sunday with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton second.

Sri Lanka women’s rugby team captain missing in Korea

The captain of the Sri Lanka women’s rugby team, Dulani Pallekondage, who has come to South Korea to participate in the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, has gone missing after the tournament.

Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2022 : Sri Lanka finish fourth

Sri Lanka had to settle for fourth place in the second leg of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series 2022 after losing 24-07 to the Philippines in the match for third place. Sri Lanka got off to a bright start but suffered some setbacks in the last half of the match due to the aggressive playing style of the Filipino players.

’Still proud’ Pakistan mourns T20 World Cup defeat

Hunched over phones, packed into heaving grandstands, and crowded around restaurant TVs, cricket-crazed Pakistanis suffered collective heartbreak on Sunday as they watched their team go down to England in the Twenty20 World Cup final.

Buttler lauds Stokes as ’one of the greats’ as England win T20 World Cup

England skipper Jos Buttler hailed Ben Stokes as ’’a true match-winner’’ Sunday after the allrounder’s unbeaten 52 helped steer them past Pakistan to win the Twenty20 World Cup.