馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Messi in tears after Argentina's Round of 16 World Cup comeback victory against Egypt
via Punch Nigeria8 min read
Argentina captain Lionel Messi was visibly emotional, shedding tears after his country secured a 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the World Cup Round of 16. Argentina, the defending champions, were on the verge of elimination, trailing 0-2 in the 75th minute after Messi missed a penalty. However, they mounted a remarkable turnaround, with Cristian Romero scoring in the 79th minute, Messi equalizing in the 85th minute, and Enzo Fern谩ndez heading in the winner in stoppage time. A video circulating online shows Messi pumping his fists and crying after the final whistle, before being embraced by his teammates. Despite an earlier missed penalty, Messi played a crucial role in the revival, providing an assist and scoring to extend his record of goals in nine consecutive World Cups. This win propels Argentina into the quarter-finals.
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Naomi Osaka believes she can still win a fifth Grand Slam title, even after her Wimbledon quarter-final loss to Czech 10th seed Karolina Muchova. Osaka, who last won a major trophy at the 2021 Australian Open, had defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the last 16 at the All England Club. However, she was unable to replicate that performance, losing 7-6 7/4, 6-4 to Muchova. This defeat follows her loss to Amanda Anisimova in last year's US Open semi-finals. Osaka stated that her intention is always to win when playing a Slam and expressed disappointment with her Wimbledon performance, feeling she could have done more. Despite the loss, she sees the quarter-final appearance as a positive, marking her furthest advance at Wimbledon. Osaka, who took a break for mental health and later for childbirth, has been working to regain her top form, also reaching the French Open last 16 for the first time last month. She will now focus on the hard-court campaign, a surface where she has won all seven of her WTA titles, including her four Grand Slams.
BreakingThe body of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei arrived at Najaf International Airport in Iraq on Tuesday night, as reported by Iraqi state media. This precedes funeral processions in Iraq's holy cities, which are significant to Shia Muslims. Iran began six days of public funeral ceremonies for Khamenei on Saturday, with a dedicated day for neighboring Iraq. Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the Middle East war in US-Israeli strikes, is scheduled to be buried on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad in northeast Iran. Iraqi state TV broadcast the arrival of the Mahan Air flight carrying Khamenei's coffin, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had arrived earlier for the official Iraqi ceremony. Iraqi officials and senior politicians, including Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, were present to receive the remains. Iranian commander Esmail Qaani, who heads the Quds Force, was also in attendance. The Iraqi government declared Wednesday a public holiday, with processions set to begin at 06:00 am in Najaf. Mourners had started arriving in Najaf a day in advance for a six-kilometer procession culminating at the shrine of Imam Ali. After Najaf, Khamenei's body will be flown to Karbala for another procession ending at the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas.
Must ReadPresident Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC to investigate the activities of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council PFIPC. This directive, issued through the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, follows the discovery that the PFIPC is fictitious and was never established by the Federal Government. The President has given the anti-graft agency 30 days to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report. The probe will examine forged appointment letters, the use of false claims of presidential appointment to seek recognition and diplomatic support, and the opening of bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents. One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew is alleged to have falsely presented himself as the Director-General of this council. The investigation will also look into the broader circumstances that enabled the alleged scheme, including the provenance of false official documents, the process of obtaining official recognition or diplomatic support, the operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds, and the role of any individuals or entities involved. President Tinubu has also instructed the ICPC to identify weaknesses in government procedures and recommend preventative measures, and has directed all federal ministries, departments, and agencies to provide necessary assistance. The President emphasize