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Trailing Argentina Sink England, March Into 2026 World Cup Final After Classic Comeback

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By Godspower Enuwa/Juliet Monday

Defending champions Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal on Wednesday, July 15, to book a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

The clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta renewed one of football’s fiercest rivalries, 24 years after the teams last met on the World Cup stage. It was also the first time Lionel Messi faced England in a World Cup match.

England struck first through Anthony Gordon, who finished an assist from Morgan Rogers to put the Three Lions ahead. 5482

Argentina responded in the second half. Midfielder Enzo Fernández equalized before Lautaro Martínez headed in the winner to send the Albiceleste through. The final score was recorded as England 1-2 Argentina.

England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, reached the last four after a 2-1 extra-time win over Norway. Jude Bellingham scored both goals, including a 93rd-minute winner.

READ ALSO: Spain Defeat France 2-0 To Reach 2026 FIFA World Cup Final

Bellingham and captain Harry Kane both entered the semifinal with six goals each, joint top for England in the tournament.

Argentina survived another scare in the quarterfinals, beating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez scored late to seal progress.

The defending champions remain unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup matches.

The semifinal featured the top four nations in the FIFA rankings. Messi leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, with Bellingham and Kane on six each.

READ ALSO: DELSU Unveils Plans For Modern Multi-Purpose Sports Complex

Speaking before the game, Messi said it was “special to face the big national teams” and acknowledged he had never played England before.

The rivalry carries decades of history, from Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986 to David Beckham’s red card against Diego Simeone in 1998.

With the win, Argentina advance to the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where they will face Spain.

England will play France in the third-place match on July 18 in Miami.

The result keeps Argentina’s bid for back-to-back World Cup titles alive, while England’s wait for a first final since their 1966 triumph continues.

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Abraka Metro

DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 Celebrates Creativity Despite Heavy Rainfall

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By Blessing Alumona and Miracle Akpoyovwvayire

The second edition of the DELSU Photo Festival was held on July 17, 2026, in front of the university Sports Complex. Although the programme was originally scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., persistent rainfall delayed the event until about 2:00 p.m. A large canopy was provided to shield participants from the rain, while lively music entertained students as they arrived at the venue.

The event opened on a cheerful note with comedy and light-hearted remarks by Professor Odion Odiboh, creating an exciting atmosphere despite the weather. This was followed by the official opening address delivered by Comrade Regina Egbiamiye, President of the Department of Journalism. After her remarks, the pageantry segment commenced, with contestants representing the Departments of Mass Communication, Journalism, and Broadcasting showcasing their confidence and creativity. At the same time, judges assessed students’ photography projects while music kept the audience entertained.

One of the highlights of the festival was an interactive question-and-answer session that actively involved students and kept the audience engaged. Student union representatives, departmental executives, lecturers, and students participated throughout the programme, contributing to its lively and memorable atmosphere.

Speaking after the event, Faith Ogbotor, a 200-level Journalism student, described the festival as enjoyable and memorable. She said that although the heavy rainfall affected the programme, it did not prevent participants from having a rewarding experience.

READ ALSO: Poor Maintenance Of Student Hostels Raises Concern In Abraka

Another participant, Tejiri Mathias, a Mass Communication student, also commended the event but expressed concerns about what he described as partiality during some of the games. He suggested that improvements could be made in future editions to ensure fairness.

The festival concluded with the announcement of winners from the three departments. Four students emerged as winners from the Department of Broadcasting, twelve from the Department of Journalism, and twenty-two from the Department of Mass Communication. Each department also selected three overall outstanding winners through a voting process, and the successful participants received awards in recognition of their performances.

The celebration ended with music, dancing, and the distribution of refreshments to students, lecturers, and student executives. The joyful atmosphere and shared moments of celebration brought the 2026 DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 to a successful and memorable conclusion for everyone in attendance.

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Abraka Metro

Mass Communication Students Display Talent In Football Match

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By Favour Otomewo

Students of the Department of Mass Communication at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, showcased their sporting talents during an exciting football match held at the university sports complex on June 25, 2026.

The friendly encounter, organised to promote unity and teamwork among students, attracted a large crowd of supporters from various departments. The match featured the Mass Communication team against a selected side from another department, with both teams displaying impressive skill, determination, and sportsmanship.

From the opening whistle, the game was fiercely contested as players battled for possession and created several scoring opportunities. The Mass Communication team took an early lead through a well-placed strike in the first half, sending their supporters into celebration.

The opposing team responded strongly after the break, equalising with a powerful shot that left the goalkeeper with little chance. However, the Mass Communication students maintained their composure and secured victory with a late goal, winning the match 2–1.

READ ALSO: Abraka Residents Advocate Entrepreneurship, Warn Against Gambling Amid Economic Hardship

Speaking after the game, the team captain, John Efe, praised his teammates for their commitment and teamwork, noting that the victory reflected the hard work they had put into their training sessions.

Students who attended the event described the match as entertaining and commended the organisers for creating an avenue for social interaction, healthy competition, and friendship among undergraduates.

The football encounter formed part of the department’s efforts to encourage student participation in sporting activities and strengthen relationships across departments within the university community.

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Entertainment

Domineering Spain Edge Argentina 1-0 In Extra Time To Clinch 2026 World Championship

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Spain are world champions again after Ferran Torres scored a late winner in extra time to defeat defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

The victory at MetLife Stadium, in front of 80,663 fans, gives La Roja their second World Cup title, 16 years after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.

Argentina, bidding to become the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back titles, were reduced to 10 men late in regulation.

After 90 minutes ended goalless, the match turned in the closing minutes of normal time when Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card following a tackle on Pau Cubarsi.

With the numerical advantage, Spain broke through late in extra time.

Ferran Torres slammed home to put Spain ahead with minutes remaining, sealing a 1-0 win and sparking wild celebrations from the Spanish bench.

Spain reached the final with a composed 2-0 semi-final victory over France in Dallas, extending a run that has seen them concede just one goal all tournament.

Argentina advanced with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi assisting both goals in the 85th and 91st minutes.

The final marked the first ever World Cup decider between the reigning world champions and the current European champions, and pitted the tournament’s top-ranked teams.

It also featured a generational duel between 39-year-old Messi, who finished with 8 goals in the tournament, and 19-year-old Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Spain are now two-time world champions after winning in 2010. The Spanish women are also reigning world champions, having beaten England in 2023.

Argentina, champions in 1978, 1986 and 2022, fall just short in their bid for a fourth title. Messi was chasing a second straight World Cup after leading Argentina to glory in Qatar.

The match was played at New York New Jersey Stadium, home of the NFL’s Giants and Jets, and was broadcast live on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish in the U.S.

The final also featured FIFA’s first-ever World Cup halftime show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

With the 2026 tournament, the first expanded to 48 teams, concluding in New Jersey, Spain leave as champions — and Argentina as runners-up in a final that lived up to its billing as a clash of Europe vs South America.


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