Photo Webdesk

Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM played out a goalless draw in the first leg of the Liga MX 2025-26 Clausura final at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, Mexico City, on Thursday (May 21, 2026). Azul, the dominant side in this rivalry with 31 wins in their previous 65 meetings, expectedly enjoyed a lion's share of possession and also led in other metrics. However, despite having two dozen attempts with four on target, the nine-time champions were left frustrated. For the Pumas, veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas was the standout performer. The second leg will be played on Sunday, May 24, at Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Mexico City. The winners of the Cruz Azul vs Pumas UNAM clash will face Apertura champions Toluca in the Campeon de Campeones -- a ceremonial, one-off showdown to decide the absolute national champion -- on July 25, six days after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

A Fernando Zampedri brace helped Universidad Catolica beat Barcelona SC in a crucial CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2026, Group D match at Claro Arena, Santiago, on Thursday (May 21). After a cagey first half, the 38-year-old Argentine scored in the 77th and 84th minutes to set up the Chilean side's third win in five matches. With 10 points, Los Cruzados occupy the top spot, ahead of Brazil's Cruzeiro (8) and Argentina's Boca Juniors (7). Barcelona, the record 16-time Ecuadorian champions, are fourth with three points. The top two teams will qualify for the Libertadores round of 16, while the third-placed team will be transferred to the Copa Sudamericana, South America's second-tier competition. The final matchday group fixtures -- Boca Juniors vs Universidad Catolica and Cruzeiro vs Barcelona -- are scheduled for May 28, 2026.

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

Find today's news in pics from India and around the world for May 22, 2026

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

A towering 31-foot-tall statue of Brazilian football legend Pele was unveiled in the Mexican city of Guadalajara on Thursday ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Jalisco governor Pablo Lemus was present during the unveiling of the statue. The giant monument, which stands in Plaza Brazil outside Jalisco Stadium, is a tribute to Pele's achievements and legacy with the Brazil national team and his historic connection to the city, having played at the venue during the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Pele won the title that year – one of the three World Cup trophies in his cabinet. The former Santos forward died in 2022 at the age of 82.

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

East Bengal's 2-1 comeback win over Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Thursday earned the Kolkata giants their maiden Indian Super League trophy, sparking a wave of celebration from their fans across the city. Mohammed Rashid's 72nd-minute goal sealed the turnaround for the Red and Gold Brigade, marking their first national league title in over two decades. After the final whistle, the 8,000-strong East Bengal fans turned the small Kishore Bharati Stadium into a cauldron of euphoria. The supporters overcame the barricades and rushed onto the pitch, celebrating with the players and hoisting manager Oscar Bruzon aloft. Security failed to contain the fans, who waved flags and lit flares amid a wave of red and gold. The players finally lifted the ISL trophy on the VIP balcony, facing the joyous supporters.

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

East Bengal clinched their maiden Indian Super League title with a 2-1 comeback win over Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday. Needing a win to stay ahead of Mohun Bagan in the points table, East Bengal went a goal down in the 14th minute after Albert Planas scored from a David Bollo assist. The Red and Gold Brigade regrouped and fought back after the break, with Golden Boot winner Youssef Ezzejjari equalising in the 49th minute after capitalising on a mistake at the back. Mohammed Rashid then flicked in Bipin Singh's cross in the 72nd minute to complete the turnaround, with East Bengal holding off late pressure from Kashi. The victory kept East Bengal at the summit on goal difference above Mohun Bagan, making them the ISL champions.

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia completed a double over Venezuelan Deportivo La Guaira with a 4-2 win in their CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2026, Group C return leg at Estadio Olimpico de la UCV, Caracas, on Thursday (May 21). Alex Arce scored his second hat-trick of the tie, while Sebastian Villa added one. The fast-rising 'Azul' previously stunned Brazilian giants Fluminense: 2-1 at Maracana and 1-1 at home. Having already qualified for the knockouts, the debutants from Mendoza will look to keep their unbeaten streak intact when they face second-place Bolivar (5 points) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Alfredo Berti's men have 13 points from five matches. Meanwhile, Fluminense (5) face winless Deportivo (3) on the final matchday. The top two teams will qualify for the round of 16.

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

A complete team performance helped the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-93 in Game 2 of their NBA 2026 Playoffs, Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on Thursday (May 21). Trailing 24-27 in the first quarter, the Knicks owned the remaining passages of play (29-22, 32-21, 24-23), including an 18-0 scoring run in the third. The Knicks' starting lineup combined for 96 points, with Joe Hart scoring a playoff career-high 26 points besides contributing with four rebounds and seven assists. Game 1 hero Jalen Brunson had a playoff career-high 14 assists while Josh Hart scored 26 points. For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell finished with 26 points. With a 2-0 lead in the series, the Knicks are now two wins away from making the finals. They won the opener 115-104 in overtime. Game 3 is scheduled for May 23 at Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH. In the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs are locked 1-1.

BY Photo Webdesk 22 May 2026

Gujarat Titans (GT) thrashed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 89 runs to seal a place in Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala on May 26. After being put in to bat first, GT posted a massive 229/4 in 20 overs on the back of scintillating half-centuries by skipper Shubman Gill (64), Sai Sudharsan (84) and Jos Buttler (57). In reply, CSK batted at a brisk pace but kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for 140 in 13.2 overs to lose the match by 89 runs. With this loss, CSK become the third team to officially get eliminated from IPL 2026.

BY Photo Webdesk 21 May 2026

Germany’s 26-man roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026 mixes veteran star power with an exciting new generation talent. Headlining the squad is 40-year-old legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who shockingly comes out of international retirement to reclaim the No. 1 spot over qualifying standout Oliver Baumann.  Captain Joshua Kimmich guides a balanced defensive unit alongside vice-captain Antonio Rudiger. In midfield, 18-year-old prodigy Lennart Karl secures a sensational inclusion next to elite creators Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. The attacking frontline relies heavily on Arsenal's Premier League champion Kai Havertz, flanked by Galatasaray’s Leroy Sane. Notably absent from Julian Nagelsmann's final team are the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen and forward Niclas Fullkrug.

BY Photo Webdesk 21 May 2026