ISLAMABAD – Pakistan booked their place in the semifinals of the CAVA Men’s Volleyball Championship 2026 after defeating Uzbekistan in straight sets at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, on Sunday.

Backed by a lively home crowd, Pakistan secured a comfortable 25-13, 25-22, 25-18 victory to register their fourth consecutive win of the tournament and maintain their unbeaten record.

The hosts dominated the opening set with disciplined defending, effective blocking and powerful serving, leaving Uzbekistan with little room to respond.

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How the tide of the match shifted

Uzbekistan offered a stronger challenge in the second set and remained competitive for long periods. However, Pakistan held their nerve during the closing stages to establish a two-set advantage.

The home side regained complete control in the third set, producing another composed display to wrap up the match in straight sets and confirm their place in the last four.

The result lifted Pakistan to the top of the standings while extending an impressive run that has seen the team progress through the tournament without conceding a single set.

Elsewhere in the competition, Sri Lanka kept their semifinal hopes alive with a 25-22, 25-19, 25-20 victory over Kazakhstan.

Bangladesh also remained in contention after edging Nepal 3-2 in a closely fought five-set encounter.

Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob congratulated the players and coaching staff, praising their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the tournament.

He also appreciated the visiting teams for contributing to the successful organisation of the championship.

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Pakistan Volleyball Federation President

PVF President Sohail Khawar Mir lauded Pakistan’s consistent performances, saying the team had once again demonstrated why it remains among the strongest volleyball nations in the region.

Pakistan will conclude the league stage against Kazakhstan on Monday before shifting focus to the knockout rounds.

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Key points:

• Pakistan defeated Uzbekistan 3-0 to qualify for the CAVA Men’s Volleyball Championship 2026 semifinals.
• The hosts won 25-13, 25-22, 25-18 at Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad.
• Pakistan remain unbeaten after four consecutive victories without dropping a set.
• The victory moved Pakistan to the top of the standings ahead of their final league match.
• Pakistan will face Kazakhstan in their last group-stage fixture on Monday.

BUENOS AIRES – Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has revealed that captain Lionel Messi had planned to retire from international football following the FIFA World Cup final against Spain.

Speaking after Boca Juniors’ recent match, Paredes said Messi had already decided before the final that it would be his final appearance for Argentina. However, the midfielder expressed hope that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner would reconsider and continue representing the national team.

Paredes also disclosed that several members of Argentina’s World Cup squad are now evaluating their own international futures.

He said it would be difficult to recreate the same level of unity, consistency and success that the squad achieved during the past eight years.

Addressing criticism of Argentina’s World Cup campaign, Paredes dismissed conspiracy theories and said he does not pay attention to outside speculation.

The 32-year-old acknowledged that Spain deserved to win the World Cup final but maintained that Argentina enjoyed an outstanding tournament overall.

Reflecting on Argentina’s recent achievements, Paredes described the past eight years as an extraordinary period for the national team.

He said it had been a privilege to play alongside a group that delivered one of the most successful eras in Argentina’s football history and added that the players would likely appreciate their accomplishments even more in the years ahead.

Key points

• Leandro Paredes says Lionel Messi planned to retire after the FIFA World Cup final.
• Messi reportedly decided before the final that it would be his last match for Argentina.
• Paredes hopes the Argentina captain changes his mind and continues playing.
• Several Argentina players are also considering their international futures.
• Paredes rejected conspiracy theories surrounding Argentina’s World Cup campaign.
• He acknowledged Spain deserved to win the World Cup final.
• The midfielder described the past eight years as one of Argentina’s greatest football eras.

ISLAMABAD – Lionel Messi became the oldest outfield player to appear in a FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, although Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.

The Argentina captain was 39 years and 25 days old, surpassing the previous record held by Sweden’s Gunnar Gren, who was 37 years and 241 days when he featured in the 1958 World Cup final against Brazil.

Messi joins exclusive World Cup club

The Inter Miami forward also became only the second player in football history to appear in three FIFA World Cup finals. Messi reached the sport’s biggest match with Argentina in 2014, 2022 and 2026, matching the achievement of Brazilian legend Cafu, who featured in the finals of 1994, 1998 and 2002.

Spain denies Argentina back-to-back titles

Despite the historic milestone, Messi’s latest World Cup final ended in disappointment. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time as Spain secured a 1-0 victory, lifting their second FIFA World Cup title and preventing Argentina from successfully defending the trophy won in Qatar four years earlier.

Another milestone in a legendary career

The 2026 final came 12 years after Messi’s first World Cup final appearance in 2014, when Argentina lost to Germany, and four years after he lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022.

Although Argentina fell short in the final, Messi’s record-breaking appearance further strengthened his legacy as one of the greatest footballers in history.

His longevity at the highest level allowed him to rewrite another World Cup record while joining an exclusive group of players to have appeared in three finals.

Key points:

• Lionel Messi became the oldest outfield player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final.
• The Argentina captain was 39 years and 25 days old during the 2026 final.
• Messi surpassed Sweden’s Gunnar Gren, who set the previous record in 1958.
• The Inter Miami star also became only the second player to appear in three FIFA World Cup finals, alongside Brazil’s Cafu.
• Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the winner.
• Messi reached World Cup finals in 2014, 2022, and 2026, cementing his place among football’s greatest players.