TCS World 10k elite men’s winer Rodrigue Kwizera in Bengaluru on Sunday, 26 April, 2026.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Former Spanish Minister of Transport Jose Luis Abalos leaves the Supreme Court following his appearance for alleged corruption in Madrid. File.
| Photo Credit: AFP

The Indian men’s hockey team made a brilliant comeback to down Spain 2-0 in a return leg match of the FIH Pro League in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. India lost to Spain 1-3 in the first match of the leg on Saturday despite taking the lead through Sukhjeet Singh’s goal. On Sunday, however, it was a completely different looking Indian side as it dominated for most part of the match and scored two field goals through Mandeep Singh (32nd minute) and Dilpreet Singh (39th) to pocket full three points. India will next play Germany on Tuesday.

It was India who enjoyed the better share of ball possession and created more chances in the first two quarters but failed to capitalise those into goals.

India had the first chance in the fifth minute when Mandeep got a golden opportunity inside the circle, but the Spanish keeper Rafael Rivilla made a solid save to deny the Indian striker.

Seconds from the end of the first quarter, India earned back-to-back penalty corners, but Jugraj Singh faltered.

India custodian Krishan Bahadur Pathak made a fine save to deny Spain their first shot on goal in the 14th minute.

India dominated possession and pressed hard in the first two quarters, but failed to breach a resolute Spanish defence as both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half.

Two minutes after the change of ends, India secured another penalty corner but Spanish goalkeeper Revilla made double save to deny Jugraj.

But from the resultant free hit, Mandeep neatly deflected in Dilpreet’s pass from close range to hand India the lead.

Seven minutes later, Dilpreet scored his 32nd goal for India with a brilliant deflection after being set up by Mandeep and Gurjant Singh.

In the 43rd minute, Spain earned a penalty corner but their dragflicker Pepe Cunill missed the target.

India also got a penalty corner soon but Jugraj misfired again.

Trailing by two goals, Spain pressed on the accelerator, earning a couple of penalty corners in the final quarter but the Indian defence stood tall in the absence of skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who was rested for the game.

Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s hockey team fought back twice before going down 1-2 in shoot-out against England after both the teams finished 2-2 in regulation time.

Paige Gillot (40th minute) and Tessa Howard (56th) scored from two penalty corners for England in the regulation timer, while India’s goals came from Navneet Kaur (53rd) and Rutuja Dadoso Pisal (57th). Kaur scored off a penalty stroke while Rutuja struck a field goal.

In the shoot-out, only Navneet scored for India while the likes of skipper Salima Tete, Sunelita Toppo and Lalremsiami faltered.

For England, Lily Walker and skipper Sophie Hamilton were on target in the shoot-out.

The win gave England a bonus point. India had earlier defeated England 3-2 in the first leg here on Saturday.

The Indian women will next play Spain on Tuesday.

England started on an aggressive note, dominating the early exchanges. They enjoyed the ball possession in the first quarter and secured the first penalty corner of the match in the ninth minute but failed to get past experienced Savita Punia in front of Indian goal.

England continued their domination and secured the second penalty corner in the 11th minute but once again failed to breach the Indian defence.

Kaur was by far the best player for India upfront, creating chances for her side with quick incisive runs.

Kaur secured India’s first penalty corner in the 16th minute, which resulted in another set piece but England goalkeeper denied Manisha Chauhan from the second attempt.

In the 21st minute, Kaur was once again denied by the English keeper from close range.

A minute later, India earned another penalty corner, but Deepika’s flick went wide as both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half.

After the change of ends, England had the first chance in the form of another penalty corner in the 38th minute and another two minutes later, which eventually broke the deadlock.

Gillot neatly deflected in a perfect slap shot from skipper Sophie Hamilton to hand England the 1-0 lead.

In the 53rd minute, India secured a penalty stroke for a stick tackle, and Kaur made no mistake from the spot.

Three minutes later, India goalkeeper Savita made a brilliant saved with her extended left leg from a set piece.

But minutes later, England secured another penalty corner and Howard deflected in Hamilton’s slap hit.

Soon after the goal, India withdrew goalkeeper Savita for an extra field player and Rutuja scored a brilliant debut goal from Sunelita’s pass to draw parity.

Seconds from the final hooter, England secured another penalty corner but India defended stoutly to take the match into the shoot-out.

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India vs Spain LIVE Telecast: The Indian men’s hockey team, currently ranked fifth in the world, is all set to kickstart their highly anticipated FIH Pro League 2024-25 campaign. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian squad will open their campaign with two thrilling matches against World No. 8 Spain on February 15 and 16, followed by intense clashes against World No. 4 Germany on February 18 and 19. India’s campaign will open at home, thus offering a prime opportunity for the team to showcase their recent momentum. Following their encounters with Germany, India will take on Ireland on February 21 and 22, before facing the formidable World No. 2 England on February 24 and 25.

With their bonze medal triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side has proven their mettle on the international stage. The team was last seen in action during a two-match Test series at home against Germany in October 2024, where India bounced back from a 2-0 defeat in the first game to defeat the visitors 5-3 in the second. Though Germany won the series via shootout, the competitive performances added confidence to India’s preparations for the FIH Pro League.

Earlier, India showcased their prowess by successfully defending their title at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in September, winning all their matches and cementing their position as one of Asia’s strongest teams.

Harmanpreet Singh will be joined by vice-captain Hardik Singh as they lead a well-balanced squad filled with both experience and youthful talent. Senior players such as Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad will form the backbone of the team while emerging stars like Araijeet Singh Hundal, Angad Bir Singh and Arshdeep Singh bring fresh energy and skill to the lineup.

When will the India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match take place?

The India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match will take place on Saturday, February 15.

Where will the India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match be held?

The India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match will be held at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

What time will the India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match start?

The India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match will start at 7:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match?

The India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match will be televised live on Star Sport Select 2, Star Sports 3 and DD Sports TV channels in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match?

The India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League Match will be live streamed on JioHotstar.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

With IANS Inputs

Barcelona vs Real Betis LIVE Streaming, Copa del Rey: Just three days after a spectacular Supercopa de Espana win, FC Barcelona face a tricky Round of 16 tie in the Copa del Rey against fellow La Liga side Real Betis. Barcelona enter the game on a tremendous high, having battered Real Madrid 5-2 in the Supercopa final, and will hope to carry on the good momentum against Betis, who sit 10th in La Liga. Barcelona will likely once again rely on their attack of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. The two sides drew 2-2 in a tight league game earlier in the season, proving that it will be far from a walk in the park for the Catalan giants. Betis will pin their hopes on former Real Madrid midfielder Isco, with Argentine Giovani Lo Celso sidelined due to injury.

Here are the LIVE Streaming details for Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey LIVE Telecast 2024/25 | Check Where and How to Watch

When will the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match take place?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2025 (IST).

Where will the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match be held?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will be held at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona.

What time will the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match start?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will start at 1:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Madrid:

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is grappling with a series of legal probes involving his inner circle, including his wife, brother and former transport minister, that have tainted his leftist government.

While the 52-year-old and his Socialist party have dismissed the cases as baseless and part of a right-wing “smear campaign”, the judicial onslaught has given his opponents fresh ammunition to attack him.

Here is a look at the legal cases facing one of Europe’s longest-serving leaders:

Wife 

Sanchez’s wife, Begona Gomez, has been under investigation since April for alleged corruption and influence peddling related to her time working at Madrid’s Complutense University following complaints from two groups with far-right ties — “Manos Limpias” (Clean Hands) and “Hazte Oir” (Make Your Voice Heard).

She is also suspected of illegally appropriating software financed by private companies and initially intended for the university.

The 49-year-old was questioned by a judge in July and is scheduled to testify again on Wednesday at a Madrid court looking into the affair.

During an appearance before the conservative-controlled Madrid regional parliament in November, Gomez dismissed the corruption allegations as politically motivated.

Ex-minister 

Sanchez’s former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos, who used to be a member of his inner circle, is under investigation for allegedly having taken kickbacks for contracts to buy masks and other medical supplies in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a court document consulted by AFP, Abalos may have received “financial compensation” for his services in the form of a house in the southern city of Cadiz offered by the company that received the contracts.

The same company also allegedly paid the rent for a Madrid flat occupied by a woman “linked” to the former minister.

Abalos denies any wrongdoing. Sanchez removed him from office in July 2021 and he was expelled from the Socialist Party in February when the affair broke. He still sits as an independent member of parliament.

Brother

The prime minister’s younger brother, David Sanchez, has been under investigation since November for alleged embezzlement, influence peddling and tax fraud following a complaint from “Manos Limpias”.

The group accuses David, who is in charge of live entertainment in the southwestern province of Badajoz, of collecting a public salary without going to his place of work as required.

It also questions the conditions under which he was hired for the post in 2017 by the province’s Socialist administration.

He has been summoned to appear in court for questioning over the affair on January 9.

Judicial leaks 

The prime minister’s entourage is also accused of leaking information to the media about a tax fraud case involving the partner of Isabel Diaz Ayuso, head of the Madrid region and a leading figure of Spain’s opposition conservative Popular Party.

Alberto Gonzalez Amador, a businessman, reportedly proposed a guilty plea deal to the public prosecutor’s office by email in an attempt to avoid a trial and a possible jail term. This email was leaked to the press.

Amador accused state prosecutors of violating his right to privacy with the leak and in October the Supreme Court opened a probe into Spain’s top prosecutor, who was appointed by Sanchez’s government and is accused of being behind the leak.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Andres Iniesta won nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues crowns.© AFP

FIFA will confirm the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups on Wednesday, with a joint bid led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal set to be awarded the former, and the latter being handed to Saudi Arabia. The awarding of hosting rights for both tournaments will go to a vote during a FIFA Congress to be held virtually, but there is no doubt about the outcomes with neither bid having a rival. The 2030 tournament will mark a century since the first World Cup was held in Uruguay, and as a result the bid will also see the South American nation handed a game along with Argentina and Paraguay.

That makes it a remarkable and completely unprecedented bid, involving three different continental confederations.

FIFA already confirmed over a year ago that the joint proposal led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal was the sole contender for 2030, with all other potential candidacies having fallen by the wayside.

A joint British and Irish bid was abandoned when they decided to focus on hosting Euro 2028, while there were suggestions of a bid from South Korea, China, Japan and North Korea.

Four South American countries launched a joint bid in 2019, convinced that the centenary World Cup should entirely take place on the same continent where it all began.

In late 2022, UEFA promoted a bid uniting Spain and Portugal with war-torn Ukraine in a show of “solidarity” following the Russian invasion.

However, Ukraine was quietly dropped from that candidacy last year as Morocco joined forces with the Iberian neighbours, while South America agreed to step aside in exchange for being awarded the hosting of three games, one each for Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina.

Morocco plans mega stadium

Following these “centenary celebrations” in the comparative chill of the southern hemisphere winter, the six teams involved — along with their fans — will have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to play a part in the remaining 101 matches.

This tentacular tournament will conclude with the final on July 21, and it is yet to be seen where that game will be staged.

Spain, which hosted the 1982 World Cup, is set to be the centrepiece as it boasts 11 of the 20 proposed stadiums.

Morocco — which has tried and failed on five previous occasions to be awarded the staging of the tournament — will become the second African nation to host the competition after South Africa in 2010.

Potential venues for the final include the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou, as well as the planned Hassan II stadium between Casablanca and Rabat, which is set to become “the biggest stadium in the world” with a capacity of 115,000.

Portugal, which hosted Euro 2004, will offer two stadiums in Lisbon and one in Porto, and hopes to stage a semi-final.

Human rights concerns

As for 2034, FIFA invoked its principle of continental rotation, therefore only welcoming bids from Asia or Oceania — the 2026 World Cup, the first involving 48 teams, will take place across North America.

Controversially, the body gave potential bidders barely a month late last year to submit candidacies, and Australia and Indonesia quickly abandoned their interest.

That left Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, clearing the way for the World Cup to return to the Gulf region following Qatar’s hosting in 2022.

The kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been using sport for some time now to amass influence and improve its global image.

Being handed the 2034 World Cup will be a crowning moment, and Saudi will win despite currently only boasting two stadiums with a capacity of 40,000, when 14 are required.

Beyond that logistical challenge, the baking temperatures in the northern hemisphere summer could mean pushing the tournament back to later in the year, as happened in 2022.

However, the fact that Ramadan will take place in December that year is an added complication.

Moreover, the awarding of the World Cup to Saudi will make the issue of human rights a major talking point again, just as in 2022.

Rights groups highlight mass executions in Saudi Arabia and allegations of torture, as well as restrictions on women under the conservative country’s male guardianship system. Free expression is severely restricted too.

Saudi Arabia, which is hosting several high-profile events including Formula One and the WTA Finals tennis, is often accused of “sportswashing” — using sport to divert attention from its rights record.

Spain won the last edition of the Nations League after beating Croatia on penalties.© AFP