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Argentina World Cup Player With Cristiano Ronaldo Tattoo 'Not Anti-Messi'

Argentina's Women's World Cup striker Yamila Rodriguez has defended having a tattoo of Cristiano Ronaldo on her leg, saying: "I don't hate Messi." The 25-year-old faced flak on social media from fans back home after they spotted the ink on her left shin of Portugal's Ronaldo -- the great rival of Argentina captain Lionel Messi. "Please, enough, I'm not doing well. At what point did I say I'm anti-Messi?" Rodriguez wrote on social media in response.

Japan And Rampant Spain Roll Into Women's World Cup Last 16

Rampant title contenders Spain and former champions Japan became the first teams to reach the Women's World Cup last 16 on Wednesday as both won with ease. Two-times Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas started for Spain following her serious knee injury and played her part in a 5-0 demolition of Zambia. Japan had been on the brink of reaching the knockout rounds following their 2-0 win over Costa Rica earlier in the day and the Spain result sent both of them sailing through.

Indian Football Team Gets Exemption From Ministry, Will Participate In Asian Games

The Indian men's football team has got an exemption from the Sports Ministry and will be participating in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, starting September 23. The national football team, which didn't get permission to participate during the Jakarta Games in 2018, is currently ranked 18th in Asia and the sports ministry's rule states that in team sport, only those in top-eight will get the nod. However, an exemption has been made and sports minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday tweeted that both the men's and women's national football teams will be taking part in the continental showpiece event.