Argentina
Argentina vs Colombia – Copa America 2021 Preview, Head To Head, Players to Watch & Predicted Line-ups
Estadio Nacional de Brasilia Mane Garrincha is the venue as Argentina and Colombia battle it out for a place in the Copa America 2021 final on Wednesday. Encouraged by a string of impressive displays at the tournament, Argentina enter this clash as favourites to reach their first Copa America final since 2016. Meanwhile, Colombia will have to step up their performances if they want to overcome outsider status and end a run of four matches without a win in regulation time. Suggested article: Copa America winners. Argentina Preview Argentina stormed past out-of-sorts Ecuador in the quarter-finals on the back of Lionel Messi’s heroics, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner taking part in all three strikes during an overwhelming 3-0 triumph. After being held to a 1-1 draw to Chile in the Copa A...
PSG send contract offer to free agent Lionel Messi amid Barca talks
Lionel Messi has been a free agent since this Thursday after his contract at Barcelona came to an end. PSG have taken advantage of the situation to send an offer to Barca’s number 10, who is currently concentrating on the Copa America with Argentina. Since he became a free agent this Thursday after his previous contract at Barcelona terminated, meaning any team is free to sign Messi. According to reports the Argentine is yet to reach an agreement with his boyhood club, teams from around the round are looking to pry him away. Among his suitors is Paris Saint-Germain. ‘AS’ report suggest that the French side has taken advantage of the current situation to send an offer to the player. The Ligue 1 outfit are looking to build add to a set of strong summer reinforcements, as Donnarumma, Hakimi a...
Argentina vs Ecuador – Copa America 2021 Preview, Head To Head, Players to Watch & Predicted Line-ups
Argentina return to action with their first knockout fixture of Copa America 2021 as they lock horns with Ecuador at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico on Sunday. Argentina’s quest of winning their first continental crown since 2013 got off to a flying start as Lionel Messi looks to add a first international title to his illustrious cabinet. On the other hand, Ecuador’s hopes of achieving their first Copa America glory face a formidable challenge, especially considering how they played in the group phase. Argentina Preview Argentina made light work of their Copa America group stage campaign, finishing top of the section with three consecutive victories following a 1-1 draw with Chile on Matchday 1. La Albiceleste have now advanced to the major tournament knock-out stages for the 11th time...
Copa America quarter-finals preview: Argentina and Brazil going for the trophy
The Copa America group stages have ended, and we now know our line-up for the knockout rounds. This is where things get incredibly interesting. One poor game, and it’s all over. It’s all about the result. Ahead of the quarter-finals, here are our predictions for the last eight ties. Peru vs Paraguay Can Peru get past Paraguay? Peru surpassed expectations in the group stages. Aside from one 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Brazil, they enjoyed a strong showing, finishing in second place. Paraguay also gave a good account of themselves in their group. They managed to pull off a surprise win against Chile and suffered narrow defeats to Argentina and Uruguay. They finished in third place. It’s a difficult one to call. Both sides have fairly similar records, scoring five in their four group outing...
Copa America: Messi takes lead in Golden Boot race, Cavani scores crucial goal
The final two games of the Copa America group stages were played last night, and we now know our lineup for the knockout rounds. Argentina finished their Group A fixtures with a clash against Bolivia, while Paraguay and Uruguay competed against each other. Here is how the two games went. Bolivia 1-4 Argentina Messi scores his first of two from the penalty spot Argentina went into the final game unbeaten, knowing that a win would secure their place at the top of Group A. As for Bolivia, they had suffered three straight defeats and were already eliminated. The first half was the Lionel Messi show, as the 34-year-old directly contributed to three goals. He began in the sixth minute by scooping a beautiful pass for Papu Gomez to volley home off the underside of the crossbar. In the 33rd minute...
Copa America: Lionel Messi equals record as Argentina progress
Lionel Messi earned a record-equalling 147th cap for Argentina as they progressed to the Copa America quarter-finals with victory over Paraguay. Papu Gomez scored the decisive goal early on, meeting a pass from Angel Di Maria before producing a fine finish. Messi, 34, equalled Javier Mascherano’s appearance record for the national team in the hard-fought win in Brasilia. Argentina top Group A ahead of Chile, who drew 1-1 with Uruguay to also advance to the knockout stage. The hastily-rearranged tournament in Brazil, which was moved from Argentina just two weeks before it was scheduled to start because of a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, is Messi’s latest chance to win silverware with the senior team. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was typically influential, playing a part in the ...
Copa America: Argentina continue bright start, Uruguay and Chile draw
It was a star-studded night of Copa America action, with some of the biggest names in the tournament lining up for their countries in Group A. Lionel Messi made history as he appeared for his side for a record-equalling 147th time, alongside the likes of Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria. Meanwhile, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani were out on the pitch for Uruguay’s second group stage game against Chile. Here is how things unfolded. Uruguay 1-1 Chile Vargas and Brereton combined for the opener Chile went into the game top of the group, having accumulated four points from their opening two games. Uruguay, on the other hand, were looking to bounce back after their defeat against Argentina in game one. Ben Brereton continued his promising start to life as a Chile international, combining with E...
Copa America: Blackburn man scores for Chile, Argentina defeat Uruguay
More Copa America action occurred last night, with Uruguay getting underway with their first game of the tournament against Argentina. Meanwhile, Chile were also out on the field, facing Bolivia. Here is what they served up. Chile 1-0 Bolivia Brereton got his first international goal It was amusing to a number of Championship followers that Blackburn Rovers’ Ben Brereton was called up to the Chile national team. He was born in England, has played his entire career in England, and played for England youth teams. However, his mother is Chilean, qualifying him for the South American nation. And the 22-year-old was the hero on Friday evening, scoring the only goal as Chile defeated Bolivia in their second game of the tournament. Former Queens Park Rangers loanee Eduardo Vargas flicked the ball...
Three key chances, 100% passes completed: Tottenham Hotspur star shines on international duty
A selection of Tottenham Hotspur fans were impressed with the performance of Giovani Lo Celso during Argentina’s 1-1 draw against Chile in the Copa America. Lo Celso was picked as part of a three-man midfield, and he produced a solid display over 67 minutes before he was taken off the field. The 25-year-old managed only 21 touches of the ball, but completed all of his 14 passes attempted against Martin Lasarte’s side. He won the free-kick which led to Lionel Messi’s stunning strike in the 33rd minute, while providing three key passes in the final third. The Argentine was unfortunate to not register an assist. Some Spurs fans were impressed with the showing of their player last night. Twitter reactions: We have to find a way to get this level of production out of Lo Celso at Tottenham....
Brazilian president fined for not wearing mask
Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, has been fined for not wearing a mask as he joined thousands of motorcyclists at a rally in Sao Paulo. Bolsonaro waved from his bike to the cheering crowd as he used the occasion to insist masks were useless for vaccinated people. The rally snaked in and out of the city, arriving back at Ibirapuera Park, where the far-right leader addressed supporters and said mask-wearing for vaccinated people was pointless. However, President Bolsonaro’s claim has been disputed by most health experts. “Whoever is against this proposal is because they don’t believe in science, because if they are vaccinated, there is no way the virus can be transmitted,” said Bolsonaro. Under 12% of Brazilians have had both doses of a vaccine, the ministry of health says, and many expe...
10 most (seemingly) dangerous things we’ve done
Seven years after we quit our jobs to travel around the world, we revisit some of the riskiest things we’ve done on the road Peter and I have a long-running joke that I have fallen off my bike in the most beautiful places in the world – among them Bora Bora in French Polynesia and Isabela in the Galápagos. I only learnt to ride at the age of 28 and my lack of experience has led to numerous falls. What’s interesting is that no one ever calls me ‘brave’ or ‘daring’ for riding a bicycle or indeed a horse even though statistically (and in personal experience), these activities are some of the most dangerous I’ve done. Instead, it’s things like skydiving and bungy jumping that impress others most. Below, I share 10 seemingly dangerous things we’ve done – some of which posed a real risk, b...
Manchester United preparing £39 million bid for Atalanta defender
Manchester United are set to bid £39million for Atalanta defender Cristian Romero. Atalanta are reportedly planning to make Romero’s loan from Juventus permanent for £21.5m before cashing in on his services. But according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta will take up an option in the 23-year-old’s loan deal to sign him permanently. The fee is believed to be £21.5m – but some rumours suggest it could be as low as £13.75m. Reports claim the Serie A side will then look to sell Romero for €45m – around £39m – and make a huge profit. And Man United are said to be leading the race for the Argentina international’s signature. Romero has been one of Atalanta’s best players this term, making 31 Serie A appearances to help them finish third and qualify for next season’s Champio...
