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Tag: Copa America

  • How Lionel Messi ended Copa America with complex injury

    How Lionel Messi ended Copa America with complex injury

    Lionel Messi was forced off with an apparent right ankle injury in the second half of Argentina’s 1-0 Copa América final win over Colombia at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

     

    Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal for Argentina in extra time, securing Argentina’s record 16th Copa crown and their third consecutive major tournament title following their Copa win in 2021 and World Cup victory in 2022.

     

    Messi collapsed to the field in the 64th minute and immediately signaled his concern to the Argentina bench. He remained down for several minutes as trainers attended to him before being helped to his feet and immediately taking off his right shoe.

     

    As he walked off the field, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner removed his captain’s armband and threw his shoe to the ground in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face, sobbing on the bench, while TV cameras revealed his severely swollen right ankle.

     

    He was replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez.

     

    Messi had earlier gone down holding his right ankle after a strong challenge in the first half. The Inter Miami player chased the ball and attempted to kick it before it went out of bounds, planting his right leg awkwardly and appearing to take contact from Colombia’s Santiago Arias.

     

    The 37-year-old writhed in pain and rolled over several times, clutching his lower right leg. Trainers worked on the area for a few minutes before helping him to his feet. He walked slowly toward the sideline before reentering the game.

     

    Messi had been dealing with a leg injury and discomfort throughout much of the tournament and missed Argentina’s group stage finale. He had one shot attempt in the first half on Sunday.

     

    The final was tied 0-0 when Messi exited, but he watched from the sidelines as his team battled to a hard-fought victory over a tough and talented Colombia team that had gone unbeaten in 28 straight games.

  • Argentina beat Colombia to win 16th Copa America

    Argentina beat Colombia to win 16th Copa America

    Argentina beat Colombia to win a record 16th Copa America but the game was marred by the kick-off being delayed by 80 minutes because of trouble outside the ground in Miami.

    Lautaro Martinez struck in the second half of extra time from Giovani lo Celso’s through ball to secure the win.

    Captain Lionel Messi was left in tears when he had to be replaced midway through the second half after injuring himself while chasing for the ball – but was celebrating his country’s third successive major tournament at the final whistle.

    Kick-off was delayed because of chaos outside the Hard Rock Stadium.

    Organisers said ticketless fans tried to get into the ground, leaving some fans waiting for hours in the Miami heat for the gates to open.

    Fans and police officers and security clashed with several arrests made. Several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.

    On top of that the half-time break lasted for 25 minutes because of a concert by Colombian popstar Shakira on the pitch, a move that was criticised by Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo beforehand.

    It was a game of few clear chances in hot, humid conditions, with Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba hitting the woodwork in the first half.

    Argentina thought they had taken the lead with 15 minutes to go but Nicolas Tagliafico’s effort was ruled out for offside.

    Martinez would end up as the hero – and win the Golden Boot with five goals.

    BBC

  • Copa America: Messi writes emotional message to Argentina fans ahead final with Colombia

    Copa America: Messi writes emotional message to Argentina fans ahead final with Colombia

    Argentina captain Lionel Messi has shared an emotional message on Instagram ahead of his country’s 2024 Copa America final against Colombia on Sunday.

     

    Argentina will face Colombia in the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.

     

    Ahead of the match, Messi posted several pictures from Argentina’s training session with the caption:

     

    “Last day of Copa America. Once again, we reached the end… This incredible road would have been impossible without the hard work of everyone, the ones who watch the most and the ones who are always behind the camera.

     

    “Thanks to all for the effort and passion, to all the teammates and the technical body, to the workers of the National Team and all the Argentinians who came to encourage us in America and to those who could not come but support us from our country and from other places where they are living.”

     

    Messi has recorded one goal and one assist in the Copa America 2024.

  • Copa America: Uruguay win third place after win over Canada

    Copa America: Uruguay win third place after win over Canada

    South America side, Uruguay triumphed over Canada in the third place match at the ongoing Copa America tournament hosted by United States.

    it was Luis Suárez’s last-minute heroics that secured Uruguay’s third-place finish over Canada in a thrilling match at Bank of America Stadium.

     

    Canada appeared to have the match in hand but surrendered a late lead. Suárez scored a dramatic equalizer, pushing the game to a penalty-kick tiebreaker, where Uruguay triumphed 4-3.

     

    Despite the loss, Canada’s coach, Jesse Marsch, had much to commend in his team’s performance. Finishing second in Group A, Marsch remains optimistic about Canada’s prospects for the 2026 World Cup. However, the sting of this defeat will linger, as Canada outplayed Uruguay for significant stretches and held a lead late into the match.

     

    The game saw both teams taking the lead at different points. Rodrigo Betancur opened the scoring for Uruguay in the eighth minute, but Ismaël Koné equalized with a stunning goal in the 22nd minute.

     

    Substitute Jonathan David appeared to secure victory for Canada with an 80th-minute goal, only for Suárez to rescue Uruguay with his last-minute equalizer, leading to the dramatic penalty shootout.

  • Copa America: Bielsa demands apology from Colombia fans brawl”

    Copa America: Bielsa demands apology from Colombia fans brawl”

    Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has called for Colombia fans to apologize for the brawl following his team’s Copa America semi-final defeat on Wednesday.

    The incident, which took place at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina, involved Uruguay players, led by Darwin Núñez, and Colombia fans. The altercation occurred in an area where many Uruguay players’ families were seated. Conmebol is currently investigating, and some Uruguay players could face bans.

    Bielsa said, “How can you not defend your mother, your sister, a baby? If they did not do it, they would have been condemned by all of us.”

    He continued, “The sanction does not have to be for the footballers, but for those who forced them to act like this. This is a witch hunt. It is a shame. We are in the United States, the country of security.”

    As journalists pressed him about potential sanctions for his team, Bielsa retorted, “You should have asked me if we have received an apology, not if I fear sanctions! What sanction are they talking to me about? What we have to see is when are they going to apologize.”

    He added, “Journalism responds to the interests of those who administer power, who are the ones who distribute money. There is a percentage of journalism that responds to this. Those who do not respond to the interests of power are the ones who suffer because they are loyal.”

  • Copa America: 10 – man Colombia pip Uruguay 1-0 to set up final with Argentina

    Copa America: 10 – man Colombia pip Uruguay 1-0 to set up final with Argentina

    James Rodriguez provided his sixth assist of the tournament, leading 10-man Colombia to a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday. This win sets up a Copa América final against Argentina, though the night ended in chaos as players clashed with fans.

     

    Argentina had secured their place in Sunday’s final in Miami Gardens, Florida, by defeating Canada 2-0 in the first semifinal on Tuesday.

     

    Colombia’s victory extended their unbeaten streak to a team-record 28 games, dating back to a loss to Argentina in February 2022.

     

    The contentious match saw seven yellow cards and one red card issued. At the final whistle, players from both teams were involved in a scuffle on the field. Darwin Núñez and about a dozen Uruguay teammates then entered the stands as fans brawled, with a video capturing Núñez hitting a fan in Colombian team colors.

     

    Jefferson Lerma scored the decisive goal in front of a fervent, overwhelmingly pro-Colombia crowd of 70,644 at Bank of America Stadium, heading in a deep corner from James in the 39th minute.

     

    James becomes the first South American player to record six assists in a single major tournament since Pelé did so for Brazil at the 1970 World Cup.

  • Copa America: Colombia beat Uruguay to face Argentina in final

    Copa America: Colombia beat Uruguay to face Argentina in final

    Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0 in their Copa America semi-final match on Wednesday in spite of playing the second half with only 10 men.

    Jefferson Lerma’s first-half header at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina helped to set up a title decider against defending champions Argentina on Sunday.
    Colombia’s Daniel Munoz was sent off at the end of the first half and, while Uruguay dominated possession, they could not make the man-advantage count.

    This was as Darwin Nunez missed three good opportunities to score early on.

    The Liverpool forward had a great chance in the penalty box in the 17th minute, but hecurled his effort inches wide before a scuffed shot.

    Another curling strike failed to find the target as he sat on his haunches wondering how he had missed.

    Uruguay were made to pay for those missed chances when Lerma rose above the defence at a corner-kick and squeezed his header past goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.

    It helped James Rodriguez to claim his sixth assist of the tournament.

    Colombia were then reduced to 10 men when right-back Munoz received a second yellow card for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the chest when play was stopped.

    With Uruguay dominating possession in the second half, Bielsa threw on Luis Suarez in the 67th minute.

    The veteran striker nearly scored moments later, with the 37-year-old’s shot hitting the post as he sank to his knees in frustration.

    Colombia had a golden opportunity to seal the win in the 88th minute when they won the ball back in Uruguay’s penalty box, but Mateus Uribe sent his low shot wide.

    He saw another one deflect off the goalkeeper and cannon off the crossbar in added time.

    Colombia, who extended their unbeaten run to 28 games, held on for a famous win and will face Argentina in Sunday’s final match.

    Uruguay will take on Canada a day earlier in the third-place playoff.

  • Copa America: Argentina mock Canadian rapper Drake for betting against them

    Copa America: Argentina mock Canadian rapper Drake for betting against them

    Argentina have continued to mock Canadian rapper, Drake after losing  a whooping  $300,000 bet on Wednesday morning.

    Drake had placed a bet on the Copa America semi-final clash between his country, and Argentina.

    The Hip Hop star would have won a large sum of $2.8million if Canada had won the semi-final clash against Argentina on Tuesday.

    However, goals from Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi secured  a 2-0 victory for Albiceleste.

    In a post on social media after the game, Argentina made reference to Kendrick Lamar’s iconic diss track ‘Not Like Us’ targeted at Drake.

    The official AFA account posted a picture of Messi and his Argentina team-mates celebrating with the caption: “Not like us, not with us.”

  • Copa America: Messi scores as Argentina beat Canada to qualify for final

    Copa America: Messi scores as Argentina beat Canada to qualify for final

    Lionel Messi, the current Ballon d’Or holder, showcased his talent with a precise touch of his legendary left boot to score his first goal of this summer’s Copa America tournament.

    With Messi’s goal early in the second half and Julián Álvarez’s first-half strike, Argentina triumphed over Canada, 2-0, in their Copa America semifinal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday night.

    “It’s incredible what this team has achieved and what the Argentine national team continues to do,” Messi remarked after the match. “Now, the importance of all the finals that I and the veteran players have participated in will be recognized even more.”

    Argentina will compete in the Copa America final on Sunday in Miami, awaiting the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Colombia and Uruguay, for a chance to further solidify its soccer dynasty.

    As the defending World Cup champions, Argentina aims for its second consecutive Copa America title, potentially securing its fourth major international championship in three years, including the 2022 Finalissima victory over 2021 Euro champions Italy.

  • Copa America: Pop star, Shakira to thrill fans at final

    Copa America: Pop star, Shakira to thrill fans at final

    Colombian pop star Shakira has been confirmed to perform at the 2024 Copa America final. The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer will take the stage during halftime of the final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, July 14.

     

    “Shakira is an extraordinary South American star who has dazzled the entire world,” said Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, in a statement on Tuesday. “We are sure that her performance at the Copa América USA 2024 will enhance the message of healthy passion and unity through sport.”

     

    Shakira has previously performed at major global events such as the Super Bowl and three World Cups.

     

    The 2024 Copa America final will feature the winners of tonight’s semifinal tie between Argentina and Canada, and the other semifinal clash on Wednesday between Uruguay and Colombia.