Porto Alegre, Brazil | AFP | Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal says the reigning Copa America champions are focused on making history ahead of their semi-final against Peru. The 2015 and 2016 champions are aiming for a third continental title in a row, a feat only achieved once before by Argentina …
Read More »Argentina waiting for Messi magic to make an appearance
Belo Horizonte, Brazil | AFP | For the last dozen years, Argentina has been waiting for global superstar Lionel Messi to lead their football team to a major international trophy. But when the the country needed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner most, Messi failed to emulate the feats of Diego Maradona …
Read More »Chile beat Colombia on penalties to reach Copa semis
Sao Paulo, Brazil | AFP | Champions Chile maintained their hopes of a third straight Copa America victory after beating Colombia on penalties on Friday to reach the semi-finals. Chile could have won the game in normal time but had two goals ruled out for marginal decisions in a scoreless draw, …
Read More »Copa America starts afresh in quarters, says Argentina’s Messi
Porto Alegre, Brazil | AFP | Argentina will start from afresh in the Copa America after averting disaster with Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Qatar that sent them into the knockout stages, star Lionel Messi said. Goals from the Barcelona icon’s forward partners Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero were enough to propel …
Read More »Messi ‘bitter’ as Colombia stun Argentina
Salvador, Brazil | AFP | Lionel Messi said his team was feeling bitter after Argentina lost their opening Copa America match 2-0 to Colombia despite dominating the second half. Goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata in the final 20 minutes gave Colombia their first tournament victory over Argentina in …
Read More »Blue Samurai to unleash ‘Japanese Messi’ on Copa America
Tokyo, Japan | AFP | On a continent where “imitation” Galacticos are a dime a dozen, Japan’s Takefusa Kubo could just be the real deal. Snapped up by Real Madrid on Friday from under the noses of some of the world’s other top clubs, the teenage sensation is about to demonstrate …
Read More »Coutinho brace helps Brazil forget Neymar in winning Copa start
Sao Paulo, Brazil | AFP | A brace from Philippe Coutinho handed hosts Brazil a winning start to the Copa America on Friday in a 3-0 victory over Bolivia as the absence of superstar Neymar was quickly forgotten. Barcelona’s Coutinho scored from the penalty spot early in the second half and …
Read More »Messi scores twice as Argentina routs Nicaragua 5-1.
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Lionel Messi scored a first-half double as Argentina warmed up for the Copa America with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Nicaragua on Friday in San Juan. The Central Americans, who will participate in this month’s Gold Cup tournament while Argentina battle it out in …
Read More »What’s next for Neymar?
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | AFP | Forced out of the Copa America by injury, star striker Neymar faces an uncertain playing future in Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil where he is engulfed in an alleged rape scandal. Neymar vehemently denies the accusation, which has dominated headlines and dogged Brazil’s preparations for …
Read More »Neymar injury woe as Brazil beat Qatar
Brasília, Brazil | AFP | Brazil’s Copa America preparations suffered a huge injury scare on Wednesday after striker Neymar limped off the field as the Selecao beat Qatar 2-0 in a friendly. A distraught-looking Neymar was seen covering his face with his hands as he sat on the bench after …
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