Home Blog Page 1007

Argentina maintain second place in South American World Cup qualifiers

Roy Nemer
-
14

Argentina maintained their position of second place in the South American World Cup qualifiers.

The race for 2022 is far from over as we have only played five matches out of a possible 18, meaning there’s still everything left to play for when it comes to Qatar. A 1-1 draw at home vs. Chile saw Argentina reach 11 points in the standings, behind only Brazil who sealed a 2-0 win vs. Ecuador to get to 15 points.

Behind Lionel Scaloni’s team are Ecuador on 9 points. After that see a three way tie as Paraguay, Uruguay and Colombia are all on 7 points. Chile are seventh with 5 points, Bolivia on four and Venezuela on three. Peru are the only team that are win less as they are on one point.

Brazil, 15 points
Argentina, 11 points
Ecuador, 9 points
Paraguay, 7 points
Uruguay, 7 points
Colombia, 7 points
Chile, 5 points
Bolivia, 4 points
Venezuela, 3 points
Peru, 1 point

Here are the matches for next week:

Colombia vs. Argentina
Ecuador vs. Peru
Venezuela vs. Uruguay
Paraguay vs. Brazil
Chile vs. Bolivia

For Argentina, they have three players who have scored two goals. Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez and Lautaro Martinez are all on two each with Joaquin Correa on one goal.

Erik Lamela wins Premier League goal of the season

Roy Nemer
-
4

Erik Lamela’s rabona goal has won him the Goal of the Season in the Premier League.

It was Lamela’s only goal of the Premier League season but he made sure it was a memorable one. A North London derby against rivals Arsenal had the 29 year old start the match on the bench. After being substituted on, Lamela would score the first goal of the match to give Tottenham the 1-0 lead.

A rabona goal, twisting his left foot behind his right and striking the ball was enough to win his the award. Congratulations to Lamela on the goal.

 

Cristian Romero comments on Argentina national team debut

Roy Nemer
-
65

Cristiano Romero made his Argentina debut in the team’s 1-1 draw vs. Chile on Thursday. Romero received high praise for coach Lionel Scaloni as the 23 year old defender had a stellar game.

Speaking to the media after the match, here’s what Romero had to say:

“I think the team played a good game and continues to grow, which is important. I didn’t know many of my team mates but they made me feel like one more on the team.

“I am very thankful to the coaching staff for this opportunity. I’m very happy to have made my debut in the Argentina national team shirt. Thank you to all of my team mates that gave me confidence from the first day I got here.

“This call-up gave at the best time of my career. This has to be the way to continue to grow. I’m happy with the way the group received me, for how they made me feel on the pitch and every day.”

Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni comment on Argentina draw, Diego Maradona, Cristian Romero

Roy Nemer
-
76

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi both spoke to the media following the team’s 1-1 draw vs. Chile on Thursday.

Lionel Scaloni praised the young players, in particular Cristian Romero while Lionel Messi, who scored the only goal for the host team, commented on the situation and Diego Maradona. Speaking to the media, here’s what Messi had to say:

“It had been a long time that we weren’t together, it’s not easy coming back but I think at times we played a good game. I’m happy about the result, beyond that we couldn’t win. Little by little, we have to get stronger again.”

Prior to the match, the entire Argentina eleven wore tribute shirts in honor of Diego Maradona. While they wanted to wear the shirt for the match, FIFA would not allow it. However, Messi spoke about Diego Maradona following the match:

“It was a very special match because it was the first one without Diego. We know that the national team meant to him and we know that he was present. In addition, it was special for the situation in the country and in the world, it’s a very difficult situation for everyone.”

Coach Lionel Scaloni also spoke to the media. Here’s what he had to say about his team:

“The World Cup qualifiers are complicated, the opponents are difficult. I’m left with the feeling that we were the team that always tried to win. Under no circumstances does this result change what we are going to do in Colombia.”

In regards to the players who made their debut:

“I’m satisfied with the fact that the debut didn’t weigh down on any of the boys. That makes me happy, it’s a good sign. The positive aspect is that the team always showed face, they tried to attack, they practically created no chances. In the second half, we went deeper, with a different team. The negative is that they drew off a dead ball situation.”

Regarding Nahuel Molina and Cristian Romero:

“We saw that with Nahuel Molina we could attack a little more on the right side. Julian Alvarez came on and did well, he’s another option we have.

“Romero didn’t surprise us. I wasn’t wrong when I said that the national team has a great center back. We are happy, he played as if he had played 100 matches with the team. In the end, the best play in the national team.”

Lionel Messi scores as Argentina draw 1-1 vs. Chile in World Cup qualifier

Roy Nemer
-
56

It was an emotional match for Lionel Scaloni’s team as they wore the national team shirt with a picture of Diego Maradona on the front, in honor of the late great player. Neither team was able to get the three points as two goals in the first half would cancel each other out.

Lautaro Martinez, who had little service in the first half, won Argentina a penalty. A lovely pass in by Angel Di Maria found the Inter man as he was tripped inside the penalty area.

The referee would go to VAR and would award Lionel Scaloni’s team the penalty. Up stepped Lionel Messi as he looked towards goalkeeper Claudio Bravo’s right but shot the opposite side into the bottom corner of the net to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.

Chile would draw level off a set piece. A free kick inside the penalty area would find a completely unmarked Medel who would score. Argentina would nearly take the lead once more off a Lionel Messi free kick but his effort was saved.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made two changes at half time bringing in Lisandro Martinez for Quarta Martinez and Angel Correa for Lucas Ocampos. Quarta Martinez had picked up a yellow in the first half while Ocampos generally had a poor showing.

It was Chile starting the second half on the front foot and it wasn’t until Argentina’s third change where they began to play better. Julian Alvarez would get his national team debut as he came on for veteran Angel Di Maria.

Lionel Messi came close to scoring a second goal as his free kick hit the crossbar. A fourth substitute in Nahuel Molina for Juan Foyth followed with Scaloni going for a fifth as Exequiel Palacios was in for Leandro Paredes.

Argentina came closest to score near the end with a low Messi shot which was saved by Bravo but the Albiceleste’s couldn’t take advantage of the rebound. Messi had another effort which was saved by Bravo in the end.

 

 

1...1,0061,0071,008...1,670Page 1,007 of 1,670