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Argentina to play Chile in Copa America third place game

In a repeat of the last two Copa America finals, it will be Argentina against Chile in the third place game.

After a controversial 2-0 loss against Brazil, there was nothing controversial about Chile’s 3-0 defeat against Peru. Chile, who won the last two Copa America finals defeating Argentina on penalty kicks, lost their last two games against Argentina. Argentina won 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying game in Chile and also managed a 1-0 win against Chile, once more in a World Cup qualifier but this time in Argentina.

Argentina will still be represented in the Copa America final as Peru coach Ricardo GARECA will be the sixth Argentine coach in the past six editions to feature in a final:

Copa America 2004: Marcelo BIELSA, Argentina
Copa America 2007: Alfio BASILE, Argentina
Copa America 2011: Gerardo “Tata” MARTINO, Paraguay
Copa America 2015: Gerardo “Tata” MARTINO, Argentina, Jorge SAMPAOLI, Chile
Copa America 2016: Gerardo “Tata” MARTINO, Argentina, Antonio PIZZI, Chile
Copa America 2019: Ricardo GARECA, Peru

Congratulations to Ricardo GARECA on reaching the Copa America.

 

Referee advised to go to VAR during Argentina vs. Brazil, AFA request

Reports are coming out that the referee during the Argentina vs. Brazil game was advised to go to VAR but refused.

One of the VAR officials during the game, Uruguayan Leodan GONZALEZ reportedly told referee ZAMBRANO to go to VAR for two penalty incidents. The first incident was that of Sergio AGUERO with Dani ALVES and the second being Nicolas OTAMENDI and Arthur. The referee refused both times.

The AFA have requested to CONMEBOL the communication between VAR and the referee.

Argentina captain Lionel MESSI talks about his national team future

Argentina captain Lionel MESSI addressed his future with the Argentina national team while also talking about the kids on the team.

The veteran and leader of this Argentina team, there’s been lots of speculation about his future in the squad and MESSI spoke about it after his team’s match against Brazil. Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s the start of something new, beautiful. A good group is coming, it’s important, they showed at this Copa that they love the Argentina national team and that there is a future. I found myself fitting in well with the group. If I have to help out somehow, I’ll do it.

“Hopefully they respect these kids because they did a huge job, a very big sacrifice. They are the future and we could be calm because Argentina is going to continue to grow.”

Lionel MESSI on referees: “They saw bullshit fouls, penalties… And no VAR”

Lionel MESSI was very critical of the officiating which took place during Argentina’s game against Brazil at the Copa America.

Despite himself and the team playing their best game against Brazil at the Copa America, they found themselves eliminated and having to play a third place match. However, MESSI took to the media following the game to talk about the team and the referees. Here’s what he had to say:

“It unsettles you. They are plays that take you out of the game. You see that the referee is not being fair. They never went to VAR. The referees called a lot of bullshit but they didn’t check VAR. It’s incredible. It was like that the entire game. There was a lack of respect from the referees towards us.

“It’s something that has to be looked at and hopefully CONMEBOL can do something about this kind of officiating. The second goal came from a penalty they didn’t award.

“We played our best game of the Copa America. They were never superior to us.

“It angers you because we did very well. They are clear plays that were never looked at, that didn’t go to VAR. They saw bullshit hand calls, bullshit fouls, bullshit penalties… And today, they didn’t go to VAR.”

Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI: “I did not like the referee”

Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI hit out at the referee while also speaking about his team.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Argentina but coach Lionel SCALONI is taking nothing away from his team and did not hold back regarding the referee. Speaking to the media after the match, here’s what he had to say:

“I didn’t like the referee. He was not up to the level for a match of this caliber. The small plays (calls) always went the other way. The linesmen and the fourth official kept telling TAGLIAFICO that he was  already cautioned. He had to stop playing and if something were to happen, a decision would have been made.”

Lionel SCALONI thinks the second goal should have been called off:

“It was a play where we had a player (Sergio AGUERO) on the ground, he felt a hit and FOYTH stopped. It’s why I went crazy. The second goal should have been called off.”

SCALONI also spoke about the team:

“If it was based on merit, Argentina would have gone through to the final. It was the best match we played in terms of the level of the opponent, because we created a lot and we suffered very little. Brazil is in the final, they did their thing but in terms of play, Argentina deserve to play the final and we are talking about something else. Sergio’s (AGUERO) chance which hit the crossbar and didn’t go in, Leo’s (MESSI) post… Luck was not on our side. I believe we were superior.

“No doubt, today, this group showed that they feel the shirt. I think we left an image for the future of the Argentina national team and it’s a good road to continue. To play on that pitch, in those conditions, against a superior opponent… It means nothing because we’re not playing the final but if we take into consideration what we did today, everything that will come will be positive.”

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