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Facundo Medina talks about playing for Argentina national team

Roy Nemer
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79

Facundo Medina recently spoke in an interview about playing for the Argentina national team.

Medina was called up to the Argentina national team for this month’s World Cup qualifiers. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, here’s what he had to say:

“It all happened very suddenly. Today, my 13 year old brother called ne and asked me “What does it feel like to wear the shirt of the senior Argentina national team, to have to put on the shirt?”. I didn’t know what to tell him.

“I’ve always tried to give my best, both when I was in the youth and at Talleres, which is where I had the most opportunities. One has to remain calm to be able to give their best.”

Regarding the match against Bolivia and at altitude:

“Ten minutes in and my chest hurt. The advice was given to me by Pablo Aimar and Walter Samuel. Clear the ball which comes towrads you.”

Pablo Zabaleta announces retirement from football

Roy Nemer
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86

Pablo Zabaleta has retired from football after 18 years.

The former Argentina and Manchester City right back has announced his retirement from football at 35 years of age. Zabaleta first started his career with San Lorenzo in 2002 where he later joined Espanyol in 2005, spending three years at the club. He would win the Copa del Rey in his first season.

Zabaleta would join Manchester City in 2008 and become a pillar in the back line. Playing over 300 matches for the club, the Argentine would win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two league cups and a Community Shield during his time at the club.

He would join West Ham for three years before announcing his retirement.

With the Argentina national team, Zabaleta would win the 2005 U20 World Cup and also 2008 Olympic gold. As he did with his clubs, Zabaleta was the unsung hero of the back line as he was part of the Argentina team reached the final of the 2014 World Cup. He would play 58 matches for Argentina.

Thank you for everything Pablo.

Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa speak about Argentina win

Roy Nemer
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276

Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa, the two goal scorers, spoke about Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Bolivia in the World Cup qualifiers.

Martinez scored the first goal and Correa scored the second in what was a difficult match for Lionel Scaloni’s team. Speaking after the game, here’s what Lautaro had to say:

“Obviously it’s possible to win here. We thought about what this game meant to us because of its history. We won’t deny that it’s difficult to play here, it changes a lot.

“This is a young team, new with players of experience like Leo, Nico, that today killed themselves today. I saw Nico jumping for a header, running, pressuring.

“Many things were said but we are focused on what we have to do. To win and to bring the three points home. We knew that the match was going to be like this. I believe that this team, today, showed a lot of heart. We are very happy.”

Joaquin Correa had this to say:

“I always kept my faith in coming to the Argentina national team, which is the greatest thing of all. I’m very happy for having scored and for having helped the team.

“The coach told us all that we have to try and be aggressive with the ball, that we have to be more vertical. On the goal, I thought about hitting it first time because I know that this pitch and this ball are difficult for the goalkeepers.”

Argentina win 2-1 vs. Bolivia, first win since 2005 in La Paz, Lautaro, Joaquin Correa score

Roy Nemer
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32

Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa each scored to give Argentina the 2-1 win vs. Bolivia, their first since 2005 in La Paz.

Lionel Scaloni’s men got all three points and start off the World Cup qualifiers with two wins out of two. Bolivia took a 1-0 lead and it looked like Argentina were going into half time a goal down. Leandro Paredes had a shot which hot the crossbar and could have drawn Argentina level. With a minute left in the first half, Lautaro Martinez beat his marker inside the penalty area and his shot was nearly that of a tackle on the ball as he scored.

The second half saw Lionel Scaloni substitute Joaquin Correa for Lucas Ocampos into the match. Lionel Messi had a free kick as he tried to go under the wall but it was blocked. Rodrigo de Paul was substituted for Guido Rodriguez while Leandro Paredes was taken off for Nicolas Dominguez.

Lautaro Martinez nearly scored and gave Argentina the lead but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper. A solid performance by Lionel Messi was capped off with a pass into Lautaro Martinez who passed it over to the substitute Joaquin Correa as the Argentine scored and Argentina took a 2-1 lead and the win.

Argentina get their first win since 2005 in La Paz and have six points out of six.

Argentina rumored eleven, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Lucas Ocampos to start

Roy Nemer
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286

Argentina play Bolivia in La Paz in a World Cup qualifier with one change to be made from the last game.

Lionel Scaloni is rumored to be making one change to the starting eleven which won 1-0 vs. Ecuador on Thursday. An injury to Marcos Acuña means one of Exequiel Palacios or Nicolas Dominguez could start in his place.

There were reports of Juan Foyth possibly starting in place of Gonzalo Montiel but new reports suggest Montiel will keep his spot. Here is the rumored eleven:

Armani, Montiel, Martinez Quarta, Otamendi, Tagliafigo; Palacios or Dominguez, Paredes, De Paul; Messi; Ocampos, Lautaro.

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