Gerardo “Tata” MARTINO won the Gold Cup following a 1-0 win against the United States in the final.
It was MARTINO’s fourth continental cup final and his first win. After having lead Paraguay to a 2011 Copa America final appearance where he lost, he went on to make two more consecutive Copa America finals but with Argentina. He lost both on penalty kicks but can now celebrate.
Congratulations to Gerardo “Tata” MARTINO on the win!
Lionel MESSI has completely hit back at CONMEBOL and VAR while also saying that they didn’t want Argentina in the final.
After his comments following the game against Brazil, Argentina captain Lionel MESSI has come out and attacked CONMEBOL once more. Speaking after the third place win against Chile where he was controversially sent off, MESSI went after CONMEBOL. Here’s what he had to say:
“What I said, happened. I didn’t go to the podium because we shouldn’t be part of the corruption and lack of respect. We were meant for more but they didn’t let us be in the final. The corruption and the refs didn’t allow the people to enjoy and football is ruined.
“The corruption and the referees didn’t allow us to be in the final. You have to say the truth.
“Brazil champions? No doubt. Sadly, I think it’s set up for Brazil. Hopefully the refs and VAR will have nothing to do with it and Peru will be able to compete because they have the team to do it. But I see it as difficult.”
MESSI also hinted that the red card he received was because of the comments he made against CONMEBOL after the semi final game.
There’s also a report that MESSI told his team mates in the changing rooms not to say anything and he would be the one to talk about the referees.
Sergio AGUERO and Paulo DYBALA both scored as Argentina defeated Chile 2-1 to win third place in the Copa America.
Much like the semi final against Brazil, this match had controversy. A lovely pass off a quick free kick by Lionel MESSI sent Sergio AGUERO one on one with the goalkeeper as AGUERO rounded the goalkeeper to score.
Argentina would double their lead just 10 minutes later when Gio LO CELSO played a great pass in for Paulo DYBALA who’s first touch took the ball away from the defender. DYBALA chipped the goalkeeper to double Argentina’s lead.
Lionel MESSI would be part of the controversy. After a confrontation with MEDEL of Chile, the referee sent off both men and refused to go to VAR. It’s only the second time in his Argentina career that MESSI would be sent off, the first coming in his national team debut.
Chile would score as the referee would use VAR to award them a penalty kick. VIDAL would score as Argentina would win 2-1 and secure third place.
Paulo DYBALA gets his first Copa America start for Argentina alongside Lionel MESSI and Sergio AGUERO.
Argentina will line-up with an attacking three which also sees Gio LO CELSO back in midfield against Chile. Here’s the starting eleven.
ARMANI; FOYTH, PEZZELLA, OTAMENDI, TAGLIAFICO; DE PAUL, PAREDES, LO CELSO; MESSI, AGUERO, DYBALA
Argentina still have six games left this calendar year outside of the Copa America with three of them confirmed and one rumored.
With news that Lionel SCALONI will be staying on until the end of the year, the coach knows that he has six games left this year, three of which will be against Germany, Chile and Mexico. Here is how it looks like for the rest of the year:
Thursday, September 5 vs. Chile: Los Angeles, California, United States
Tuesday, September 10 vs. Mexico: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Wednesday, October 9 vs. Germany: Dortmund, Germany
There are rumors that Argentina could play against Portugal in the second fixture list in October with two remaining games left in November.
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