Not the B Team, But the A Team! Yet Brazil Couldn’t Win, Costa Rica Seals a Draw; Colombia Secures a Victory
Florida: In the Copa America, the mighty Brazil was trapped in a draw. Costa Rica held Brazil to a draw in Group D. In another group match, Colombia overcame Paraguay with a score of two to one. Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma scored for Colombia. Julio Enciso scored the consolation goal for Paraguay. With the win, Colombia topped the group, leaving Brazil behind. Brazil had the upper hand against Costa Rica. In ball possession and shots, Brazil dominated. However, their lack of finishing troubled Brazil. With Costa Rican defense and goalkeeper standing firm, Brazil had to settle for a draw. Brazil took the lead in the 33rd minute through Marquinhos, but the goal was denied after a long VAR check. Without Neymar, Brazil struggled to find rhythm. Neymar was present in the stadium to watch the match. Despite fielding Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Raphinha in the attack, Brazil couldn’t score. Brazil took 19 shots, with only three testing the goalkeeper. Brazil had 74% possession of the ball. Brazil's next match is against Paraguay on the 29th. Colombia scored both goals in the first half against Paraguay. James Rodriguez set up both goals. Muñoz scored in the 32nd minute. Ten minutes later, Lerma doubled the lead. Paraguay found their consolation goal in the 69th minute.
New York: Argentine captain Lionel Messi turns 37 today. Messi, who has achieved all the milestones in his career, is celebrating this birthday while preparing to win another Copa America title. If the field is the altar of football, here the believers praise their Messiah. If you listen carefully, at this moment, a voice from beyond can be heard: "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Then the trumpet will sound. He will glide across the field, knowing every blade of grass. That flow is called Lionel Andrés Messi. If numbers apply to him, today he is thirty-seven years old. In his youth, Messi had a deficiency in growth hormones. Barcelona took on the cost of his treatment and brought the 13-year-old into their club. Football then became the medicine. He grew through it to reach every corner of the world.Even then, critics said there was still a height short of a world title. At thirty-five, he claimed that too. He became complete. 835 goals, a world title, Copa titles, Finalissima, eight Ballon d'Or awards, a career full of records. Just when we thought he had completed everything, he remains on the field. Continuing his magic for as long as he can. Without pressures, without the weight of expectations, with a smiling face, Messi is now in his new home. There, on July 15th, at the Hard Rock Stadium, he is preparing to host a birthday party for his fans. With a cup full of sweet nectar.
Copa America: Argentina Starts with a Win Against Canada, Messi's Team Misses Opportunities
New York: In Copa America football, defending champions Argentina started with a win. In the opening match, Argentina defeated newcomers Canada by two goals. After a goalless first half, Julian Alvarez scored in the 49th minute, and Lautaro Martinez scored in the 88th minute for Argentina.Despite missing several open chances, including those by captain Lionel Messi, Argentina's victory shine faded as they could have won by six goals. In the 80th minute, Messi, advancing alone from midfield with a ball pushed from the defense, missed an unbelievable opportunity as he shot wide with only the goalkeeper in front. Shortly after, Lautaro Martinez, receiving a ball from Messi's assist, also missed with only the goalkeeper to beat. Argentina created 15 chances in total and took nine shots on target, while Canada aimed at the Argentina goal only twice. Canada's goalkeeper Crepeau saved five certain goal chances. Though Argentina was worried when Messi got injured due to a foul by Canadian player Bombito in the final minutes, it was a relief that it wasn't serious.Argentina started with Julian Alvarez in the attacking lineup, benching Lautaro Martinez. In the 77th minute, Martinez replaced Alvarez and within 11 minutes, Alvarez scored Argentina's second goal in the 88th minute. Assisting Argentina's second goal, Messi became the first player to assist in seven consecutive Copa America tournaments. Messi also holds the record for the most assists (18) in Copa America.
Copa America Kicks Off Tomorrow, Argentina's Opponents Are Canada; No Way to Watch the Match in India
New York: In addition to the T20 World Cup and Euro Cup, the Copa America football tournament will start tomorrow in America, giving fans sleepless nights. In the first match of the tournament, held across 14 venues in the US, defending champions Lionel Messi's Argentina will face Canada. Four years ago, Messi’s journey to greatness was completed with the Copa America title. Despite achieving everything at the club level, the lack of an international title haunted him until he washed away the stain by defeating Brazil in the Maracanã three years ago with the Copa America title. Following the luck of the Copa, Messi and Argentina also kissed the Finalissima and the World Cup titles. Beyond the World Cup, Argentina starts their quest tomorrow to give Messi the shine of the Copa. Canada, ranked 49th in the FIFA rankings, is the opponent. Since the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Argentina has faced only one defeat in fourteen matches. Having won thirteen, it will be a Himalayan challenge for Canada to stop Argentina. As an invited guest, Canada is entering the Copa for the first time, having faced Argentina only once before in a friendly in 2010, which Argentina won by five goals.
Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, Porto’s Stephen Eustáquio, and Lille’s Jonathan David are the standout players in the Canadian squad. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni has no worries about his set team. In the final training session, Scaloni lined up the players in a 4-4-2 formation, almost finalizing the eleven. Emiliano Martínez as the goalkeeper, with Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, or Nicolás Otamendi in defense. In midfield, Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, with either Alexis Mac Allister or Enzo Fernández will get the opportunity. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are competing to partner with Messi in the attack.
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