LIONEL MESSI AND LIONEL SCALONI SET FOR KEY ARGENTINA MEETING

 Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is planning a key meeting with Lionel Messi before the end of 2023.

Under his leadership, Argentina won the Copa America title in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022, in the nation’s first respective triumphs in each tournament since 1993 and 1986.

However, he has admitted the strain is beginning to take its toll, claiming he needs time to think in the coming months, as he considers his options with La Albiceleste.

Sources:https://onefootball.com/en/news/lionel-messi-and-lionel-scaloni-set-for-key-argentina-meeting-38703443

Messi remains a key part of Scaloni’s squad, with the pair expected to remain in place for the Copa America in 2024, but the 2026 World Cup is a different situation.

Scaloni’s current deal runs until after that tournament, but he is keen to make changes in his squad, and wants to discuss his plans with captain Messi.

As per reports from ESPN, Scaloni has earmarked certain players he wants to remove from the squad, and will talk to Messi before making any firm decisions, with his desire focused on ensuring the team remains competitive at the highest level.

Sources:https://onefootball.com/en/news/lionel-messi-and-lionel-scaloni-set-for-key-argentina-meeting-38703443

2024 COPA AMÉRICA GROUP STAGE DRAW IN FULL

 The 2024 Copa America in the United States of America is just around the corner, and the group stage draw for the competition has been confirmed.

Here is what the groups will look like heading into 2024.

Group A

Argentina

Peru

Chile

(Winner of Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago)

Group B

Mexico

Ecuador

Venezuela

Jamaica

Group C

United States of America

Uruguay

Panama

Bolivia

Group D

Brazil

Colombia

Paraguay

(Winner of Honduras vs Costa Rica)

The competition will take place across 14 cities in the United States of America, and will play out through June 20th to July 14th.

Let us know in the comments which is the best group!

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Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/2024-copa-america-group-stage-draw-in-full-38688758

BRAZIL 'COULD FACE POINTS DEDUCTION' FOR ARGENTINA BRAWL BECAUSE OF FIFA RULE

 

Highlights

• The brawl during the Brazil vs. Argentina match may result in a points deduction for Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers, as per FIFA's Disciplinary Code.

• Lionel Messi and other players expressed concern for the safety of families in the stands during the incident, emphasizing the potential for tragedy.
• A points deduction could severely impact Brazil's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as they are currently in sixth place and struggling for form

The brawl that broke out inside the Maracana stadium during Brazil's match against Argentina could have massive aftershocks for the home side. According to reports, one FIFA rule means that Brazil could face a potential points deduction because of the incident.

The two nations renewed their feisty affair in a recent World Cup qualifying match, which saw Lionel Messi clash with Rodrygo. Argentina would eventually run out 1-0 victors, thanks to a goal in the 63rd minute from former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi, which handed Brazil a first defeat in a World Cup qualifying match at home.

However, the main headline news from the game came from an incident which occurred before the match even kicked off. There was chaos in the stands of the stadium as tempers flared between both sets of fans, with Emiliano Martinez and other players intervening as the police stepped in. The match was postponed for almost 30 minutes as Lionel Messi led the visiting squad from the field

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/brazil-could-face-points-deduction-for-argentina-brawl-because-of-fifa-rule-38608088

CROWD TROUBLE AT MARACANA MARS FAMOUS ARGENTINA VICTORY AGAINST BRAZIL

 World champions Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil was marred by crowd trouble at the Maracana Stadium.

Kick-off was delayed by half an hour in Rio de Janeiro after rival fans and police clashed, with both sets of players trying to calm the situation down before eventually returning to the dressing room before the game could commence.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was filmed trying to climb the hoarding to stop a police officer wielding a baton before being pulled away by team-mates.

Once the order was restored, Nicolas Otamendi’s second-half header gave Argentina an historic World Cup qualifying victory, with Joelinton sent off for the hosts.

Lionel Messi said on Argentina’s X feed: “This group continues to achieve historic things. Although today was not the most important, it is something very nice.

“We needed this victory after the defeat against Uruguay.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, similar to the one in the Copa America final. They pressed a lot, they went to look for us high up and it was difficult for us to have long possessions. These games are defined by details.”

It was Brazil’s first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifier and their third in a row after previous losses to Uruguay and Colombia, with their path to the 2026 World Cup looking decidedly shaky.

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/crowd-trouble-at-maracana-mars-famous-argentina-victory-against-brazil-38600641

BRAZIL VS ARGENTINA: LIONEL MESSI ACCUSES BRAZILIAN POLICE OF BRUTALITY AFTER FANS BLOODIED IN VIOLENT SCENES

 AFP via Getty Images

Alex Young @alexwsyoung

Lionel Messi has accused Brazilian police of brutality after clashes with fans before kick-off of Tuesday evening's World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on Tuesday

Both sets of fans started fighting during the national anthems, prompting police to attack the visiting Argentina fans with batons. Some Argentina fans responded by ripping up and throwing seats at the officers as other fans panicked and came onto the pitch to escape the fighting.

Police were also seen punching supporters and once Argentina fans with a bloodied face needed to be taken from the stadium on a stretcher.

Argentina captain Messi led a contingent of players to the stands in an attempt to defuse the situation, before leaving the pitch and returning to the dressing room.

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/brazil-vs-argentina-lionel-messi-accuses-brazilian-police-of-brutality-after-fans-bloodied-in-violent-scenes-38600585

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ARGENTINA MAKE HISTORY IN BRAZIL TO WIN BRUTAL MARACANÃ QUALIFIER

 Argentina snatched all three points in Brazil to reclaim top-spot in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying and become the first ever team to beat Brazil away from home in a World Cup qualifier.

Brazil - 0

Argentina - 1

Scorers: Otamendi 63′

Physicality reigned supreme in the opening 45 minutes after the start of the game was delayed by crowd trouble. Neither side appeared all-too keen to look for the opening goal, instead the game’s momentum was halted by continuous fouls.

According to Opta, the 22 fouls in the first half was the most in the opening interval of any South American Qualifier in the current campaign.

After the break, the deadlock was finally broken. After leaping high above the Brazil defence, Nicolás Otamendi headed the visitors into the lead to stun the Brazilian crowd.

As Brazil pushed to level the scoreline, their chances stuttered when Joelinton was sent off for a hand to the face of an Argentine player.

The hosts still carved out a few chances despite the numerical disadvantage, but the rock-solid Argentina rearguard stood up to the task.

A second straight loss for Brazil sees them remain in sixth place in the standings for now, just two points above the playoff zone.

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/argentina-make-history-in-brazil-to-win-brutal-maracana-qualifier-38600024