Sports

JUST IN: Messi’s Masterclass Takes Argentina To World Cup Final

Published

2 years ago

December 13, 2022

An inspired Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez struck twice as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to reach their second World Cup final in eight years.

The two-times world champions, backed by a huge majority of the crowd at the Lusail Stadium, produced their best display of the tournament to ensure they will meet the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final clash between holders France and Morocco in Sunday’s final.

Messi, 35, who suffered a defeat to Germany in 2014 final, is desperate to crown his extraordinary career by winning his first World Cup and bringing Argentina a third title to add to those won in 1978 and 1986.

And after getting his team on the way to victory with a perfectly struck first-half penalty he made sure of the win by brilliantly creating the third goal.

Croatia, runners-up in Russia four years ago, paid the price for some untypically poor defending as they went out in the last four for the second time after their 1998 loss to France in their maiden tournament.

It was not until the 25th minute when the game showed signs of life with a low pot shot from outside the box by Enzo Fernandez but Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic did well to get across and keep it out.

It was a tight affair but then a simple lofted ball over the top from Fernandez caught out the Croatian defence, Alvarez latched on to it, knocking the ball past the advancing Livakovic who collided with the striker and Italian referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot.

Livakovic guessed correctly that Messi would go to his left but his dive was in vain as the Argentine’s sweetly struck drive flew high into the net to put his side 1-0 up in the 34th minute.

It was Messi’s fifth goal of the tournament, making him joint top-scorer with France’s Kylian Mbappe. His 11th career goal — in a record-equalling 25th World Cup appearance — also took him past Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time World Cup top scorer.

Five minutes later, Argentina doubled their lead when, after a break from a corner, Alvarez picked the ball up inside his own half and began a long dribble goalwards.

With the Croatian defence backing off, Alvarez rode weak challenges from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa and then slipped the ball past Livakovic to send the heavily Argentine crowd into delirium.

Alexis Mac Allister then went close with an angled header from a corner, forcing a fine save out of Livakovic to avoid a third.

All Croatia could muster in response, before the break, was a low Juranovic cross-shot that Emiliano Martinez reacted well to.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic responded with a double substitution at the break, introducing Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic, and five minutes later and threw on striker Bruno Petkovic.

They were positive moves but still Argentina looked the more dangerous with Messi, after a swift exchange with Fernandez, forcing a save at the near post.

Messi saved his best for last though, tormenting Josko Gvardial down the right before leaving the 20-year-old defender behind and pulling the ball back to Alvarez who coolly slotted home.

Croatia were finished but it was clear that Argentina and Messi are peaking just in time for the biggest game of their lives.

AFP

Sports

Arsenal Release Names Of 20 Players To Be Offloaded This Summer [Full List]

Published

4 days ago

June 4, 2025

Editor

Arsenal release names of 20 players to be offloaded this summer [Full list]
Arsenal have released the names of 20 players set to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer following the expiration of their contracts on June 30.

The list includes individuals from the men’s senior team, under-21s, under-18s, and the women’s squad. These departures are part of the club’s annual end-of-season review and include players who have represented Arsenal across various levels.

Full List of Departing Players

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
Reece Clairmont
Khayon Edwards
Jakai Fisher
Romari Forde
Teyah Goldie
Jimi Gower
Jack Henry-Francis
Lina Hurtig
Amanda Ilestedt
Jorginho
Max Kuczynski
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand
Ismail Oulad M’Hand
Neto
Brian Okonkwo
Elian Quesada-Thorn
Zacariah Shuaib
Raheem Sterling
Kieran Tierney

While many of the exits from the women’s team had been previously confirmed, this update provides a full overview of all players moving on.

Arsenal noted that the contracts of Chloe Kelly, Thomas Partey, and Michal Rosiak are due to expire in June 2025.

However, the club revealed that discussions are ongoing with these players, and further updates will be provided once decisions have been finalised.

Sports

Man City Agree Fee With AC Milan For Midfielder Reijnders

Published

4 days ago

June 4, 2025

Editor

Manchester City have agreed a deal with AC Milan for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders — their first major signing of the summer transfer window, reports said Wednesday.

The deposed Premier League champions are set to pay 55 million euros ($63 million) for the 26-year-old, who is understood to have agreed a five-year contract, with the formalities yet to be finalised.

City hope to complete the deal for the Netherlands international in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which kicks off on June 14.

Sports

Messi, Inter Miami Fight Back For 3-3 Draw At Philadelphia

Published

2 weeks ago

May 25, 2025

Editor

Inter Miami fought back from 3-1 down to grab a 3-3 draw at MLS Eastern Conference leaders the Philadelphia Union on Saturday thanks to a stoppage-time leveller from substitute Telasco Segovia.

Israeli forward Tai Baribo scored twice for Philadelphia to give them the two goal advantage but Lionel Messi gave Miami hope with an 87th-minute free-kick before Venezuelan Segovia dramatically grabbed the point.

Quinn Sullivan, called up this week by Mauricio Pochettino to the US national team squad, fired Philadelphia ahead in the seventh minute with a sweet strike after Miami’s defence had failed to close down.

Baribo made it 2-0 with an instinctive finish in the 44th minute as Miami’s defensive troubles continued.

The visitors got a foothold in the game in the 60th minute when Noah Allen floated in a cross from the left which was met by a firm header from Argentine Tadeo Allende.

But Philadelphia restored their two-goal cushion when, from a long throw, Miami were unable to clear and Jean-Jacques Danley pounced on the loose ball and Baribo fired home.

Messi beat Union keeper Andrew Rick with a characteristically well driven free-kick for his sixth goal of the season three minutes from the end of regulation time to set up a frantic finale.

Jovan Lukic hit the bar from inside the box early in stoppage time as Philly looked to wrap-up the win but they were left crestfallen in the fifth minute of stoppage time when, after good work from Messi, Segovia pounced and blasted home.

There was still time for one more chance but an unmarked Danley, who had an outstanding game in midfield, somehow headed wide from close range.

While the result was a welcome sign of character from Miami, they remain with just one win in their past eight games in all competitions having conceded 23 goals.

Javier Mascherano’s side are sixth in the Eastern Conference and the former Barcelona and Argentina midfielder praised his team’s response.

“We showed character, personality. It was another difficult start of the game for us because in the beginning we conceded the goal… but the guys showed they want want to fight to get out of this situation,” said the Miami coach.

“We are in a bad trend, but with a lot of spirit to come back to be the team we were at the beginning of the season,” he added before demanding better from his back line.

“We cannot concede every single corner kick and every single throw in and give opponents opportunities to score… we need to be more focused in those situations,” Mascherano said.

USA forward Patrick Agyemang had scored twice for Dean Smith’s Charlotte but Malte Amundsen looked to have earned the Columbus Crew a point before Spaniard Pep Biel grabbed a 75th-minute winner for a 3-2 triumph.

Mexican star Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano’s stoppage-time header earned San Diego a 2-1 victory over the winless defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy.

Former Arsenal and France striker Olivier Giroud’s 77th-minute goal earned Los Angeles FC a 2-2 draw at Montreal while Duncan McGuire’s first league goal of the season gave Orlando a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers.

Argentine Max Urruti’s 84th-minute goal gave the New England Revolution a 3-3 draw at Sporting Kansas City after the visitors had let an early 2-0 lead slip.