I’m not going to lie, it’s not easy to go from watching the Euro and Copa América finals to blanky staring at Costa Rica fight off Guadeloupe 3-1 in the Gold Cup. Concacaf’s skill level might not be that of UEFA and CONMEBOL, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t entertainment.
Lionel Messi’s first major international trophy for Argentina was a feel-good moment for the world. I don’t think soccer fans can take anymore Messi tears after losing in a final. The Argentina Copa América celebrations spanned across the globe and are worth watching — so long as you’re not Brazilian.
Pitbull may claim to be Mr. Worldwide, however, I don’t think he has the facilities to make the world go this crazy over him.
When the final whistle blew at the Maracanã on Saturday night, Argentina was confirmed as 2021 Copa América champion, bringing an end to the country’s 28-year wait for international glory, while Lionel Messi fell to his knees in triumphant elation.
RIO DE JANEIRO - Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni paid tribute to Lionel Messi on Saturday, praising his team captain and revealing he played in the Copa América win over Brazil with an injury.
"If you knew the way that he played in the Copa América you’d love him even more,” Scaloni told reporters after Argentina’s 1-0 win at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. “You can never do without a player like him, even when he is not fully fit like in this game and the previous one.”
Lionel Messi is finally a champion with Argentina. In his fifth major final in his 10th major tournament, Messi led La Albiceleste to a major international trophy, beating Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa América final on Saturday night at the Maracanã.
Maybe that will shut the naysayers up after years of hearing “yeah, but” when discussing Messi as the greatest player of all time.
And you could see what it meant to him, his teammates and his country.
¡Maracanazo consumado!
SAO PAULO — A "considerable number" of guests specially invited to watch the Copa America final between Brazil and Argentina have been faking false COVID-19 tests to ensure their entry, organisers the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Saturday.
The match between the two arch rivals is due to kick off on Saturday night at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Comunicado CONMEBOL
RIO DE JANEIRO — Europe might be waiting for England against Italy in Sunday's Euro 2020 showpiece, but there is an even bigger match to look forward to in South America as an older rivalry between two more successful teams kicks off in Saturday's Copa América final.
Brazil against Argentina is a true clasico. The teams first met in 1914 and in the years since have established themselves as two of the most storied sides in world soccer. Together they have won seven World Cups.
Tuesday’s Copa América semifinal between Argentina and Colombia was the Lionel Messi show for 90 minutes. But when the game went to a penalty shootout, the spotlight shifted to Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emi Martínez.
The Aston Villa keeper chirped the Colombian players to no end and saved three penalty kicks. Some absolute legend has now provided us inferior English-only speakers with an Emi Martinez trash talk translated video.
Given the number of major international soccer tournaments this summer, it’s easy to overlook the Gold Cup. Make no mistake: You absolutely should to pay attention to Concacaf’s premier competition. Here’s why you need to watch the 2021 Gold Cup and, just as importantly, how to watch Gold Cup matches on TV and streaming in the U.S.
When Lionel Messi announced his international retirement after missing in the penalty shootout defeat to Chile at the 2016 Copa América Final, he disappeared into the New Jersey night with the crushing final words: “For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion. It’s been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.”
It wasn’t.