FOOTBALL
Messi becomes South America’s all-time top scorer
Lionel Messi has surpassed yet another milestone in his illustrious career as he became the highest-scoring male footballer in CONMEBOL history after scoring a hat-trick against Bolivia.
The Paris Saint-Germain star scored all three goals in Argentina’s 3-0 home win at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
In doing so, Messi moved past Brazil legend Pele in the all-time scoring list. The Argentine currently has 79 goals to his name, while Pele had 77 under his belt when he hung up his Selecao colors.
However, it has taken Messi 153 matches to overcome Pele, who had played only 92 matches for Brazil before retiring.
Messi’s hat-trick
The Argentina captain opened his scoring in style as he frisked through the Bolivia backline, found a pocket of space, and beat the goalkeeper from the edge of the d-box.
The timer on the scoreboard read only 14 minutes then.
Thanks to the early lead, Argentina took control of the match and started probing for a second one.
In the 64th minute, the hosts got a two-goal cushion. Unsurprisingly, it was Messi who found the back of the net again.
Messi exhibited exquisite footwork once again to find his way through a jam-packed Bolivia d-box. He linked up with Lautaro Martinez to unlock the Bolivian defense and finished off the move.
Messi piled up on the misery of the visitors as he added a third in the 88th minute.
Carlos Lampe made a save only to steer the ball towards the path of Messi, who made no mistake from the close range to make it 3-0.
Live audience
The match was the first Argentina match played in front of an audience since the Covid restrictions were imposed.
The Argentina team brought the Copa America trophy, which they had won a few months ago, to the stadium and lifted it in front of 21,000 Albiceleste fans.
Because of the surge of coronavirus cases in Argentina back in July, Messi and his teammates couldn’t celebrate the trophy with their fans.
It’s the first international title Argentina has won in 28 years, so emotions ran high inside the Estadio Monumental as the Copa America champions danced and sang in joy alongside their loyal fans.
Argentina in second place
The win placed Argentina second in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying stage with 18 points in 8 matches.
Brazil, who beat Peru 2-0 the same day, occupies the top spot with 24 points in 8 matches.
Third place Uruguay has 15 points in 9 matches.
Brazil and Argentina have played a match less since the Superclasico between the two teams got canceled because of Covid protocol breach.
FIFA is yet to decide whether or not the match will be replayed.
However, reports suggest Argentina might be awarded the whole three points.
The teams finishing top four in the CONMEBOL region World Cup qualifiers will get direct entry to the 2022 World Cup.
The fifth team will have to participate in a play-off tie against the Oceania zone champions.
FOOTBALL
Pep Guardiola Shoulders Responsibility for Manchester City Loss to United
Pep Guardiola blames himself! Pep Guardiola took full responsibility for Manchester City’s disappointing 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, admitting he “was not good enough.” The loss came in a closely contested derby that saw United capitalize on critical moments, leaving City to rue missed opportunities. Guardiola’s tactical decisions have come under scrutiny, with some analysts suggesting changes in formation or lineup may have been necessary to counter United’s gameplay.
Speaking to the press, Guardiola emphasized that the blame for the defeat lies with him. “I’m not good enough. I didn’t make the right decisions today,” he said, reflecting on the team’s performance. City started strongly, controlling possession and creating early chances, but United’s resilience and counterattacking strategy ultimately sealed the match in their favor. Pep Guardiola blames himself!
The result leaves Manchester City trailing in the league standings, with increasing pressure to secure consistent wins to stay competitive in the title race. Guardiola, however, remained optimistic, urging his squad to learn from the loss and focus on upcoming matches. Meanwhile, United celebrated a crucial victory that solidified their standing as strong contenders this season.
Fans and pundits alike are debating Guardiola’s admission, as City look to bounce back in their next fixture.
FOOTBALL
Bengaluru FC Aim to Leverage Home Advantage to End FC Goa’s Winning Streak
In the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) fixture, Bengaluru FC is set to host FC Goa at the Kanteerava Stadium, hoping to end Goa’s impressive unbeaten streak and claim a crucial three points. With Bengaluru’s strong home record, they look to exploit the advantage of playing in front of their passionate supporters to halt Goa’s momentum.
Bengaluru FC, who have been inconsistent this season, will be aiming to regroup and put their best foot forward in this clash. Their attacking options, led by the experienced Sunil Chhetri, will be key as they face one of the most solid sides in the league. Despite their inconsistency, Bengaluru will be looking to ride the wave of support from their home crowd and create the chances needed to break down Goa’s defense.
On the other hand, FC Goa comes into this match riding high on confidence, having remained unbeaten for a considerable stretch. Their well-balanced squad, with notable players like Edu Bedia and Jorge Ortiz, have been a force to reckon with. Goa’s fluid passing game and lethal counter-attacks have made them a tough opponent this season, and they will be keen to extend their winning run.
Bengaluru FC’s defense will be tested as FC Goa’s potent attack looks to exploit any gaps in the backline. Bengaluru’s defense, led by the experienced Juanan and the dynamic Sandesh Jhingan, will need to remain sharp and organized to limit Goa’s chances. If Bengaluru can shut down the creative outlets of Goa, they stand a good chance of taking the upper hand in this high-stakes encounter.
With both teams needing points for different reasons, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. Bengaluru FC is looking to put their recent struggles behind them, while FC Goa is keen on extending their unbeaten run. As the match approaches, the battle between Bengaluru FC’s home advantage and FC Goa’s unstoppable momentum is sure to capture the imagination of fans.
FOOTBALL
‘They have to be favourites’ – Liverpool ‘perfect’ in Champions League
Liverpool’s impeccable start to the season has made them strong contenders for the Champions League. After securing a place in the knockout rounds with a win over Girona, they’ve maintained a perfect European record.
Rio Ferdinand praised their momentum, highlighting their position as favorites based on form, though he cautioned that freshness, particularly for key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, will be crucial. Stephen Warnock echoed this sentiment, noting that Liverpool is a formidable opponent in both the Premier League and Champions League.
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