Lionel Messi produced a masterclass with two goals and an assist as he made history in Argentina s 4-1 victory over Bolivia at the Copa America.
Messi became Argentina s all-time record appearances holder after surpassing former team-mate Javier Mascherano with his 148th international cap in Cuiaba on Monday.
On the field, Messi was in magical form as he scored twice to take his internationally tally to 75, while creating the opener in a devastating first-half display in Argentina s final Group A fixture.
Messi somehow scooped the ball to Alejandro Gomez, who finished on the volley in the sixth minute, before the six-time Ballon d Or winner stepped up to covert a 33rd-minute penalty and then beat Carlos Lampe with a superb lob nine minutes later.
¡Se …
Charlie Austin gave Ralph Hasenhuttl his first victory in charge of Southampton and ruined Arsenal s 22-game unbeaten run with an 85th-minute winner in a 3-2 triumph on Sunday.
Danny Ings and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both hit braces before Bernd Leno came and missed Shane Long s cross to allow substitute Austin to head the hosts to their first victory in 15 outings.
Much of the build-up centred on the role Laurent Koscielny, starting his first top-flight match since April, would play in stabilising a makeshift three-man defence, yet it was he who twice lost Ings for a pair of first-half headers.
Mkhitarayan replied with one of his own before the break and levelled for the second time with a deflected 53rd-minute shot, but the Gunners second-half fightback stopped …
Spain coach Luis Enrique sees plenty of room for growth in Barcelona star Pedri, suggesting he can improve everything .
Pedri announced himself on the international stage at Euro 2020, where he made the most final-third passes (177), before achieving the same tournament-leading feat with the Under-23 squad at the Tokyo Olympics (83).
The midfielder also started in the 2-1 friendly win over Albania on Saturday, his 11th consecutive appearance under Luis Enrique without losing for Spain, only Jose Gaya (15) boasts a longer such streak.
Former La Roja midfielder Cesc Fabregas heaped praise on the 19-year-old, in an interview with Marca, while praising Barca head coach Xavi for trusting Pedri when others may favour a more combative player.
Luis Enrique …
Lazio are working hard at the moment on re-signing Felipe Anderson from West Ham, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Brazilian winger joined the Hammers from Lazio back in 2018 for a reported fee of around £35 million. He was very prominent for the Premier League side during his first season in East London, starting 36 league games. However, he gradually lost his place in the starting XI over the course of 2019-20, and it s become quite obvious that manager David Moyes isn t counting on him anymore.
The 28-year-old spent last season at FC Porto on loan, but even there he sat out most matches on the bench or was left out of the squad completely. He is now due back at the London Stadium, but West Ham are apparently prepared to cut his contract 12 months short in order to …
Despite reports to the contrary, Leicester City have denied that they have sacked manager Nigel Pearson.
Leicester City have moved to deny reports manager Nigel Pearson has been sacked.
Speculation on Sunday suggested Pearson had been removed from his post at the King Power Stadium, with the club sitting bottom of the Premier League.
However, the Midlands club have stressed those rumours are of no substance.
A statement on Leicester s official website read: Leicester City Football Club would like to clarify its position relative to its manager, Nigel Pearson.
Contrary to media speculation on Sunday evening, Nigel remains the club s first team manager. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate and without foundation.
Nigel, his staff a…
Despite taking the lead against Denmark through Harry Kane in the 18th minute, England failed to stay ahead for long and dropped two points due to an equalizer by Morten Hjulmand in the 34th.
Before the match, Denmark fans taunted their English counterparts in the streets of Frankfurt.
England, England, it s never coming home
Danish fans clearly expressing their feelings before the match against England
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt)
…
AC Milan forward Jeremy Menez has become the subject of interest from former club Monaco, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.
The Rossoneri may be forced to sell the Frenchman in order to raise money for new signings and the Principality club seem ready to pounce.
Il Corriere dello Sport has suggested that Monaco are readying an official proposal believed to be worth between €10m and €12m.
Jeremy Menez enjoyed two successful years at Stade Louis II before joining AS Roma in the summer of 2008 and he is currently coming off the most productive season in his career.
The 28-year-old is AC Milan s top goalscorer having netted 16 times in 33 league outings, but his long-term future at San Siro is clearly in doubt.
Few more top clubs are showing …
Xavi insists there is no problem with referee Gil Manzano taking charge of Barcelona s Copa del Rey quarter-final with Real Sociedad.
Manzano was the official who showed Robert Lewandowski a red card when Barca faced Osasuna in LaLiga in November, before including mention of a gesture the Polish striker made when leaving the pitch in his report, which landed Lewandowski a three-match ban.
Speaking ahead of the Blaugrana s home game against La Real, Xavi was relaxed about involving his top scorer with Manzano in the middle.
There is no problem. Let it go unnoticed, he told reporters on Tuesday. We hope it will be a pleasant match. Robert is a professional who will be aware of the game, which we can control.
I always tell [the players] to forget about the…
European football’s governing body has announced that no UEFA competition matches will be played in Israel until further notice.
Israel’s national teams and club sides Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are both competing in Europe, must find alternative venues outside the country to fulfil their UEFA fixtures.
The announcement comes amid the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict, which was sparked earlier this month by an attack on Israeli citizens by Hamas militants.
A UEFA statement read: “After a thorough evaluation of the current safety and security situation in the whole territory of Israel, the UEFA Executive Committee decided that no UEFA competition matches shall be played in Israel until further notice.
Latest updates from on competit…
Xavi labels Rashford as ´one of most dangerous players in Europe´ ahead of crunch Europa League clas
Xavi warned Barcelona they must deal with one of the most dangerous players in Europe in Marcus Rashford when they host Manchester United on Thursday.
The two European heavyweights will face off in the Europa League at Camp Nou in the first leg as the pair bid for a place in the last 16.
Runaway LaLiga leaders Barca have been in fine form, winning 11 straight games in all competitions since the start of 2023 ahead of the high-profile clash in UEFA s secondary club competition.
But the Blaugrana will have to deal with the in-form Rashford, who has scored 13 times in 15 games since the World Cup, and Xavi acknowledged the danger the England international will pose.
In the transition he is very, very dangerous, so we need to take care of all of them but esp…