Copa America

QATAR star Almoez Ali has become the first player to score in the Asian Cup, Copa America and Concacaf Gold Cup.The Al-Duhail striker, 24, made history earlier this week by completing the ultra-rare treble.
Almoez Ali has become the first player to score in the Asian Cup, Copa America and Gold CupCredit: Getty
The Qatar ace has now scored in the biggest international continental tournaments in Asia, South America and North-Central America.
Ali has scored 31 times in 63 games for the 2022 World Cup hosts since his debut in 2016.
But it’s his performances since 2019 that have really caught the eye.
That year, Ali blasted NINE goals at the Asian Cup to win the title – beating Japan 3-1 in the final.
A few months later, Qatar accepted the invitation to take part at the Copa America – taking on Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay in the group stage.
Qatar failed to win as they were sent home early, but did snatch a 2-2 draw with Paraguay – with Ali on the scoresheet.
Fast forward to the present and the nation are taking part in the Concacaf Gold Cup, along with the best teams in North America, Central America and the Carribean.
Qatar played their first match of the group stage this week – a 3-3 draw with Panama.
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The Gulf nation THRICE took the lead, only to be pegged back every time, ultimately settling for a point.
Ali scored Qatar’s second on the day to become the first player to score in the Gold Cup, Copa America and Asian Cup.
He will now attempt to extend his major tournament scoring spree next year, as Qatar host the 2022 World Cup.
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THE Copa America Team of the Tournament has been unveiled… with a star-studded attacking line-up.Lionel Messi helped inspire Argentina to the trophy to end the country’s 28-year wait for silverware with a narrow 1-0 win over Brazil.

Therefore it is no surprise to see four Argentina players make the grade including the legendary forward himself.
Messi, 34, topped the stats charts from the tournament including most goals, most assists, most key passes and most chances created.
Leading from the front, he is joined by Brazil’s Neymar and Colombia’s Luis Diaz.
Neymar scored twice in the tournament while Diaz was also named ‘Revelation of Copa America.’
The Porto ace scored twice as Colombia came third including a spectacular bicycle kick in the defeat with Brazil.
In midfield, it’s another Argentina and Brazil combo with Rodrigo De Paul and Real Madrid’s Casemiro.
Peru’s veteran Yoshimar Yotun, who plays for Mexican side Cruz Azul, is selected on the left side of midfield.
The defence sees Argentina’s Cristian Romero line up alongside Marquinhos with former Watford left-back Pervis Estupinan and Chile’s Mauricio Isla on the right.
Argentina were crowned Copa America champions with a win over BrazilCredit: The Mega Agency

Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez was selected between the sticks.
There was no place for Angel Di Maria who scored the only goal in Argentina’s final victory over rivals Brazil.
But how does it compare to Europe’s hotshots?
The Italians have been rewarded by having no fewer than five of their stars named in the best XI including Player of the Tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma.

England have three players in the side including Raheem Sterling, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker.
Denmark star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg joins Young Player of the Tournament Pedri, of Spain, in a three-man midfield.
Romelu Lukaku was given the nod as the best striker at the tournament ahead of the likes of Harry Kane.
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Messi celebrates and Neymar cries as Argentina win the Copa America 2021 1-0 after Di Maria goal More

ANGEL DI MARIA has revealed the extent of the damage he sustained on his ankle during Argentina’s Copa America final win.The PSG star, 33, scored the only goal of the game with a delicate lob over Manchester City’s Ederson.
Angel Di Maria’s ankle has ballooned in size since Saturday’s final
Di Maria was named the Man of the Match in the final
And although Di Maria sprained his ankle in the first half he continued playing until the 79th minute, and still put in the best performance on the pitch – winning the Man of the Match award.
He seems to have done lasting damage to his foot however, as it has now ballooned in size.
Wife Jorgelina Cardoso posted an image of Di Maria’s ankle on her Instagram story, showcasing the swelling and bruising.
The winger will spend the foreseeable future in recovery but was due a rest after the lengthy tournament.
And Di Maria can take consolation from the fact he scored the winning goal to secure Argentina’s first trophy in 28 years.
He was not the only Argentine to continue playing against Brazil with an injury either.
Captain Lionel Messi was plagued by hamstring issues during the tournament and played through the pain barrier at the Maracana according to manager Lionel Scaloni.
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Neither he nor Di Maria showed signs of a problem in their post-match celebrations.
Messi was singing and dancing on the pitch after the final whistle alongside the rest of his team-mates.
He also paraded the trophy around the dressing room as celebrations continued inside the famous stadium.
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LIONEL Messi said he’s sure Diego Maradona was cheering on Argentina from “wherever he is” in an emotional open letter about his country’s Copa America triumph.The dad-of-three, who enjoyed an emotional reunion with his stunning wife Antonela Roccuzzo after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brazil in the final, dedicated the achievement to the deceased football icon.
Messi dedicated Argentina’s Copa America win to Maradona and the country’s fansCredit: Rex
He reckons the nation’s icon Maradona was supporting them from beyond the graveCredit: Reuters
Messi also dedicated it to his family, friends and the millions of Argentinians that had to deal with Covid.
He shared the letter on Instagram alongside footage of his goals and assists during the tournament.
Messi, who’s a free agent after his contract with Barcelona expired, wrote: “It was an incredible cup.
“We know that we need to improve many things, but the truth is that the boys gave everything and I couldn’t be prouder of being lucky enough to be captain of this wonderful group.
“I want to dedicate this achievement to my family who always gave me the strength to continue.
“To my friends who I love so much, and to all the people who support us and especially the 45 million Argentinians who suffered so badly with this bloody coronavirus, above all those who suffered it personally.
“And of course this win also goes to Diego who I’m sure was cheering us on where ever he is.
“To be able to continue celebrating, we have to keep on looking after ourselves.
Messi captained Argentina to their first major trophy in 28 yearsCredit: AP

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“Let’s not forget there’s a long way to go still before we can return to normality and we can take advantage of this happiness to gain a bit more strength to fight together against this virus.
“Thank you God for everything you gave me and thank you for having made me Argentinian.”
Argentina won their first major title in 28 years on Saturday with Angel Di Maria’s first-half goal.
It was the first for Messi after a string of World Cup and Copa America final losses.

The 34-year-old is now expected to focus on contract negotiations with Barcelona, the team where he has played all his professional career.
He is said to be losing about £86,000 a day following his departure from the Catalan side.
Barca’s Manager Ronald Koeman says he has “full confidence” in president Joan Laporta’s ability to re-sign their star man despite the club’s financial crisis.
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Messi celebrates and Neymar cries as Argentina win the Copa America 2021 1-0 after Di Maria goal More

BRAZIL were almost a man down after two minutes of their Copa America final defeat, following a mad lunge from Fred.The Manchester United midfielder went in hard on Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel with Saturday’s final barely underway.
Fred did not enjoy the best of Copa America finals for BrazilCredit: Getty
Gonzalo Montiel’s ankle was left bloodied by the end of Argentina’s win
Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich chose to be lenient on the 28-year-old and hand out only a booking.
But River Plate defender Montiel was left with a nasty wound from the tackle.
Over the course of the game, his ankle became more and more bloodied – yet he played on nonetheless.
Argentine fans hailed the player as one of the heroes of their victory, provided by Angel Di Maria’s fine chip in the first-half.
La Albiceleste won their first major trophy since 1993, also a Copa America, having lost five finals before this Maracana triumph.
Fred was taken off at half-time for Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino as Brazil tried in vain to score a leveller.
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The midfielder had cemented his place in Tite’s starting XI during the tournament, playing six of his side’s seven games.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had praised Fred before the final, after he battled injury at the end of the season to make the Europa League showdown with Villarreal.
He said: “I have to put particular praise to Fred.
“I’ve got to say, at the end of the season, he got an injury in the last league game.

“We thought he wouldn’t make it for the final as he didn’t train the whole week before our own final, and he’s just put his head down and worked really hard. He trained the day before the final and came on and played.
“He’s just played throughout the summer and that’s some going. Some players with that injury wouldn’t be in training football now.
“He’s been a credit to Manchester United and himself in the way he’s conducted himself.”
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Messi celebrates and Neymar cries as Argentina win the Copa America 2021 1-0 after Di Maria goal More

LIONEL MESSI missed a sitter to wrap up the Copa America final for Argentina when he failed to convert from close range in the 88th minute.The 34-year-old’s blushes were eventually spared as Argentina held on to win the game 1-0 thanks to an Angel Di Maria strike, triumphing in the tournament for the first time since 1993.

Messi controlled the ball well and looked to be set to finish off the match
But he then got his feet in a mess and Ederson was able to snuff out the chance
But that did not take away from the surprise of Messi fluffing his lines from close range late on in the game.
The Barcelona superstar was found unmarked inside the penalty area after his teammate Rodrigo De Paul played a sumptuous through ball.
And with the crowd waiting for Messi to slot home and kill the game, everyone was left stunned when he somehow managed to get it caught underneath his feet.
Manchester City keeper Ederson dove on the ball to thwart Messi and keep Brazil’s slim hopes of equalising alive.
Reacting to the miss, one person said: “How Messi missed this sitter and he gets all the praise after Angel di Maria won the league for Argentina!”
And another simply added: “How did you miss that Messi?!?!?!”
The victory was Messi’s first major tournament triumph with his country.
And although Messi was thrilled with the outcome and celebrated by being thrown into the air by his team-mates, he still found time to console Neymar.

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The pair embraced surrounded by players, media and officials before Messi went to lift the trophy.
Afterwards, Messi sat with his former Barcelona teammate with his winners’ medal around his neck.
And he was able to cheer up Neymar, cracking a joke which had the Brazilian laughing.
Messi had previously lost three Copa America finals with Argentina in 2007, 2015 and 2016.
The Barcelona legend also reached the final of the World Cup in 2014, only for his side to be beaten 1-0 by Germany after extra time.
Messi celebrates and Neymar cries as Argentina win the Copa America 2021 1-0 after Di Maria goal More

LIONEL MESSI won his first trophy with Argentina on Saturday night as they beat Brazil 1-0 to lift the Copa America.The 34-year-old’s international achievement comes five years after Cristiano Ronaldo won the European Championships with Portugal.

Messi lifted the Copa America with Argentina following their win over BrazilCredit: EPA
Ronaldo led his Portugal side to glory at Euro 2016 despite getting injured in the finalCredit: Getty
But how do the two football legends compare when it comes to their overall medal hauls for both club and country?
Well, Messi has won ten domestic league titles in his career with Barcelona, three more than Ronaldo.
But the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man has his Argentine rival beat 5-4 when it comes to Champions League trophies.
Ronaldo has also won one more FIFA Club World Cups with four, but Messi leads 7-6 in domestic cup triumphs.
All things considered, Messi is currently one trophy in front of Ronaldo as their tallies stand at 25 and 24 respectively.
Despite the pair entering the final stages of their careers, they are both continuing to produce extraordinary performances.
Last season, Messi was the top scorer in LaLiga for the fifth successive campaign with 30 goals in 35 games for Barcelona.
And Ronaldo also finished top of the Serie A scorer charts with Juventus after netting 29 goals in 33 appearances.

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Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI
However, the only trophy that continues to elude both of them is the World Cup.
Messi reached the final with Argentina back in 2014 before being beaten after extra time by Germany.
Meanwhile, the closest Ronaldo has come was back in 2006 when Portugal were knocked out in the semi-finals by France.

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Messi celebrates and Neymar cries as Argentina win the Copa America 2021 1-0 after Di Maria goal More