The South Americans dominated from the start, with Alejo Sarco opening the scoring early before Maher Carrizo doubled the lead from a free kick following a foul by Nasiru Salihu.

Carrizo struck again shortly after the restart, making it 3-0, while Matheus Silvetti sealed the victory with a fourth goal after beating the offside trap.

The defeat ended Nigeria’s campaign, having advanced from the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

Read Also: Flying Eagles Kick Off FIFA U20 World Cup Campaign Against Norway

The result also saw Argentina avenge their previous elimination by Nigeria in the last edition of the tournament.

Source: Thecable

The post Flying Eagles Crash Out of U-20 World Cup After Heavy Defeat to Argentina appeared first on Afinju FM.

This is following US President Donald Trump’s executive order last month to pull the United States out of the global health group.

Trump, who Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei considers a close ally, moved to exit the organization on his first day in office on January 20.

It was gathered that Milei ordered Argentina’s withdrawal because of deep differences regarding the WHO’s management of health issues.

Read Also: Trump signs order to pull US from WHO

According to the presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, notable among the issues was the COVID-19 pandemic, citing Argentina’s months-long lockdown under the previous leftist government.

Adorni also cited a lack of independence from the political influence of other states.

Recall that Trump had similarly said that the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises and that it required unfairly onerous payments from the United States, its biggest funder.

The post Argentina moves to withdraw from WHO after US exit appeared first on Afinju FM.

The defending Copa champions will face the winners of Wednesday’s semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia in what will be a highly anticipated final in Miami on Sunday.

The 15-times Copa champions produced their best display of the tournament in front of a capacity crowd at the 82,500 MetLife Stadium and as in their 2022 World Cup triumph they look to be peaking at the perfect moment.

Canada, who surprised many by reaching the last four in their first Copa America appearance, can take great credit for their run in the tournament but Messi and company were simply a step too far.

Marsch’s side had progressed by hitting teams with high-energy football straight out of the gate but after an early opening for left-winger Jacob Shaffelburg, who fired wide after cutting in from the flank, the South Americans took control and never gave it up.

Angel Di Maria, the veteran wide-man playing in his final tournament for his country, was seeing plenty of the ball down the right and he offered an early warning of his threat when he picked out Messi with a ball inside which the forward flashed just wide of the post.

But it was Rodrigo De Paul who was to create the breakthrough in the 22nd minute, picking the ball up on the halfway line, taking a quick glance up and then lofting the ball over the top to Julian Alvarez.

The Manchester City forward recalled to the starting line-up ahead of Lautaro Martinez, delivered a deft first touch that took him away from Moises Bombito and gave him just enough room to drive the ball home.

The classy triangle of Di Maria, Messi and De Paul, was a constant source of danger for Canada’s back line and the former threatened a second with a chip from the right which floated over the bar.

The assuredness of Argentina’s build-up play reflects the confidence of coach Lionel Scaloni’s team, a well-drilled unit but one that never allows their organisational solidity to dominate over their creativity.

Two minutes before the break, former Real Madrid winger Di Maria provided a slide-rule pass to Messi, who worked himself space for a shot on his right foot, but he was narrowly wide of Max Crepeau’s right-hand post.

Canada’s American coach Marsch had plenty of work to do at the interval if he was to find a way of getting his team back on level terms and any strategy went out of the window when the world champions doubled their lead, just six minutes after the restart.

It was not until the final minutes though that Canada were able to trouble Emiliano Martinez with substitute Tani Oluwaseyi forcing the keeper into action after some sloppy defending.

But it was a comfortable victory for Scaloni’s men and one which leaves them one win away from a record 16th Copa America triumph.

The post Argentina see off Canada to reach Copa America final appeared first on Afinju FM.

Messi missed the opening penalty, chipping against the bar, but thanks to heroics from Martinez, Argentina recovered to win the shoot-out 4-2 and progress into the semi-finals where they will face the winner of Friday’s match between Venezuela and Canada.

Messi’s botched ‘panenka’ brought back memories of his miss in the shoot-out loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa final but luckily for him goalkeeper Martinez was in the mood to repeat his own past.

He pulled off superb diving saves to deny Angel Mena and Alan Minda and get his team in front before Nicolas Otamendi slotted home the decisive fourth kick.

It was a major scare for the tournament favourites but not for the first time they had their goalkeeper to thank for the relief of victory.

Martinez had saved three spot-kicks in a 3–2 penalty shootout victory for Argentina over Colombia in the semi-final of the 2021 Copa America and famously saved two in the World Cup final win against France in Qatar.

Ecuador were left crestfallen after a match in which they had created enough opportunities to have won the game.

Felix Sanchez’s team made a bright start, dominating the ball in midfield and stretching the Argentine defence at times.

Moises Caicedo had an early opportunity, latching on to a header from Enner Valencia, but his shot was tame and easily dealt with by Argentine keeper Martinez.

Then Moises Caicedo threaded a clever pass through to the impressive Jeremy Sarmiento but Martinez was out quick to save with an outstretched foot and Kendry Paez blasted the loose ball over the bar.

Argentina gradually got a foothold in the game but it was not until the 28th minute that they had their first opening when Enzo Fernandez headed wide a Nahuel Molina cross from the right.

Seven minutes later, they had the lead however, Messi driving in a corner which Alexis Mac Allister met at the near post with a flick-on and Lisandro Martinez arrived with a powerful header that Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez was unable to keep out.

Fernandez soon had a chance to double the lead but fired a left-foot shot wide at the back post and Argentina went in at the break with a single goal lead.

Ecuador were given a lifeline in the 62nd minute when Rodrigo De Paul was ruled to have handled inside the box but Valencia’s penalty struck the outside of the post.

But in stoppage time, Ecuador stunned the 15-times Copa champions when Kevin Rodriguez glanced in a header from a John Yeboah cross.

There was a VAR review, looking at whether Jordy Caicedo had interfered in an offside position at the back post but the goal stood.

Moments later Jordy Caicedo had a great chance to win the game but he glanced a left-wing cross wide from a great, central position.

That meant the drama of a penalty shoot-out and the chance to upset the defending champions slipt away.

The post Martinez Saves Messi Blushes As Argentina Reach Copa America Semis appeared first on Afinju FM.

Messi joined the MLS side last year as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner won a first major piece of silverware with the team last season in the Leagues Cup.

The Argentine international has fired Inter Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference standings in the current campaign.

This has led to Aguero, who played on international level with Messi, to tell Stake.com: “I think they would win the league.

“They have Messi who is the GOAT, and with him, even winning the Premier is possible.”

Source : Daily Post

The post Aguero claims Messi, Inter Miami could win Premier League title appeared first on Afinju FM.