Argentina knew that a win would put them in the driver's seat in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying
for Brazil 2014, and they took care of business with a relatively easy win over Paraguay on
Friday.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. --Â It may have only been a friendly and not a World Cup qualifier, but it
was still a game that will not be forgotten any time soon.
Argentina defeated archrivals Brazil, 4-3, in front of a record crowd of 81,994 at MetLife
Stadium on Saturday afternoon, riding a Leo Messi hat-trick that included a wonderful winner in the
final minutes of the South American clasico.
It took longer than expected, but Argentina finally had a reason to celebrate.
Argentina recorded its first win of the Copa America, topping Costa Rica, 3-0, on Monday night
in the final match of Group A. The victory advanced the albiceleste to the quarterfinals as it
finished in second place of the group with five points.
Argentina has an envious cast of players that most national teams would love to have, but that
collection of world-class talent once again failed to perform for the albiceleste.
Argentina tied Colombia, 0-0, on Wednesday night, leaving the albiceleste with two points from
two games.
Most of Europe's top leagues come to an end this weekend, so the final full-sized Argentines Abroad
of the year gets you ready for the remaining title run-ins in England and France, as well as
recapping the action from Spain ... Continue reading →
I  have had a very, very busy week indeed, which is why not much has shown up on HEGS during the
last few days, but here, prior to the beginning of the footballing weekend in Europe, is a quickÂ
Argentines Abroad catch-up ... Continue reading →
This week's Argentines Abroad is delayed slightly, but fortunately that means I can include  the
video of Lionel Messi's astonishing performance in the European Cup on Wednesday night, when he
became the first place in 32 seasons to score five goals ... Continue reading →
It's been a good while since the last lot of Argentines Abroad, partly because of the Claudio Yacob
exclusive on Tuesday night, partly because of an enormous storm in Buenos Aires over the last 24
hours which left me stranded ... Continue reading →
It's been another action-packed round of matches around the world, with Argentines once again
providing no shortage of highlights. Step this way for the latest on Lionel Messi's fine weekend
performance and some impressive contributions in Italy, Spain, France, Portugal ... Continue
reading →
Deadlines for previewing the final rounds of the 2011 Torneo Apertura have severely hampered my
style this week, so without further ado here's a quick catch-up in the main leagues covered by
Argentines Abroad. In England's Premier League, Sergio Agüero ... Continue reading →
The weekend just gone saw as many crucial contributions from Argentines as ever in the world's
biggest leagues, and a welcome return to form for the usual suspects in the Mexican league after
last week's no-show. With the usual contributions ... Continue reading →
This week's Argentines Abroad is late, thanks to the midweek round of matches here in Argentina
keeping me busy. Better late than never, though. As well as Lionel Messi's hat-trick in Barcelona's
8-0 demolition of Osasuna, we've got videos of ... Continue reading →
It was another packed weekend in which Argentines around the world had a big say in footballing
matters, so here's another dose of Argentines Abroad. Sergio AgĂĽero hit a hat-trick for Manchester
City, Fernando Belluschi for Porto and Javier Pastore ... Continue reading →
Sorry everyone. Sunday evening and the subsequent couple of days have been busy. Argentines AbroadÂ
will be online on Wednesday, but first things first: it's very late on Tuesday night here, and I've
still not put the Sunday goals and the ... Continue reading →
Esteban Cambiasso's goal against Serbia and Montenegro during World Cup 2006 was the
culmination of an amazing 25-man passing move culminating in the combative midfielder slammed the
ball home with aplomb.
This summer, In The Stands will trail through the football archives and bring together
the greatest goals and moments in football history as wet your appetite for the upcoming new
season.
The domestic football season has now come to an end across Europe, and also in Mexico. Argentines
have been key to the denouements of leagues and cups across western Europe, so here's the rundown
of who's won what from ... Continue reading →
This week saw confirmation on Tuesday that two Argentines Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta will
feature in next season's European Cup; at least assuming Tevez stays with Manchester City, who beat
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to confirm a top ... Continue reading →
News off the field has dominated the week for Milan with former President Silvio Berlusconi set to
retake his seat at the club, the rumour mill that has been spinning the names of two Argentines and
with the talk of Max Allegri apparently coming to terms with the club over an extension to his
current [.
Short, left-footed, technically gifted Argentines are a hot commodity in the world of football.
Beginning with the unrivaled trickery of Diego Maradona twenty years ago to the present day
footballing wizard that is Lionel Messi, there is something to the reputation that warrants
investigation. A third player in a similar mold has been brought to attention in recent weeks: a
superbly gifted.
Argentina is still not likely to go to the World Cup. At home, they did not manage to go beyond a
1-1 against the weakest side in South America, Bolivia, and the Argentines now only have 4 points
for three matches. It was a well-deserved trashing that the local fans gave Messi and Company, a
group of stars who should be in a circus rather than on a football pitch.
As Tim Howard returns to his native New Jersey, we look back on one of the finest performances of
his professional career for club and country.
On June 4, 2008, the U.S. faced No.1-ranked Argentina in front of nearly 80,000 fans. With the
skies opening up, Howard stood tall against Lionel Messi and the talented Argentines, making
several fine saves in en route to earning Budweiser Man of the Match honors.
News in the Express that new Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini is hoping the Newcastle captaincy
will assist him in regaining his place in the Argentina squad. Fabricio Coloccini - eyeing
Argentine return Coloccini was unlucky to be omitted from the Argentine squad for last summer's
World Cup but it looked like the Argentines could have [.
It may have been a draw, but it probably felt like a loss for Argentina.
Argentina kicked off the 43rd edition of the Copa America in unconvincing fashion at home on
Friday night, needing a spectacular finish from substitute Sergio Aguero to tie Bolivia, 1-1.
Argentina's #9, Gabriel Batistuta (aka Batigol) thought he stole the show midway
through the second half, however, it was Mexico's Benjamin Galindo who made things even with a cool
penalty, smoothly touching it past Sergio Goycochea, a keeper that made his reputation based on his
penalty-saving abilities.
Chelsea-Leverkusen (Stadium: Stamford Bridge, London): The Blues should win at
home, despite not being quite settled: seems like they're still adjusting to new manager Andre
Villas-Boas, the Fernando Torres situation is still unclear, especially after AVB sat him for the
entire match over the weekend; and it's same old guys at the core of the squad (Frank Lampard, John
Terry, Ashley Cole).
So I'm taking this chance to get a post out before my internet breaks again (this is the first
time in a bit I've had any.)
I took the opportunity to watch Tino play his (correct me if I'm wrong) first Argentina game
against Nigeria in Abuja mid-week. The line-up fielded by Los Albiceleste was largely
second-string, as most of the first teamers were rested with the Copa America in mind.
Twenty-two athletes, two goals, and one ball. In England, commentators refer to it as, "A Funny
Old Game," though for many that statement is far from sound. The game is football, futebol, or in
America, soccer. While Americans fervently follow gridiron, basketball, and baseball, none of these
games have changed international history or altered how society functions like soccer has.
Messi has won every possible tournament at his club, FC Barcelona. Argentina regularly produces
world class soccer players that excel in Europe. Argentina has also won two World Cups. So, the
question arises: why hasn't the pulga lifted any trophies with the
albiceleste?
With the possible absence of both teams' playmakers, the personnel and tactics chosen by coaches
Sigi Schmid and Frank Klopas are particularly important factors for the U.S. Open Cup final (10
p.m. ET, Fox Soccer.)
Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America reports on the coaches and teams that will be on display in
tonight's US Open Cup Final.
It seems like only yesterday I was posting my first thoughts via the tongue & cheek MLS
Manifesto. The major gripe? As a Kansas City Spurs, err Wiz, err Wizards, err Sporting, supporter,
I had grown up watching my heroes plod about in a cavernous and always empty American football
stadium, Arrowhead.
Argentina's Velez Sarsfield and Uruguay's Penarol each have a step into the semifinals of the Copa
Libertadores after their shutout wins in the home legs of their quarterfinal ties.
Santos, the lone Brazilian team remaining in the field, got a vital away victory in Colombia,
and Mexico's Jaguares needed a little English flavor to equalize at the last minute in this week's
other first-leg quarterfinal matches.
