Author: admin

Edinson Cavani found his name on the scoresheet as Uruguay eased to victory over Bolivia in the group stage of the 2021 Copa America on Thursday. The Manchester United striker scored from a Facundo Torres cross in the 79th minute to make sure there was no coming back for Bolivia. Uruguay had taken the lead in the first half courtesy of an own goal when Bolivia defender Jairo Quinteros turned in Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s cross into his own net after 40 minutes. This win has guaranteed the record Copa America winners safe passage into the quarterfinals. This has also ascertained that Bolivia will be the team missing out on the quarterfinals from Group A. Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay will be going through but barring Chile, the other three teams still have to play their final game to determine their final placings. This will directly impact who they face in the quarterfinals of the Copa America. No one wants to finish fourth in Group A as that would mean facing defending champions and hosts – Brazil. Uruguay need to beat Paraguay in the final game to move ahead of them in the table and that means Paraguay simply need to avoid defeat to finish ahead of the 15-time CONMEBOL Copa America winners. The result ended a five-game winless streak for Uruguay and they will be keen to push on...

Brazil made it three wins out of three in the group stage of the Copa America with a last-minute victory over Colombia on Wednesday night. Brazil and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro nodded home the winner in the 10th and final minute of stoppage time in an entertaining game that saw Colombia take the lead early on. Luis Diaz opened the scoring for the visitors with a stunning acrobatic kick after 10 minutes to push Brazil on the back foot. However, it was Brazil that dominated after that but failed to convert any of their chances. Neymar hit the post and the Brazilians could not find a way past a rugged Colombian defence. Controversy the biggest talking point Then controversy struck. The ball hit the referee but he allowed play to go on as Brazil themselves had the ball. Some of the Colombians had stopped playing and that led to the Brazilians finding the equaliser thanks to a header by Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino in the 78th minute. There were massive protests from the Colombian players who were absolutely fuming. The new rule states that if the ball hits the referee then the play is dead. The referee is then supposed to resume the game with a dropped ball from the spot where he came in contact with the ball. As per the new rules, play should not have been...

Peru produced a fantastic comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ecuador in Group B of the 2021 Copa America in Brazil. Gianluca Lapadula inspired Peru to a second-half comeback as they fought back from a two-goal halftime deficit to come away with a crucial point against Ecuador in the Copa America on Wednesday. Both teams can still qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament. Ecuador have two points from three games while Peru have four. Both teams have just one game left to play at the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa America. Ecuador are one of only two teams never to have won the Copa America. They started the match beautifully to lead Peru 2-0 at half-time. Renato Tapia ended up scoring an own goal from Pervis Estupinan’s cross midway through the first half and then Ayrton Preciado scored just before halftime to put the Ecuadorians in a comfortable spot. Preciado got on the end of a Damian Diaz freekick and put the ball past a helpless Pedro Gallese. Lapadula, the Italian-Peruvian who represented Italy before choosing the country of his mother’s birth, proved to be the difference-maker as a spirited Peru fought back. He opened his international account just four minutes after the break when he connected on a pass from Christian Cueva to fire home. Five minutes later, Lapadula turned creator when he ran on to...

Portugal 2-2 France Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the all-time international goalscoring record as defending champions Portugal drew with France to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2020. Ronaldo scored his 108th and 109th goals for his country to equal Ali Daei’s record set with Iran. The former Bayern Munich striker took to Instagram to congratulate the Portugal captain on achieving the landmark: “Congratulations to Cristiano who is now one goal away from breaking the men’s international goal scoring record.”     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ali Daei (@alidaei)   “I am honoured that this remarkable achievement will belong to Ronaldo – great champion of football and caring humanist who inspires and impacts lives throughout the world. Vamos!” Benzema vs Ronaldo Ronaldo scored a goal each in the first and second half, both from the penalty spot. However, on his special night, it was a former Real Madrid teammate who spoiled the party. Striker Karim Benzema broke a six-year goal drought with France to also score twice and ensure Les Bleus secured the top spot in Group F of Euro 2020. Ronaldo gave Portugal the lead after Hugo Lloris fouled Danilo as he attempted to punch away a cross at the half-hour mark. Benzema equalised from the penalty spot himself just before half-time after Nelson Semedo fouled Kylian Mbappe. Benzema then gave France the...

Germany 2-2 Hungary In a game that had a wave of emotions and really took everyone through a rollercoaster of a ride, it was Germany who prevailed in the final game of Group F at Euro 2020. Hungary took an unexpected lead after just 11 minutes through Adam Szalai. He scored a wonderful header from a peach of a cross by Roland Sallai. At this point in time, Hungary were the ones going through in second place from the Group of Death, with Germany set to finish in last. The first half ended with Hungary keeping their lead in tact and they kept the Germans at bay in a solid performance. However, in the second half, Germany were relentless and found the equaliser through Kai Havertz. Mats Hummels’ header found its way to Havertz who was a few inches from goal and he just nodded the ball in with the slightest of touches. Havertz was immediately substituted off for Thomas Mueller who was deemed to be not fit enough to start the game following a knee injury scare. German fans breathed a sigh of relief at this point as they had then moved into second place in Group F of Euro 2020 as things stood with France and Portugal being on level terms as well. Germany almost threw it away This relief did not last long at all as...