Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Xinhua | As Neymar is narrowing the gap with Pele, the all-time top scorer of Team Brazil, Pele hailed on social media for Neymar’s extraordinary performance in Copa America. Based on FIFA records, Pele sits first for Team Brazil with 77 goals. Neymar cut the gap …
Read More »Staying on feet pays off for persistent Gabriel Jesus
Teresópolis, Brazil | AFP | At just 22 years of age, a back-to-back Premier League title winner with Manchester City and having scored 17 goals in 34 matches for five-time world champions Brazil, it might seem absurd to say it, but Gabriel Jesus was under pressure coming into the Copa America. …
Read More »Brazil banking on defense in Copa America final with Peru
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | AFP | Brazil will be looking to maintain their defensive invincibility against Peru in Sunday’s Copa America final, midfielder Casemiro says. The hosts have yet to concede a goal in the tournament, including when they thrashed Peru 5-0 in a group-stage match earlier in the competition. …
Read More »Peru stun champions Chile 3-0 to reach Copa America final
Porto Alegre, Brazil | AFP | Peru stunned defending champions Chile 3-0 to reach the final of the Copa America for the first time in 44 years on Wednesday. Goals from Edison Flores, Yoshimar Yotun and Paolo Guerrero handed Peru a deserved win which sends them into a final against …
Read More »Jesus, Firmino send Brazil into Copa America final as Messi fails again
Belo Horizonte, Brazil | AFP | Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino scored the goals as Brazil beat arch-rivals Argentina 2-0 on Tuesday to qualify for the Copa America final. Jesus and Firmino netted a goal apiece in each half to give Brazil a victory which ensured Lionel Messi’s frustrating wait …
Read More »Chile eager to make Copa history against Peru, says Vidal
Porto Alegre, Brazil | AFP | Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal says the reigning Copa America champions are focused on making history ahead of their semi-final against Peru. The 2015 and 2016 champions are aiming for a third continental title in a row, a feat only achieved once before by Argentina …
Read More »Argentina waiting for Messi magic to make an appearance
Belo Horizonte, Brazil | AFP | For the last dozen years, Argentina has been waiting for global superstar Lionel Messi to lead their football team to a major international trophy. But when the the country needed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner most, Messi failed to emulate the feats of Diego Maradona …
Read More »Chile beat Colombia on penalties to reach Copa semis
Sao Paulo, Brazil | AFP | Champions Chile maintained their hopes of a third straight Copa America victory after beating Colombia on penalties on Friday to reach the semi-finals. Chile could have won the game in normal time but had two goals ruled out for marginal decisions in a scoreless draw, …
Read More »Copa America starts afresh in quarters, says Argentina’s Messi
Porto Alegre, Brazil | AFP | Argentina will start from afresh in the Copa America after averting disaster with Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Qatar that sent them into the knockout stages, star Lionel Messi said. Goals from the Barcelona icon’s forward partners Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero were enough to propel …
Read More »Messi ‘bitter’ as Colombia stun Argentina
Salvador, Brazil | AFP | Lionel Messi said his team was feeling bitter after Argentina lost their opening Copa America match 2-0 to Colombia despite dominating the second half. Goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata in the final 20 minutes gave Colombia their first tournament victory over Argentina in …
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