Latest news with #ArgentinaColombia
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez sees red for horror challenge and Lionel Messi clashes with James Rodriquez - as Argentina and Colombia stars trade insults in World Cup qualifier
Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card as tempers boiled over during a 1-1 draw between Argentina and Colombia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night. World champions Argentina trailed to a stunning Luis Diaz strike in the first half of the match at the Estadio Monumental. As Lionel Scaloni's side attempted to get back into the match in the second half, Fernandez was shown his marching orders following a horror challenge on Kevin Castano. The midfielder raised his foot when competing for a high ball, but only succeeded in planting his boot into Castano's face, after the Colombian had headed the ball away. As Castano dropped to the pitch following the challenge, players from both sides raced to the incident. Fernandez was ultimately dismissed for the challenge by referee Juan Gabriel Benitez, with the incident leading to tensions rising even further. Argentina captain Lionel Messi was caught in a heated exchange with Colombian star James Rodriquez in the aftermath of the incident. TyC Sports, an Argentinian outlet, reported that Messi had confronted Rodriquez over comments he made about the 2024 Copa America final. Rodriquez last month claimed Colombia had lost the final to Argentine due to 'external factors', adding that the referee had not given them 'one or two penalties' in the showpiece. 'You said they helped us in the final, you talk a lot,' Messi reportedly told Rodriquez on the pitch, leading to the Colombian replying 'I didn't say anything.' Rodriquez declined to comment further on the incident post-match, stating 'What stays on the field, stays on the field.' Messi was ultimately brought off in the closing stages of the match, with his replacement Exequiel Palacios setting up a 81st minute equaliser by Thiago Almada. Tensions continued after the match finished in a 1-1 draw, with veteran Argentina centre back Nicolas Otamendi involved in a spat with Richard Rios. Otamendi reportedly approached the Colombian midfielder and said 'Take off your headband, you clown', according to TyC Sports. 'ESTO ES CULPA TUYA, VOS GENERASTE TODO ESTO'. Lionel Messi contra el árbitro Juan Benítez. 🇦🇷🤬 — Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) June 11, 2025 Rios was reported to have responded 'You're old. Shut the f*** up, idiot. You're old, you can't even run' to the 37-year-old. Otamendi had also been involved in a confrontation with midfielder Jefferson Lerma during the match. Both Messi and Otamendi blamed referee Benitez for the heated nature of the match. Footage showed Messi approaching the official after the final whistle and declaring 'This is your fault You're the one who caused all this, you're the one who caused all this, with the decisions you made.' 'You're the one who sparked everything that happened.' Otamendi echoed Messi's comments to Argentinian television, claiming the referee had 'called everything for them'. 'Something similar happened to us with Brazil, they spoke before the match, and where we feel most comfortable is on the pitch, where we show the team we are and the hierarchy we have,' Otamendi said. 'It created a tough game that affected us because in every divided, every dispute, the referee called everything for them. Luis Diaz had opened the scoring for Colombian with a solo effort in the first half of the match 'What we have to do is play football, show on the field the team we are and keep adding. 'There are many young people who are taking advantage of the opportunities and that is the Argentine national team.' Argentina have already sealed their place at next year's World Cup with the holders 10 points clear at the top of South American qualifying.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Just traumatised him on live TV' – Lionel Messi in very tense conversation with James Rodriguez during Argentina clash
LIONEL MESSI and James Rodriguez engaged in a heated war of words during Argentina's battle with Colombia last night. The Argentine superstar, 37, returned to international action despite his country having already comfortably qualified for next year's World Cup. 5 5 Lionel Scaloni's reigning world champions fell behind in the first half, courtesy of Luis Diaz 's brilliant solo goal. The match became heated in the second period, with a series of flashpoints occurring in the final 20 minutes. Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez was sent off on 70 minutes for a high challenge on Kevin Castano. The horror kick left Castano bleeding from his head. In the aftermath of the incident, Messi engaged in a war of words with long-time rival James Rodriguez. Having battled for several years while playing for their countries, they were also on opposite sides of the El Clasico Real Madrid-Barcelona divide. The pair tried to cover their mouths during the conversation, although Argentine outlet TyC Sports claim to have made out some of their words. They claim that Rodriguez, 33, responded to Messi's initial comment by asking: "But why?" BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 5 5 The outlet then alleges that Messi said: "Yes, yes. You said we were helped in the final. "You talk a lot..." 'Do you want me to send you off' - Lionel Messi reaches boiling point with referee as Inter Miami woes worsen Messi is believed to have been referring to Argentina 's 1-0 victory over Colombia in last year's Copa America final. Back in March, Rodriguez reflected on the match: "Due to external factors, I think we couldn't have been champions. "The referee had a big influence and didn't award us one or two penalties." The former Everton and Real Madrid star, who now plays for Club Leon in Mexico, refused to be drawn on his exchange with Messi after last night's match. Asked about the subject, the attacking midfielder said: "What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch." Reflecting on the incident, one fan joked on social media: "Forget the Enzo red card. Messi just traumatized James Rodriguez on live television with his words." While a second wrote: "Yeah… he said some harsh words to James and it pains me cause James seems like a genuinely nice guy." Shortly after his exchange with Rodriguez, Messi was surprisingly substituted, despite 10-man Argentina needing a goal. The move proved to be an inspired one, as his replacement Exequiel Palacios set up Thiago Almada's equaliser just a few minutes later. After the 1-1 draw, boss Scaloni revealed: "Leo wasn't going to come off, but he ended up coming off near the end. "He told me it was better for him to come off, and so we decided to change him. "The good thing we always showed, with 10 men and without Messi, is that we kept looking, not giving up on a ball. That makes us very satisfied." Just prior to going off, Messi had been involved in an altercation with Daniel Munoz. The former Barcelona star appeared to throw an elbow at the Crystal Palace man. 5
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Stunning Luis Díaz Goal Earns Colombia Vital Point In Argentina
Colombia's forward #07 Luis Diaz runs with the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American ... More qualifiers football match between Argentina and Colombia at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on June 10, 2025. Last night Argentina and Colombia shared the spoils in FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying. A 1-1 draw was confirmed in Buenos Aires after a wonderful individual goal by Luis Díaz and an impressive equaliser by Thiago Almada. Lionel Messi, who turns 38 later this month, was pulling the strings for Argentina in the first period and had a few glimpses at goal himself. One trademark 'give and go' saw him unleash a strike, wide of the mark, with his right foot. Had it been on the other side that would have been 1-0 to the hosts, but it was refreshing to see Lionel Messi very much on the pace in a top level international game a year out from the World Cup. Certain slid passes from the likes of Lionel Messi and opponent James Rodriguez gave the night a sense of nostalgia, but in the end both goals came from players primed to have more of an impact in the future. Deiver Machado of Colombia and Lionel Messi of Argentina battle for the ball during the FIFA World ... More Cup 2026 South American Qualifier match between Argentina and Colombia at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on June 10, 2025 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Díaz found his goal after two near misses, as it was third time lucky for the Liverpool winger. 'Lucho' received the ball on the counter attack, on the left flank just inside the Argentina half, before making his way into the box and dancing through four Argentina defenders. Díaz weaved between the opposition with such calmness and flow, evading the defenders like they were training cones. In the 24th minute he finished the move by slotting the ball into the back of the net and marking an iconic away goal that could be vital for Colombian World Cup hopes. Díaz may not be the most consistent marksman at club level, but for Colombia not only is he proficient; he always seems to go score in the big games. Luis Diaz of Colombia celebrates with teammates James Rodriguez and Richard Rios after scoring the ... More team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American Qualifier match between Argentina and Colombia at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on June 10, 2025 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by) The strike also plays into the hands of Liverpool at a domestic level. If Barcelona are seriously interested in trying to sign Díaz then unfortunately for them his wonderful individual goal will only suggest that the transfer fee might be even higher. Having said that, Liverpool have made it clear they have no intention of selling. You can see why. Díaz gave the Argentine defence nightmares in the first period and Colombia should perhaps have scored more. Whilst at the other end Julián Alvarez tested the keeper from outside the box with a whipped strike, and could so easily have been in on goal when he just failed to bring down what was a spectacular clipped pass by Rodrigo De Paul. Argentina's forward #09 Julian Alvarez controls the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South ... More American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Colombia at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on June 10, 2025. These two teams have built up something of an on-field rivalry as of late. A year ago Argentina needed extra-time to defeat Colombia in the Copa America final and since then Colombia defeated Argentina in World Cup qualifying in Barranquilla. Last night Chelsea and ex-Benfica and River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernández saw red for a dangerously high boot. Then in the 78th minute Lionel Messi was substituted off but the young legs of Thiago Almada were left on the pitch by manager Lionel Scaloni. What a decision that turned out to be. After 81 minutes Almada found the back of the net for 10-men Argentina with a fantastic shimmy on the edge of the box and a shot across goal. In the end it would stay 1-1 despite a strong second period from Argentina and a couple of very near misses from Enzo and Nicolás González. Both sides will be satisfied though. A point for Argentina who are top of the leaderboard in South American qualifying and cannot be caught, and a really crucial point for Colombia to move them four ahead of Venezuela. Meaning just 3 points from their final two qualifiers will guarantee a spot at the FIFA 2026 World Cup next summer. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - JUNE 10: Lionel Messi of Argentina greets Luis Diaz of Colombia prior to ... More the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American Qualifier match between Argentina and Colombia at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on June 10, 2025 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
