Football

Venezuela secured their berth in the Copa America quarterfinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mexico on Wednesday, while Jamaica's tournament hopes were dashed.Mexico-based striker Salomon Rondon converted a penalty in the 57th minute to give Venezuela the lead, which they held onto despite Mexico's late push. Mexico's Orbelin Pineda missed a penalty in the 87th minute, allowing Venezuela to claim all three points.Venezuela now sit atop Group B with six points from two games, while Mexico can still qualify for the knockout rounds with a win over Ecuador in their final group match on Sunday.Jamaica's elimination was confirmed following their 3-1 loss to Ecuador earlier on Wednesday. Ecuador took an early lead through a Kasey Palmer own goal and a penalty from Kendry Paez. Jamaica pulled one back through Michail Antonio, but Ecuador sealed the win with a late goal from Alan Minda.Ecuador's victory keeps their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals alive, while Jamaica's tournament ends with two losses.

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has expressed optimism about a leg injury sustained during his team's 1-0 Copa America victory over Chile. The injury occurred when Messi was kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th minute of the match.Despite the discomfort, Messi remained on the field and played a crucial role in Argentina's triumph. He assisted Lautaro Martínez's 88th-minute goal, which secured the victory and a berth in the quarterfinals.After the match, Messi downplayed the severity of the injury, stating that it was "nothing serious." He added that it was bothering him slightly but did not hinder his ability to finish the game. Messi also revealed that he had been dealing with a sore throat and fever in recent days.Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed confidence in Messi's fitness, citing his ability to sprint half the length of the field late in the game. Scaloni plans to rest several starters in Argentina's final Group A match against Peru on Saturday.Argentina is currently atop Group A and will advance to the knockout stage unless they lose to Peru and Canada defeats Chile in a simultaneous match. Canada can overtake Argentina on goal difference.Messi's injury has raised concerns among fans and pundits, but the player himself remains optimistic. His determination and resilience are a testament to his unwavering commitment to his team and the sport.

Canada's Copa America campaign received a much-needed boost with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Peru in Kansas City. Jonathan David, the Lille striker linked to Manchester United and Chelsea, proved his worth once again with a clinical finish that secured all three points for Canada.The match, played under scorching afternoon heat, saw temperatures soar to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The intense conditions took their toll on one of the assistant referees, who collapsed with apparent heat exhaustion just before halftime.Canada, who had lost their opening game to Argentina, took the lead in the second half after Peru was reduced to 10 men. Miguel Araujo was sent off for a reckless foul on Jacob Shaffelburg, sparking a melee between players from both teams.Referee Mario Escobar initially showed Araujo a yellow card, but a VAR review led to the decision being upgraded to a red. This dismissal gave Canada a significant advantage, and they began to press forward more aggressively.The breakthrough came in the 74th minute when David capitalized on a sweeping counter-attack. Cyle Larin found Shaffelburg with a pinpoint pass, and the Nashville forward delivered a sensational cross-field pass to David. The Lille striker took one touch and fired a right-footed shot into the bottom corner past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.Peru pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made a fine one-handed save to deny Christian Cueva. He also saved Paolo Guerrero's free-kick in injury time.The result leaves Canada second in Group A behind Argentina, who face Chile later on Tuesday.

After nearly 90 minutes of relentless dominance, Argentina, led by the enigmatic Lionel Messi, secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chile in the Copa America quarterfinals. The match, played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, was a testament to Argentina's unwavering determination and Messi's enduring brilliance.From the outset, Argentina asserted their authority on the game, controlling possession and peppering the Chilean goal with shots. Messi, despite being a day past his 37th birthday, was at the heart of every attacking move, weaving through defenders with ease and creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, the Chilean defense, anchored by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, stood firm, denying Argentina a breakthrough.As the match wore on, the tension mounted, and the frustration began to show on the faces of the Argentine players. But just when it seemed like the game would end in a stalemate, a moment of brilliance from Lautaro Martínez broke the deadlock.In the 88th minute, Messi's corner kick found its way to Lisandro Martínez, who headed it towards goal. The ball fell to Giovani Lo Celso, who wrestled with Chile's Nicolás Fernández. The ball ricocheted off Bravo and landed at the feet of Igor Lichnovsky, who tried to clear it. However, Martínez, who had entered the game as a substitute just 15 minutes earlier, calmly slotted the ball into the net, sending the Argentine fans into raptures.The goal was a fitting reward for Argentina's relentless pressure and a testament to their never-say-die attitude. It also marked Martínez's second goal of the tournament, solidifying his status as one of Argentina's most promising young players.Argentina's victory sets up a mouthwatering semifinal clash against Ecuador, who upset Brazil in the quarterfinals. Messi, who is chasing his first major international trophy with Argentina, will be determined to lead his team to glory and cement his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Brazil's Copa America campaign began with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Costa Rica, while Colombia emerged victorious in their opening match with a 2-1 triumph over Paraguay.Brazil, seeking their 10th Copa America title, controlled the game in Group D at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, but they struggled to penetrate Costa Rica's resolute defense. The Brazilians believed they had broken the deadlock in the 30th minute when Marquinhos converted a flick-on from Rodrygo, but VAR intervened and ruled the goal offside by a narrow margin.Despite dominating possession with 73.5%, Brazil failed to create clear-cut chances, registering only three shots on target. Costa Rica, on the other hand, adopted a defensive approach, sitting back and rarely threatening Brazil's goal.In the other Group D match, Colombia secured a deserved 2-1 victory over Paraguay at Houston's NRG Stadium. James Rodriguez inspired the Colombians, scoring a stunning free-kick in the 71st minute to secure the win.Colombia's victory puts them atop Group D, while Brazil and Costa Rica share second place with one point each. Paraguay remains at the bottom of the group with no points.

Copa America 2023: Argentina Aims for Continental Glory Amidst Messi's Uncertain FutureThe 108-year-old Copa America kicks off on Thursday in the United States, with world champions Argentina seeking their second continental title in what could be Lionel Messi's final appearance in the tournament.Argentina, 15-time Copa America winners, will be led by Messi, who is looking to add to his 2021 triumph. Coach Lionel Scaloni has largely retained his World Cup-winning squad, with veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi likely making their final major tournament appearances.Messi's future in international football remains uncertain. The 36-year-old has yet to decide whether he will participate in a record sixth World Cup in 2026. "I won't take part in a World Cup just to say I've done six," Messi said recently.Argentina faces a tough group stage, with matches against Canada, Chile, and Peru. However, the real challenges await in the knockout rounds, where rivals Brazil and Uruguay are expected to be the main contenders.Brazil, despite struggling in World Cup qualifiers, boasts a talented squad led by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Uruguay, under coach Marcelo Bielsa, has impressed with recent wins over Argentina and Brazil.Other teams to watch include Colombia, unbeaten in over two years, and the United States, hoping to generate excitement after a disappointing World Cup performance.The Copa America is not only a trial event for the 2026 World Cup but also a prestigious tournament in its own right. The presence of significant immigrant communities from all competing nations is expected to ensure large crowds at the NFL stadiums hosting the matches.

James Rodriguez, the Colombian maestro, orchestrated a vintage performance to guide his team to a 2-1 victory over Paraguay in their Copa America opener. The 32-year-old midfielder, who has faced challenges in his club career since his stellar 2014 World Cup display, showcased his enduring brilliance in Houston.Rodriguez's influence was evident from the outset, as he created both goals for Colombia. In the 32nd minute, he delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank to Daniel Munoz, who headed home to give Colombia the lead. Ten minutes later, Rodriguez's wicked free-kick from the opposite flank found Jefferson Lerma, who glanced it in to double the advantage.Colombia maintained their dominance in the second half, but Paraguay's Julio Enciso reduced the deficit in the 69th minute. However, Colombia remained composed and controlled the tempo, threatening Paraguay's defense with their incisive attacks.In the 84th minute, Colombia believed they had earned a penalty when Yerry Mina was seemingly fouled in the box. However, after a VAR review, the referee overturned the decision.Colombia will face Costa Rica in their second group game on Friday before concluding their first-round campaign against tournament favorites Brazil on July 2.

Christian Pulisic's brilliance propelled the United States to a resounding 2-0 victory over Bolivia in their Copa America Group C opener at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The American captain showcased his exceptional skills, scoring a stunning early goal and setting up the second for Folarin Balogun.Pulisic's goal came just three minutes into the match, as he received the ball from a corner and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the roof of the net. The early lead gave the US a significant advantage, but they struggled to convert their dominance into further goals in the first half.However, Pulisic's influence continued to be felt, and he played a pivotal role in the second goal just before halftime. He picked up the ball near midfield and surged towards the Bolivian penalty area, before squaring it to Balogun, who calmly slotted it home.The US maintained their dominance in the second half, with Balogun and Pulisic continuing to cause problems for the Bolivian defense. Pulisic drew a fine save from goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra in the 60th minute, while substitute Ricardo Pepi missed a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 in the 65th minute.Despite the missed chances, the US held on to their two-goal lead and secured a vital three points in their Copa America campaign. They will now face Panama in their second group match on Thursday, looking to build on their impressive start.

Claudio Bravo, the oldest player in Copa America history, made four crucial saves to help Chile secure a scoreless draw against Peru in the tournament opener. At 41 years and 69 days, Bravo denied Gianluca Lapadula's first-time shot on a corner kick and Paolo Guerrero's rebound attempt in front of 43,030 fans at AT&T Stadium.Chile's best scoring chance came early in the match when Alexis Sánchez was left unmarked in front of the goal, but his redirection went over the crossbar. The physical battle featured 37 fouls and four yellow cards, reflecting the intensity of the rivalry between the two South American nations.Chile and Peru trail Argentina in Group A. Argentina, which began its Copa America title defense with a 2-0 victory over Canada on Thursday, faces Chile on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2016 Copa America final. Peru plays Canada on Tuesday in Kansas City, Kansas, and closes the first round against Argentina on June 29 in Miami Gardens, Florida.Fourteen U.S. stadiums are hosting the tournament, which runs through July 14 and ends at Miami Gardens, Florida. Six nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean were added to the 10 South American teams, just as in the centennial Copa America in 2016.