Tactical genius Lionel Messi subs HIMSELF during Argentina clash – and sees decision immediately pay off
LIONEL MESSI asked to be substituted during Argentina's 1-1 draw with Colombia.
The Inter Miami superstar, 37, has been back in action with the reigning world champions this month having missed the March international break.
Messi started as Lionel Scaloni's men took on Colombia in Buenos Aires.
Argentina have already comfortably qualified for next summer's World Cup finals, but regardless the match turned out to be a feisty affair.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz gave Colombia a first half lead courtesy of a brilliant solo goal.
The game reached a major flashpoint on 70 minutes, when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for kicking Kevin Castano in the head with a high challenge.
Fernandez's tackle prompted a scuffle between the two teams, as Castano dramatically writhed around on the ground.
Amid the melee, Messi exchanged harsh words with Colombian counterpart James Rodriguez.
Argentina's legendary No10 is said to have been unhappy about Rodriguez claiming that his side had gotten lucky with refereeing decisions during last year's Copa America final triumph.
Messi then appeared to get away with throwing an elbow towards Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
5
5
The former Barcelona star was somewhat surprisingly substituted on 78 minutes, as 10-man Argentina chased an equaliser.
But it proved to be an inspired choice, as his replacement Exequiel Palacios teed up Lyon 's Thiago Almada to equalise in the 81st minute.
'Just traumatised him on live TV' - Lionel Messi in very tense conversation with James Rodriguez during Argentina clash
After the game, Scaloni explained the decision to take off Messi.
The Argentina boss said: "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."
Argentina are 10 points clear of second-placed Ecuador in the South American World Cup qualifying standings.
Messi and Co will conclude their qualifying campaign with matches against Venezuela and Ecuador in September.
5
5
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
38 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Scotland ace reveals why 'raw' Euros exit must act as watershed moment under 'hungry ' new boss
Scotland's Jenna Clark believes the appointment of Melissa Andreatta can provide a springboard to finally return to a major tournament. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland defender Jenna Clark admits the 'raw' pain of missing out on the Women's European Championship this summer leaves her in two minds about whether she will be able to even watch the tournament this summer. The third successive tournament that Scotland have been forced to watch from home, their 2-0 defeat to Finland in the Euro 2025 playoffs saw Pedro Martinez Losa's reign as the national team boss come to a crashing end. The Spanish head coach dismissed less than a week after the painful defeat in Helsinki, his replacement Melissa Andreatta arrived in late April. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While Martinez Losa will have other things on his mind this summer as he begins his stint in charge at the Liga MX Femenil side Tigres, for Liverpool centre-back Clark, the pain of missing out on this summer's tournament in Switzerland still rankles. 'As much as I was in and around the squad during the World Cup disappointment, I felt a lot more hurt by the Euros campaign,' Clark exclusively told The Scotsman. 'I'm don't know how I'm going to feel when it's on [Euro 2025]. We've [Liverpool] got a couple of players in the team who are going, and you're buzzing for them, but there's a part of me that's going 'it could have been us'. We've got good players, we are more than capable of qualifying for a major tournament. Liverpool and Scotland defender Jenna Clark is desperate to make a major tournament with the national team. | SNS Group 'Is it overdue? Or is it underperformance, or not the right balance - I'm not too sure. The Euros being on this summer makes it raw. I'd experienced the full campaign and everything that went into it. I was just really hurt after the game - it was a really emotional time. I never want to feel like that again. The next tournament is two years away, but the determination to get there is sitting in place already. That disappointment will be a massive motivation for the next campaign.' After an apathetic three-year stint under Martinez Losa, head coach Andreatta has been able to inject an early dose of positivity with a battling 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in the Nations League earlier this month. Arguably the better side in Tilburg, supporters were encouraged by what they witnessed from their side, with the 46-year-old making a strong first impression in her debut camp as the new Scotland head coach. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad New Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been a 'positive' influence on the players in her first camp, says Clark. | SNS Group 'The last performance gives us confidence,' beams Clark. 'Mel has talked about really bringing back that 'Scottishness' to our game, and showing our identity. For us our biggest focus needs to be competing against nations we are 'on par' with. Can we go and dominate those games? I want to experience the highs that I have had at club level with this [Scotland] squad, the staff, the players. Everything. I want that. I want it soon. That's the goal. I want to qualify for as many major tournaments as possible.
The Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Sun
Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Miami predictions, odds and betting tips
PSG will continue their quest to win a first ever FIFA Club World Cup when they take on Inter Miami at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday. Standing in their way will be former star striker Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates, in what is set to be a headline grabbing showdown. PSG vs Inter Miami odds Find the latest football betting odds for PSG vs Inter Miami here. Our odds are provided by our recommended football betting sites and are subject to change. PSG vs Inter Miami predictions Paris Saint-Germain is having a season to remember. Already champions of Europe and winners of their domestic treble, the Parisians are also chasing a first ever win at the FIFA Club World Cup. There was a belief that the Parisians might ease off the gas after such a great campaign. Any worries that this might happen were soon dealt with after Luis Enrique's team dismantled a strong looking Atletico Madrid side 4-0 in their opening match. Paris did suffer a mishap in their second Group B fixture. The European champions lost 1-0 to Botafogo of Brazil. The result didn't really reflect the match, with Paris having 75% of the possession along with 16 attempts on goal to the Brazilians' four. The telling statistic was the scoreline. But PSG did also only manage two shots on target from their 16 efforts. Botafogo hit the target with all four of their attempts on goal. PSG had no such problems in their final match, comfortably beating Seattle Sounders 2-0 to seal qualification for the Round of 16 as the group winners. Despite an up and down season in the MLS, Inter Miami have had what can only be described as a successful debut season in the FIFA Club World Cup. Lionel Messi obviously grabs all the headlines, and at times this is only fair. Afterall, Messi scored the crucial goal that gave the MLS franchise a 2-1 win over Porto in their second group match - a result that effectively sealed Miami's place in the Round of 16. The Americans managed a second place finish in Group A, finishing behind Palmeiras of Brazil on goal difference only. Javier Mascherano's team have every right to be disappointed that they didn't top the group. With just ten minutes remaining of their final match against Palmeiras, Inter led 2-0. The three points would have seen them finish first. A remarkable fightback from the Brazilians saw them peg Inter back and the match finished 2-2. As a result, Palmeiras will face Botafogo in the Round of 16, while Inter are left to take on PSG. Regardless of the result on Sunday, it has been a successful campaign for the Miami franchise. PSG vs Inter Miami betting tips PSG are the overwhelming favourites to beat Inter Miami and set up a possible quarter-final showdown with Bayern Munich (if the Germans can get past Flamengo). Former PSG old boy Lionel Messi will be out to cause the biggest upset of the competition. There's little doubt that Messi will be up for it, but it's hard to see the rest of his teammates being able to match Paris. Our match tips follow: PSG to win and both teams to score PSG have only conceded in one of their three matches at the Club World Cup. Despite this, we can see Inter Miami finding the net. The PSG goal led a charmed life against Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders also had their chances, but lacked the required composure in front of goal. Inter Miami won't have those problems. If they can create the chances, either one of Lionel Messi or Luis Suárez are likely to be more ruthless. We can also see PSG comfortably outclassing the MLS outfit. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to assist There is plenty of talk about Ousmane Dembélé winning the Ballon d'Or, but at the moment, Dembélé's teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks like one of the most in-form players on the planet. The Georgian has two goals and one assist so far at the Club World Cup - meaning he has played a role in half of his team's goals in the competition. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is just 12/25 to score or assist. With his recent record of laying on goals, we think it's better value to just back him to have one or more assists at 27/10. Over 3.5 goals PSG are likely to win this match with a bit to spare. We can also see Inter Miami finding the back of the net if Paris are offering up the sort of chances they did against Atletico and Seattle. It is tempting to back Messi to find the net against his former club. But we feel this bet makes more sense, as it also covers a one-sided hammering in favour of the Parisians. Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia. Date and time: Sunday 29th June, 5pm BST. How to watch: DAZN and Channel 5. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN About the author Craig Mahood Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – GambleAware – For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Messi mania turns Miami into America's soccer city - as big decisions loom
It is a Hollywood scriptwriter's dream - and a glorious reality for the tournament Messi will be pitted against his former club and the reigning European champions in the last 16 of the Club World Miami against Paris St-Germain in Atlanta on Sunday is expected to attract one of the biggest crowds of the tournament so far, with the Messi factor a large was huge controversy about how Inter Miami and Messi entered the expanded new-look granted, in a one-off rule, a host-nation slot to a US club for this expanded 32-team instead of MLS Cup play-off winners LA Galaxy, they chose Inter Miami, who are the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield winners by virtue of having the best regular-season despite the pre-tournament scepticism, Inter's unbeaten run in the group matches puts them into the knockout stages on next are Luis Enrique's PSG, currently regarded as the best football team on the planet, who will go head to head with most people's choice as the greatest player of all impact on Miami has been seismic, but what comes next for the 39-year-old eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, and will he be back on the big stage with Argentina to defend the World Cup next summer? Miami & Messi make Club World Cup history Inter Miami know well that if you have an ace up your sleeve in the shape of Messi then you use it by playing to his Argentine's winner against Porto was his 50th goal for the club and also made Miami the first club from the Concacaf region to beat a major European side in an official have since qualified for the knockout stages, sending Porto home and setting up a mouth-watering encounter against Messi's former employers has never been eliminated in the group stage of any major international competition - not with Argentina, not with Barcelona, not with PSG, and now not with role now though is perhaps a little different to what it used to days he plays deeper and closer to midfield and defence, much more in a ball-collecting position, allowing him to launch attacks from further back, either with runs through the middle or by spreading passes to either and above everything else, what remains undimmed is a ferocious competitive spirit and a passionate desire to is something that is borne out by his anger and frustration, which he showed when a two-goal lead was lost to Palmeiras in the final group game - not because it cost Inter Miami being group winners but simply because it meant they failed to win the is, has always been, and always will be, paramount to Messi; it is his reason for playing. What has the Messi effect been in America? The Messi effect extends much further than merely from what happens on the Miami, co-owned by Sir David Beckham, were just three years old as a club when Messi signed for them two years chose them over the world record numbers on offer from Saudi Arabia because he was assured they had a project in place that would make Miami the beating heart of US football. He is still reportedly the highest paid player in MLS but on a significantly lower sum than was offered Inter Miami model has ensured the arrival of top players, combined with establishing an elite mentality from the owners to the players and then all the way down to the Messi is in line to become a co-owner of the franchise when he Barcelona been able to offer him anything remotely similar, he would have joined them and played for nothing - or, to make it legal, for the minimum the end, despite conversations with then-manager Xavi about a role not unlike the one we're now seeing at Inter Miami, the much-anticipated talk of his return to Catalonia amounted to little more than politically expedient hot air, to appease the offered nothing in the way of a contract nor even the slightest clue how they might be able to register him if he did to their word, Miami, since Messi's arrival, has become America's soccer city.A higher class of player has been attracted to the club - like Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba - bringing greater focus, more fans, better chances of victory, more sales and bigger profits to the winning mentality that now runs from top to bottom was demonstrated just days ago as the club's under-17 side won the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup title in is now talk about holding a youth tournament for around 16,000 youngsters. Interest in 'soccer' is growing and a lot of it stems from the arrival of the influence of Inter Miami extends beyond the boundaries of the United club currently sell more shirts than Juventus, and Vogue magazine features Messi's shirts as a fashion brings more success, with increased sponsorship deals, corporate boxes sold out and with a waiting list and a host of footballing superstars including the likes of Luka Modric, Kevin de Bruyne and Neymar making contact via representatives about possibly MLS roster rules do not allow them to take on any more big Messi effect has created, much earlier than expected, a winning team. They have won two trophies in a year and a half, and there is a footballing frenzy which ensures that wherever Messi plays, every stadium is has been reported MLS teams have earned more than $80m (£58m), external in extra revenue when Inter Miami come to town, through dynamic ticket attracted their record attendance for a football match when 62,358 fans flocked to Soldier Field in Chicago in after, Miami played at Columbus Crew in front of 60,614 fans — the largest home crowd in Crew history and the biggest non-NFL crowd in the Huntington Bank Field stadium's the current Club World Cup, Inter Miami have played in two of just the six matches to attract more than 60,000 fans. What next for Messi? Will he commit his future to Inter Miami?After an unhappy two-year stay in Paris, on a personal level, the Messi family are in a good place in his family are happy, then so is Messi. His wife Antonella is a face of Tiffany in the US as well as working with other brands such as three sons are all playing in the youth teams and Messi goes to watch every game they close to him say that they are in talks to extend his stay at the club. He has a contract until the end of the year, although to date they have yet to hammer out a firm agreement on an he has said, however, is that in principle this will be the club where he will end his playing career, although football constantly shows us that nothing should ever be taken for about next summer's World Cup? Nobody knows, least of all, Messi the moment he is just taking it game by game, tournament by he renews and stays in America, he'll evaluate the situation when he needs to, but for the time being he is just taking things step by involved wants to see him leading Argentina at the World Cup in America in a year's time. But he has not indicated to anyone what his final decision is how you have to deal with Messi: let him take the decision at his own time. But the suspicion is that the 2026 World Cup could be his swan song with the national now the only footballing matter on his mind will be how to create the mother of all shocks against Luis Enrique's seems unlikely, except for the fact that if there is one thing we've learned after years of watching the little wizard weave his magic, it's that, if anyone can, Leo can.
