Latest news with #EstadioMonumental
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- 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 Independent
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Carlo Ancelotti delivers verdict on first Brazil game in charge
Carlo Ancelotti 's debut as Brazil 's manager ended in a 0-0 draw against Ecuador, a result he still described as a "special" occasion. The match at Estadio Monumental saw limited clear-cut chances, with Brazil only managing two shots on target. Ancelotti's first line-up included Premier League players Alisson Becker, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, and Richarlison. Despite the draw, which keeps Brazil in fourth place in South America 's World Cup qualification standings, Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with the team's defensive performance. Ancelotti acknowledged the need for improvement in attack, particularly with the return of Raphinha, and aims for a more rhythmic and intense game in their upcoming match against Paraguay.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlo Ancelotti says first Brazil match was ‘special' despite goalless draw
Brazil were held to a goalless draw away to Ecuador in Carlo Ancelotti's first match in charge but the Italian still described his international debut as a manager as a 'special' gift. Clear-cut chances were limited during a lacklustre 90 minutes at Estadio Monumental with Brazil only able to manage two shots on target. Advertisement Ancelotti included a number of Premier League players in his first line-up with Alisson Becker, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro and Richarlison handed starts, but the 0-0 draw keeps Brazil in fourth spot in the South America World Cup qualification standings. The veteran coach, who started his managerial career in 1995, told 'My first match in charge of a national team, my heart felt something special. 'I was on the bench for more than 1,800 matches and this one was special. I think I can make an assessment of this first period; I was happy with the reception. I feel delighted to work with the CBF and, for me, it is a gift to be here.' The former Real Madrid boss, who has won five Champions League titles, acknowledged Brazil could improve with the ball ahead of his home debut with Paraguay in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, with Barcelona attacker Raphinha set to return after suspension. Advertisement 'It was a very good match defensively,' Ancelotti reflected. 'I saw the team playing better with the ball, with a slightly more fluid game. It was a good draw and we left satisfied, with confidence for the next game. 'We have very good quality players. There is not much time to work, but there is the possibility of improvement because we have quality. 'I am sure that we will improve in attack. Today we were missing an important player (in) Raphinha. 'We have to play a game with more rhythm, mobility and intensity. I believe we will do that at our home ground.'
CNA
21-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Platense stun River Plate in shootout after stoppage-time drama
BUENOS AIRES :Platense pulled off a stunning 4-2 shootout win over River Plate in the quarter-finals of the Argentine Apertura tournament on Tuesday following a dramatic 1-1 draw at the Estadio Monumental. The hosts, who had won five games in a row, dominated the early exchanges but it was Platense who broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark with Vicente Taborda firing home a low shot following a well-weighted pass from Ronaldo Martinez. "There is frustration at not having been able to reach the final, which was our goal," River coach Marcelo Gallardo told reporters. "I have to admit that the team didn't play as well as it had been doing, but I also have to acknowledge the work done by our opponents, who I think deserved to win because they prevented us from playing as a team." River's 17-year-old sensation Franco Mastantuono came closest to responding before halftime with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target, and he continued to trouble the visitors with a pair of dangerous free-kicks after the break. Platense almost extended their lead late on when a poor clearance by River defender Lucas Martinez Quarta nearly resulted in an own goal, with goalkeeper Franco Armani producing a terrific save to keep his team in the game. Platense were seconds away from securing the win when River were awarded a penalty after Oscar Salomon tripped Miguel Borja in the box. Mastantuono stepped up and coolly converted from the spot 12 minutes into added time. With both teams having failed to convert once in the shootout, River looked to have the advantage when Armani saved from Franco Zapiola. However, the effort was ordered to be retaken due to goalkeeper encroachment and the Platense substitute made no mistake the second time. Things went from bad to worse for River when Sebastian Driussi's effort was saved, and Ignacio Schor then stepped up to seal an unlikely victory for Platense, who will face San Lorenzo in the semi-finals. "I believe justice was served because we deserved to win during the 90 minutes," Platense goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozzani told TNT Sports. "I don't think they had any clear chances to score. We are a team that doesn't mind not having possession, and we will keep pushing. We don't feel inferior to anyone."
