Messi magic puts Argentina back on World Cup track

A Lionel Messi masterclass, netting a brilliant free kick before laying on two more goals, put Argentina's World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a resounding 3-0 win over Colombia on Tuesday.

The win lifted Messi's team, recovering from two successive defeats, into fifth place in the South American group with 19 points, one behind Ecuador and Chile, who beat Uruguay 3-1 with an Alexis Sanchez brace.

Brazil, away to Peru in Lima in a later match, top the table with 24 points while Uruguay are second with 23. Colombia dropped to sixth on 18 points.

The top four go through to the 2018 finals in Russia with the fifth, at present Argentina, qualifying for an intercontinental playoff for another berth.

"It's hard to analyse (the match) when you concede those kinds of goals and the more so when one team has a player like Messi," said Colombia coach Jose Pekerman.

"With the second goal, the match became practically impossible (for us). You try to get goals back but we couldn't and Messi made the difference."

Argentina took a ninth-minute lead when Messi curled his free kick over the wall and into the top left corner of David Ospina's net off the underside of the bar for his 57th Argentina goal.

Falcao came close for Colombia at the other end when he headed James Rodriguez's free kick just over Sergio Romero's bar after 18 minutes.

PRATTO HEADER

Five minutes later Messi's superb ball over the defence was met on the edge of the six-yard box with a firm header into the bottom far corner by Lucas Pratto, justifying his inclusion in place of the benched Gonzalo Higuain.

Colombia pushed Argentina back in the second half though the home side threatened again when Messi fed Angel Di Maria but his shot from a tight angle hit the post.

Di Maria did, however, break a goal drought for his country stretching back eight matches, in the 83rd minute.

Messi cheekily stole the ball from a defender, raced into the box and laid the ball square where Di Maria blasted his 18th Argentina goal into the roof of the net.

Rodriguez hit the post with a free kick in stoppage time with Colombia's last chance of the match.

In Santiago, Sanchez scored twice in the second half as Chile came from a goal down after Edinson Cavani had put the Uruguayans ahead and Claudio Bravo saved a late Luis Suarez penalty.

Striker Eduardo Vargas equalised in first half stoppage time and Sanchez put Chile ahead with a shot from the edge of the box then raced in close to tap in his second.

Ecuador scored three second half goals in Quito, a header from defender Arturo Mina and strikes from Miller Bolanos and Enner Valencia to beat Venezuela 3-0 and push them back to the bottom of the standings.

Bolivia, who had Gabriel Valverde sent off after an hour for a second booking, beat Paraguay 1-0 at home in La Paz thanks to an own goal by Gustavo Gomez.

A second successive defeat pinned Paraguay back in seventh with 15 points.

Match stats:

3. Argentina: Sergio Romero; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolás Otamendi, Ramiro Funes Mori, Emmanuel Mas; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano; Lionel Messi, Éver Banega (m.63, Enzo Pérez), Ángel Di María (m.85, Marcos Acuña); Lucas Pratto (m.79, Gonzalo Higuaín).

Coach: Edgardo Bauza.

0. Colombia: David Ospina; Santiago Arias, Davinson Sánchez, Jason Murillo, Éder Álvarez Balanta; Carlos Sánchez, Daniel Torres (m.21, Jonathan Copete), Wilmar Barrios (m.46, Macnelly Torres), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, James Rodríguez; Radamel Falcao García (m.76, Carlos Bacca).

Coach: José Pekerman.

Goals: 1-0, m.9: Lionel Messi. 2-0, m.22: Lucas Pratto. 3-0, m.84: Ángel Di María.

Referee: Roddy Zambrano. Yellow cards: Pratto, Mercado, Banega, Funes Mori, Rodríguez, Arias, Álvarez Balanta, Cuadrado.

More games: friv

Aymeric Laporte rejected Manchester City after meeting Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola said he “likes the way he plays the game” after signing John Stones in a £47.5 million deal from Everton.

Stones, 22, has settled in well at the Etihad Stadium, appearing in every game this season and already showing improvement under Guardiola.

He’s even been spoke about as the next Gerard Pique. Those comparisons are pretty wild at the moment but the fact remains that City, and England, have an exciting talent on their hands.

Yet for all the promise, Stones wasn’t Guardiola’s first choice when it came to eyeing a new centre back.

Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has earned rave reviews for his performances in Spain and has been linked with Europe’s elite teams, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United.

However, it was Manchester City who had the opportunity to speak with Laporte in the summer. Yet they weren’t able to seal the deal.

PROS AND CONS

"How did I say no to Pep? By looking at the pros and cons,” Laporte told French radio station RTL, via Sky Sports.

"I spoke with him for a long time, as well as with my club. I also looked at my family, my entourage.

"It wasn't too early. It was just pros and cons - amount of time on the pitch, me recovering from injury.

“These aren't easy things to think about at my age. In the end, I had to make a choice. I did, and I'm happy."

Journalist Ian Holyman has added that Laporte, who has been called up to the France squad for the first time, wanted to “thank” Athletic.

The youngster has been at San Mames since 2010, when he joined Athletic’s youth system before going on to play for its farm team, Basconia.

BUYOUT CLAUSE

Athletic probably didn’t expect Laporte to stay this long, especially with so many high-profile suitors. Yet he signed a contract extension in June that lasts until 2020 and increases his buyout clause from €50 million to €65m.

A statement on the Basque club’s website confirmed that Laporte’s buyout clause will rise by another €5m in 2018-19.

It’s therefore easy to see him becoming the most expensive defender in history one day, surpassing the £50m fee Paris Saint-Germain paid for David Luiz in 2014.

With Vincent Kompany’s injury problems, Nicolas Otamendi failing to grasp the Premier League and Eliaquim Mangala out of the picture, it could even be City who splashes the cash on him.

WHO IS THE BETTER PLAYER BETWEEN LAPORTE AND STONES? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!

Five Man City youngsters looking to break into Guardiola's first team squad

Manchester City have a number of young players hoping to have done enough to impress Pep Guardiola.

Kelechi Iheanacho was the only young player to shine under Manuel Pellegrini but expectations have been raised with Pep Guardiola .

The man who started his coaching career with a youth team before going on to unprecedented greatness at Barcelona has already praised some of his prospects and could keep some in his first team squad .

Here are a few of those looking to avoid a loan and stay in Manchester this season to make the grade.

Pablo Maffeo, 19, right-back

A defender who loves defending, Maffeo's development at the CFA has been helped along by some wise words from Pablo Zabaleta.

A spell at Spanish side Girona (part-owned by Guardiola's brother) gave this tenacious tackler some first team experience last season and his performance against Bayern Munich last month drew plaudits from the coach.

Would benefit from a season-long loan if he cannot force himself into the first-team plans.

Aleix Garcia, 19, midfield

Garcia had already made a first-team debut for Villareal when he was tempted to Manchester last season, and Spain like him so much he has continued to represent them at youth level.

A classy player that creates time on the ball, his eye for a pass was on display in setting up David Silva for City's goal against Dortmund.

With central midfield depending largely on Ilkay Gundogan's fitness, Garcia is the player most likely to be able to step up and slot into the midfield.

Tosin Adarabioyo, 18, centre-back

This Mancunian has been the Cameron Humphreys of the 2016 tour, catching the eye as a competent defender in a way that almost makes you forget the kamikaze tendencies of Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala.

Given the Under-18s captaincy at 16 , Adarabioyo is used to demonstrating a maturity beyond his years and is growing into a composing figure at the back. Being 6ft 5" helps that too.

The arrival of John Stones may see opportunities dry up but those within the academy have only positives for his ability and character.

Manu Garcia, 18, midfield

Garcia looked like the next to break through after Iheanacho last season when he scored on debut against Crystal Palace, and went on to feature in the Premier League.

But a few niggling injuries contributed to a pause on that progress in the second half of the campaign and Garcia - not related to Aleix - has to impress all over again.

Of the five, probably the most likely to go on loan given how much competition for places there is in advanced midfield.

Angelino, 19, left-back

Spanish defender Angelino, who came to England partly so he could learn the language in case a career in football didn't work out, is in the same boat as Maffeo.

City are equally precarious on the flanks and the opportunity is there if either youngster can burst through.

Had an eventful loan spell at New York City at the start of last season and looks a player that will suit the football Guardiola wants from his players.

I Quit: Lionel Messi's Retirement Turns Argentina Copa Dream into Nightmare

Lionel Messi pushed himself to the limits of his physical and mental endurance to deliver the Copa America for Argentina. But, ultimately, even his incomparable skills were not enough in the MetLife Arena, New Jersey, as Chile claimed the title on penalties.

After such optimism, the nation finished the competition in a crisis that may take years to mend. 

While the captain's bombshell decision to retire from international duty was not exactly expected, a sign of his devastation was obvious from the moment the first penalty against Chile was launched into the stratosphere. Messi had fought a losing battle throughout the final, and when it came to the shootout, there was nothing left in the tank. 

The shootout may have turned out very differently had the Barcelona star drilled his kick down the middle instead of harmlessly over Claudio Bravo's crossbar. Arturo Vidal and Sergio Romero had given theAlbiceleste the advantage, but the omens were once more against a team that just cannot kick the habit of finishing second. 

Lucas Biglia followed his captain by putting a tame penalty well within Bravo's reach, and the photo of Messi sitting disconsolate on the bench was another photographic stain on his glittering career following the iconic images that followed defeat in the 2014 World Cup and in the Copa just 12 months ago. 

"That's it, the national team is over for me," he admitted to TyCSports in the mixed zone once the dust settled on another failure in Argentina colours (per Ole). "We've had four finals, this isn't for me unfortunately. This is what I most desired, I sought victory but it was not to be. That's it."

Those were the words of a broken man, the best player in the world who for a fourth time had seen his dreams and those of a nation shattered by the whims and cruelty of the beautiful game. 

It had all looked so different just weeks ago. Messi had sat out the opening match against Chile, but once he re-entered the Argentina team following his recovery from a back problem suffered in a friendly win over Honduras, it looked like 2016 was destined to be his year. 

Panama were dispatched 5-0 thanks to an incredible 26-minute hat-trick from La Pulga. Bolivia too were given short shrift, as NicolasOtamendi, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Erik Lamela sealed a first-half victory that meant Messi's recuperation took place in a second 45 minutes that was little more than an exhibition. 

Once the knockouts got going, Messi and Argentina looked unstoppable. A staggering pass to set up Gonzalo Higuain set the tone against Venezuela, and Messi netted his fourth of the campaign following a neat one-two with Nicolas Gaitan to break through theVinotinto defence. When hosts United States beckoned in the last-four, it was time to ramp up performances even further. 

Yet another assist from the top drawer followed, this time for Lavezzi. But La Pulga went even further, swerving in a free-kick past BradGuzan that appeared to be an unmistakeable statement of intent in Houston. Another pair of goals for Higuain sealed a 4-0 triumph, with the US men's national team failing to muster even a single shot on Romero's goal. 

But yet, despite marching into the final, Argentina could not shake the fear that is generated in a player following repeated failure when it really counts.

Messi was going into his fourth final without a single winner's medal. For Marcos Rojo, Higuain, Aguero and others, it was their third in as many years. The old workhorse Javier Mascherano, Argentina's sole veteran from the 2004 Copa America shootout defeat at Brazil's hands, was aiming for fifth time lucky. 

Even Gerardo Martino had to revert the weight of history. The Rosario-born coach had taken Paraguay to a 3-0 final defeat to Uruguay in 2011 and saw tournament hosts Chile run out winners on penalties in Santiago in 2015. It was Tata's third straight Copa final, and he had never tasted victory. 

Ultimately, that pressure proved too much for almost all of the side—even Messi. All of that fine work earlier on was for nothing, as Chile—not the same side as Jorge Sampaoli's slick unit a year back, but with the same fight and hunger—proved viciously tricky opposition. 

The Roja made plenty of tackles to keep La Pulga in check. They battled for every ball and rose highest to expel the Albiceleste's desperate crossing. Gary Medel, Chile's diminutive guerrilla that typifies the heart of a nation, stretched his 5'7" frame to impossible dimensions and won every single aerial duel he contested, according to Opta. 

Above all, the side coached by Juan Antonio Pizzi played with the confidence that only a title can bring. For nine-tenths of their campaign, Argentina had been the best in the tournament, and Messiwas an unrivalled star stateside, but once more, they have fallen short. 

Only this time there might not be any way back. Messi has announced his retirement, although those in charge will likely beg and plead him to stay on at least until Russia 2018.

Aguero, Higuain and Mascherano are all considering following the same route, according to the Manchester City man at full-time (perOle): "Nobody could offer an explanation because we were all f--ked. Sadly, the most devastated man is Leo." 

The Argentina team as we know it, the Golden Generation that lifted the Under-20 World Cups of 2005 and 2007 and sealed Olympic Games triumphs in 2004 and 2008, is coming to an end.

Messi was its standard-bearer, and his desolate figure at the end of proceedings in New Jersey was symbolic for a team that was so close, and yet so far, from taking glory.

Manchester City Season in Review: Nicolas Otamendi

During the close season, Man City Square is going to review each member of the 2015/2016 Manchester City squad and grade them for their year. Next up – Number 30 Nicolas Otamendi

This may come as something of a surprise to you, but I feel a little sorry for Nicolas Otamendi. He comes in the off-season from Valencia, fresh off his inclusion in the La Liga Team of the Year, for a tidy sum of £28.5million to Manchester City. Not wanting to be seen as naive about the demands of English football, he grows a beard and adds to his tattoo collection to make himself appear more intimidating. You have to admire the dedication there, my dirty and unshaven look is for far more lazy reasons.

Nonetheless, Otamendi came at a price almost half that of his bumbling comrade-in-arms Eliaquim Mangala and gave every impression he would be the answer to City’s defensive woes. Except he only ended up giving more questions. Questions like: who is the least likely to commit a howler today between Nicolas and Eliaquim? Why, for someone with a pedigree of solid control and playmaking, has he been so decidedly average at both this season? How come nobody is any more intimidated by his facial hair than they are mine?

Errors, lapses in judgement, getting outclassed by lesser opposition. All these things paint a picture which stands as a damning indictment for a player seen as Vincent Kompany the Second Koming. Of course, that’s not the end of the story.

Perhaps more frustrating than his poor performances have been the good ones that show he can actually perform. When Mangala manages to make it through an error-free outing while actually making a reasonable attempt at performing the job he’s paid for, we start to wonder if there might actually be a competent defender in there yet. For Otamendi, we already know there is and we suffer the endless frustration at never seeing it materialise for any consistent length.

Not for lack of trying, certainly. That’s why I feel just a little sorry for his supremely up and down year in which, as is the way, will be remembered for the Jekyll and not the Hyde. Or, you’d imagine so, at least. On this Manchester City there’s grounds to believe that Otamendi may well get away with. As we discussed in the review for Clichy, in the land of the blind the one eyed man is King and an argument can be made for Nicolas fitting the bill.

Statistically speaking, Otamendi did a fairly good job at Centre Back, even a pretty great one. In 30 Premier League appearances, Otamendi made some 90 successful tackles, averaging 3 per game. “Human White Flag” Mangala on the other hand, only averages 1.4. Further, Otamendi averaged 3.5 interceptions, 7 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game, all of which are better (2.9, 5.2 and 0.3 respectively) than his teammate.

Perhaps, you may argue, it is a little unfair to compare Otamendi to Mangala as the latter had such a lead balloon of a season? How about Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld, often described as the best centre-back in the league, and indeed voted as such by the Telegraph for 2015/2016? In fact, Alderweireld managed to average only 1.2 successful tackles per game and his level of interceptions, clearances and blocks (1.7, 7.5, 0.9) are all much in line with what Nicolas produced. What gives?

Well, for start, statistics really don’t tell the full story. The times that Alderweireld and Otamendi choked were entirely different and ultimately led to differing conclusions. The stats may well paint an overall rosy picture, but they do little to gloss over what was easily observed by all actually watching the game.

Take Manchester City’s humiliating 3-1 defeat at the Etihad to then title rivals Leicester City on February 6. Leicester’s second goal, for those that remember, was entirely Otamendi’s fault as he found himself so absolutely stitched he lay motionless on the ground as his mark Riyad Mahrez danced around him with the ball. Struggling for form and to make an impact at his new club, this did little to bolster confidence in Otamendi among fans and even less with Manuel Pellegrini.

Still, even that isn’t the full story. Otamendi certainly plays his best when alongside Kompany. That’s one of Vinnie’s things, he raises the game of those around. That’s why he’s the captain. Just he wasn’t around to raise the game of his players much this year. Even with all that being the case, because we know there is a quality central defender in there, and he’s got the man fuzz to prove it, then he presents less of a gamble to Pep Guardiola to keep in his rebuild.

Do I know if Guardiola will keep him around, ultimately? No, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. Kompany’s injuries raise questions over his long term fitness. Mangala is a trap door in a canoe. Even bringing in more central defenders won’t detract for a need for depth in the position, solidity in the position. I’m not Otamendi’s biggest fan but at least this we know he can provide and, if we do see him again next season, let’s hope we aren’t feeling sorry for him then too. For this season though, he gets a 6.5.

English Football Association to ask FIFA to research dementia link to soccer

The English Football Association will ask FIFA to investigate whether former players have dementia as a consequence of brain damage from playing the game.

Three members of England's 1966 World Cup squad — Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson — have Alzheimer's, family members told Saturday's Daily Mirror newspaper.

Concerns have grown in Britain about the impact of head injuries after campaigning by the family of former England striker Jeff Astle, whose death in 2002 was attributed to repeatedly heading heavy, leather balls.

English FA medical head Ian Beasley is seeking assistance from world soccer's governing body to help determine if there are definitive long-term health dangers from playing the game, and if prospective players should be warned.

"We are taking some research questions to FIFA imminently to ask, 'Can you help us in trying to find out if dementia is more common in ex-professional footballers?'" Beasley told The Associated Press on Saturday.

"The trouble is we just don't know ... it's a massive undertaking to try and decide whether there's an association between having played professional football and cognitive decline, dementia you might call it commonly — brain damage causing functional impairment over time. We just don't know. It's always tempting to say 'It must be.' But we're not sure."

Last year, the U.S. Soccer Federation recommended a ban on headers for players 10 and under in a bid to address concerns about the impact of head injuries.

Beasley, who is also the England team doctor, wants researchers to assess whether the severity of any brain damage depends on which position the person played, how many games they played, and at which level.

"The hope is (FIFA) will tell us one way or another," Beasley said. "This is a health and safety issue in the end, and that's what it will come down to. You may still want to be a professional footballer but at least we can advise you what the chances are of something irreversible happening to you."

FIFA chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak was not aware of the FA seeking specific research into links between footballers' brain trauma and dementia.

"We have very little evidence that would substantiate that assumption for football players," Dvorak told the AP at the Football Medicine Strategies conference in London. "But that's the reason why we are also studying the long-term changes of former professional male and female footballers. Not only for brain dysfunction but also early onset of osteoarthritis.

"We are looking at the long-term changes without having any suspicions yet." 

Demichelis on Man City standby as Otamendi adds to injury doubts ahead of PSG

Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi limped away from the stadium after helping Man City beat West Brom at the weekend.

Manchester City face the possibility of Martin Demichelis being drafted in to face Paris St Germain in Tuesday night's Champions League crunch.

Nicolas Otamendi limped away from the Etihad Stadium with an unspecified injury on Saturday after helping the Blues to a 2-1 win over West Brom.

And with Vincent Kompany said to be “touch and go” as he seeks to return from his latest calf injury, the Blues will be sweating on the fitness of Otamendi.

At first sight it does not appear to be a serious problem – it possibly occurred when he landed awkwardly whilst forward for a corner after 23 minutes.

He was seen grimacing after that with what may have been a groin or thigh tweak, but – despite hobbling as he left the field at half time and full time – he completed the match.

The limp was more pronounced afterwards, leading to speculation he had suffered another deadleg, the injury which kept him out of the Manchester derby last month – and saw the fateful inclusion of Demichelis.

Kompany spent his 30th birthday on Sunday working in a desperate bid to be ready as the Blues defend an advantage given by a 2-2 draw in Paris last week.

He may join full training on Monday, and said after Saturday's game that he was “touch and go”.

In the worst case scenario, neither Kompany nor Otamendi will be fit and the central defensive pairing will be Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala – their only league games together this season have brought disastrous defensive displays in home defeats by Liverpool and United.