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Lionel Messi has now surpassed Javier Mascherano to become Argentina's most capped player, a record he set in his 148th national team appearance. Argentina faced Bolivia in their last Copa America group stage game on Monday, with Messi scoring twice and setting up another goal as Argentina routed their opponents 4-1, topping Group A. Messi achieved those strides in just 42 minutes of play, and was taken off the pitch. Argentina will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals in Goiana, and have now gone 17 games unbeaten. Messi has taken his international goals tally to 75 goals with the brace scored last night. Messi who has appeared in three Copa America finals and the 2014 World Cup final - all lost by Argentina - is hoping to lay hands on some silverware with country. On the eve of the Copa, he said: "I've been lucky enough to win everything at club level and individual level and it would be lovely also to win something with the national side," the 34-year-old said.

It's the end of the Euro race for 36-year-old Portugal ace Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal captain failed to make much of an impact against Belgium, but is leaving as the tournament's top scorer with five goals to his name. He is also the top scorer in the history of the competition. He matched Ali Dael as the all-time leading scorer in international football with the goals he scored during the group stage of this Euro campaign. Thorgan Hazard scored the winner for Belgium in the first half of the game, with Portugal unable to break through the Belgian defense for an equalizer. When the final whistle was blown, a visibly furious Cristiano took off his armband and slammed on the pitch before kicking it. He approached Belgium's keeper Thibault Courtois after the game and said: "Lucky eh? The ball didn't want to get in today." Courtois comfortably saved a 25th minute free-kick taken by Ronaldo. Ronaldo's second chance at scoring a free-kick from a better ...

Barcelona had a huge win over Getafe on Thursday night in a thrilling game. Messi opened scoring in the 8th minute before Getafe equalized through Clement Lenglet's own goal. Messi made it 3-1 in the 33rd minute, then Getafe reduced Barcelona’s lead through a penalty converted by Enes Unai. Unfortunately for Getafe, goals by Ronald Araujo and Antoine Griezmann sealed Barcelona's victory. Araujo's goal was assisted by Lionel Messi.  Messi had the opportunity to secure yet another career hat-trick when Griezmann was fouled in the box and Barcelona was awarded a penalty. Messi, despite being Barcelona's designated penalty-kick taker gave Griezmann the ball, and he converted the goal, making it 5-2 in Barcelona's favor.  Messi's brace on Thursday means he and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only players from the 'top five' European leagues to have scored at least 25 goals in 12 different seasons this century.

Barcelona easily cruised to their first trophy of 2020-21 - their first silverware since 2019 - as they thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4 goals to nothing. Barcelona were unable to find their breakthrough despite having a lion's share of ball possession until the 60th minute. Antoine Griezmann turned in Frenkie de Jong's cross to give Barcelona their first. Barcelona would go on to score three more goals in the space of 12 minutes. De Jong scored Barcelona's second, merely 3 minutes after Griezmann's. Thereon, it was a Messi show, with the Argentine driving from his own half, exchanging twice with De Jong to score Barcelona’s third. His second goal - Barcelona's fourth - came in four minutes after his first - a truly sublime goal. Messi's brace takes his goal tally for the season to 31 goals. As of now, he has scored more than 3 goals for Barcelona in all competitions in 13 straight seasons. Barcelona have now won the Copa del Rey 31 times. Messi passed Telmo Zar...

Buckingham Palace today April 9, announced the passing away of  Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who served as consort to his wife Queen Elizabeth II for more than 60 years. He died at the age of 99. "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the statement read. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle." "Further announcements will be made in due course." "The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss." The Duke of Edinburgh, whom Queen Elizabeth referred to as “my strength and stay,” was hospitalized in February after “feeling unwell , ” and was treated for an infection and a preexisting heart condition, Buckingham Palace said. He was released a month later after undergoing a heart procedure. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has offered condolences to the Que...

Former Portugal international Fernando Meira has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo for his explosive reaction after his winner for Portugal was disallowed.  Ronaldo's goal clearly crossed the line despite Aleksandar Mitrovic getting back to clear the ball, but referee  Danny Makkelie  waved play on after consulting with his linesman, sending the five-time Ballon d'Or winner into untold rage. Alas,  there was no VAR or goal-line technology to check the call. The 36-year-old threw his captain's armband down and stormed off the pitch after seeing the goal chalked off, with the match ultimately ending 2-2. "It's a clear goal, but Ronaldo cannot throw Portugal's captain's armband on the floor,"  said Meira,  who has 54 Portugal caps. "Cristiano's reaction is natural but unacceptable for the captain of the national team. You cannot throw the captain's armband on the floor and go towards the changing room while the game is still going on. ...