Raissa's Blog - Best of Sports, Culture, and Entertainment

The wait is over for Lionel Messi and Argentina who had not lifted a major international trophy since 1993. After over a decade of trophy-winning with Barcelona, Lionel Messi finally won a major title with Argentina (in his 10th major tournament). Argentina's 1-0 victory in the Copa America final on Saturday was the result of team effort - being Argentina's first and only goal in the tournament (out of 12) not to involve Messi.  Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni took the risk of changing the team that won the semi-finals and it proved worthwhile. Guido Rodriguez gave way to Leandro Paredes, and Nicolas Gonzales on the left wing gave way to Angel di Maria - who scored the winner. He also changed the 4-3-3 line-up for a 4-4-2. The Argentine captain had an opportunity to sign off Argentina's win with an extra goal but slipped with the goal at his mercy. Messi was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the tournament alongside Neymar, and won the Golden Boot for most goals scored -

Finally! Argentina has overcome its Copa America penalty shootout demons and defeated Colombia to advance to the Copa America final match-up with Brazil - and the hero of the day was Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez. Both teams faced each other for 90 minutes and had to go to penalties as stipulates by the rules, with a 1-1 draw. Lautaro Martinez scored for Argentina early in the first half (in the 7th minute), from a Messi assist and Luis Diaz equalized for Colombia in the 61st minute of play. A trash-talking, hip-thrusting Emiliano Martinez saved three of the five penalties he faced, while Messi, Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez did well to convert their chances from the spot for Argentina. Messi labelled 28-year-old "Emi" Martinez a "phenomenon" for his three shoot-out saves.  "We've got Dibu, who is a phenomenon," said Messi. "We trusted him. We achieved the goal of being able to play all the games and now we are going to the final.&

Argentina's 3-0 win over Ecuador in the Copa America quarterfinal was largely orchestrated by their captain and talisman Lionel Messi. Messi's goal on Saturday was his 76th for Argentina, taking him to within one of Pele's South American record. Messi missed a golden opportunity to give Argentina the lead early on as he hit the post with a shot when through on goal. He later provided assists for Rodrigo de Paul 41 minutes into the game and for Lautaro Martinez five minutes into stoppage time to give Argentina a much deserved victory.  Leo's goal - his second free-kick of the tournament was scored in stoppage time.  "I've always said that individual prizes are secondary, we're here for something else," Messi said. "We have an objective and we're focused on that.  I want to congratulate the group for the work they are doing - we have been away from our families for many days. "   He added: "It was a hard match. We know how difficul

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.