MESSI LEADS ARGENTINA TO COPA AMERICA GLORY

Lionel Messi finally able to secure his first international medal with Argentina to his collection of La Liga, Champions League, World Club Cup, Ballon d’Or and more. Clearly he is in tears, succumbed to the atmosphere finally realizing the dreams have come true at last.

Argentina have also won their first major title in 28 years on Saturday when an Angel Di Maria goal gave them a 1-0 win over Brazil and a record-equalling 15th Copa America. The victory also means they draw level with Uruguay as the all-time leading winners.

Di Maria, starting for just the second time in the Copa, justified his selection by scoring the opener in the 22nd minute in the first half. Argentina managed to defend even when Brazil piled on the pressure in an exciting second half but even with five strikers on the field they could not get an equaliser against an Argentine defence protected by the outstanding Rodrigo De Paul.

THE MATCH

Messi finished the tournament’s joint top goalscorer with four goals and was elected joint best player along with Neymar. The historic game was played at the legendary Maracana Stadium, Rio De Janerio. A true footballing temple where the best Brazilian legends have won many great titles here. The Argentinian nicknamed this stadium Maracanazo.

"This is a very big title," said Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni who last won a major Champion at U20 World Cup in Malaysia in 1997 along with Pablo Aimar and Walter Samuel which are also in his Argentinian coaching staffs. This win extended their sequence of undefeated matches to 20 under Scaloni.

Amidst all the Copa America celebration, it is hard not to mention the one and only Diego Armando Maradona. So sad that he was not able to be here to see Argentina lift this Cup. He is surely looking from above, proud of his countrymen especially Messi.

Argentina won this for him too!

By: Faiz Hakim

Photo: Copa America/AFP

TIGERS UNITED

ENGLAND BEAT DENMARK TO ENTER FIRST EURO FINAL

England reached their first major tournament final since 1966 after defeating Denmark 2-1 in Euro quarterfinals. Captain Harry Kane fired his side into European Championship final by tapping in the rebound to his saved penalty in extra-time.

Despite being tired of traveling, Denmark showed a lot of determination from the kick-off. Mikkel Damsgaard ended England's run of clean sheets with a superb freekick to beat Jordan Pickford in the 30th minute. The Three Lions responded with increasing the pressure on Denmark. Nine minutes later, Bukayo Saka delivered a fine pass into the danger area for Raheem Sterling, but was intercepted by Simon Kjaer and the ball ended into his own net.

THE MATCH

The 1-1 score remained until the full time whistle. As the match got into the extra-time, England pegged back a tiring Denmark side. In the 103rd minute, Sterling was brought down in the penalty area by Joakim Maehle. Kane took the spotkick, Kasper Schmeichel saved it but the ball rebounded for Kane to slam-in the winner.

Although Denmark are out of the tournament, they had a great story to be remembered. England are finally in the Euro final for the first time. They will meet Italy for the championship at Wembley again next Monday.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

TIGERS SUPER SPORTS

ARGENTINA TO FACE BRAZIL IN COPA AMERICA FINAL

Argentina reached the Copa America final after they beat Colombia 3-2 in penalty shootouts. The semifinal match in Brasilia ended 1-1 after ninety minutes. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero for Argentina as he saved three shots.

Argentina took early advantage when Lautaro Martinez fired into the net from Lionel Messi's pass in the 7th minute. The match was so intense as ten yellow cards were shown by the referees. Both sides had almost the same amount of opportunities and possessions. Colombia's equaliser came in the 61st minute when Luis Diaz scored from a tight angle to complete a surprise counter attack.

In the shootouts, Martinez saved Colombia's spot kicks by Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona. Messi, Leandro Paredes and Martinez scored from the spot to send Argentina for the title decider against Brazil. Argentina are now unbeaten in 19 games are set for the final showdown at the Maracana on Saturday.

Photo: Copa America/AFP

TIGERS UNITED

ITALY IN EURO FINAL AFTER BEATING SPAIN ON PENALTIES

Italy beat Spain 4-2 in penalty shootouts to booked a spot in the Euro 2020 final. The semifinal clash at Wembley Stadium ended with a 1-1 draw and the winner have to be decided through penalties. Alvaro Morata failed to score his spot kick, and Jorginho delivered the winner for the Azzurri.

After having impressive runs in this tournament, the match between the two sides was expected to be a very tight contest. In the 60th minute, Federico Chiesa looked as if he had sent Italy through with a wonderful shot from a counter attack. However, Morata came on to slot the equaliser with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

Roberto Mancini had lead Italy to be one the best team in this tournament. They had won all their previous 13 games and deserve the place in the final. The Azzurri will play against England or Denmark in the final this Sunday.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

SUFI SUPER YACHTS

BRAZIL IN COPA AMERICA FINAL AFTER WIN OVER PERU

Defending champions Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in the Copa America semifinals at Estádio Nilton Santos in Rio. Lucas Paqueta scored the winner in the 35th minute to secure his team spot in the Copa America final.

The semifinal was a repeat of the last final, two years ago, when a Brazil team shorn of the injured Neymar also triumphed on home soil. The Selecao dominated the first half but Peru gave the home side some nervous moments after the break. In the 36th minute, Neymar produced his magic to set up for Paqueta to score the only goal. Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was the busiest player throughout the match as he saved many attempts by Brazil. 

Brazil will play the winner of another semifinals clash between Argentina and Colombia. They have now gone 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, and eyeing for the 10th Copa America title.

TIGERS UNITED

ENGLAND THRASH UKRAINE, DENMARK EDGE CZECH

England displayed extraordinary performance when they thrashed Ukraine 4-0 in Rome on Saturday. Skipper Harry Kane found the net twice as they reached the Euro semifinals for the first time in 25 years.

England were ahead after just four minutes at the Stadio Olimpico when Kane converted Raheem Sterling through ball. Both teams went into the break with just one goal separating them. Then Harry Maguire headed home for England's second in less than a minute into the second half.

TIGERS UNITED

In the 50th minute, Kane scored England's third as Ukraine's losing their focus. Gareth Southgate sent in Jordan Henderson and scored his first international goal in the 63rd minute to ensure England comfortably cruise into the last four. The Three Lions will face Denmark at Wembley in the semifinals.

In another quarterfinals match, Denmark edged Czech Republic 2-1 to join the last four. Thomas Delaney opened the scoring in the 5th minute, before Kasper Dolberg doubled the advantage three minutes before the break. Patrick Schick pulled a goal back for the Czechs, but Denmark held on to claim the victory.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

SUFI SUPER YACHTS

ITALY AND SPAIN REACH EURO SEMIFINALS

Italy ended Belgium's good run in Euro 2020 with a narrow 2-1 win at Allianz Arena. The clash between the two favourites can be regarded as an anti-climax because both sides have been showing entertaining performance throughout this campaign. It was very unfortunate as they had to meet in the quarterfinals.

As expected, the match started with a lot of qualities. However, Nicolo Barella managed to get the breakthrough for Italy with a goal in the 31st minute. Lorenzo Insigne doubled the lead for the Azzurri in the 44th minute. Romelu Lukaku brought Belgium back into the match with a goal right before the break.

3-5-2 FOOTBALL

Belgium went all out in the second half in search for an equaliser. However, Italy were rock solid and hard to break. The score remained until the final whistle and Italy are through into the semifinals.

In another Euro quarterfinals, Spain beat Switzerland in penalty shootouts to reach the next stage. Denis Zakaria own goal in the 8th minute gave Spain the lead. However, Xherdan Shaqiri equalised for the Swiss in the 68th minute.

Switzerland were reduced to 10-man in the 77th minute after Remo Frueler was shown red card by the referee. The score were tied until end of extra-time and the winner have to be decided through penalty shootouts.  Swiss substitute Ruben Vargas was in tears at full-time after he blasted his penalty over the bar, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to score the decider for Spain.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

TIGERS SUPER SPORTS

SPAIN BEAT CROATIA IN EXTRA TIME, SWITZERLAND BEAT FRANCE IN SHOOTOUTS

Spain overcame a late scare by Croatia to secure a place in the Euro quarterfinals. The three time Euro champions were already in a comfortable zone until the 85th minute when Croatia made a comeback attempt and dragged the match into extra-time.

Croatia took the lead in the 20th minute from Pedri's own goal. However Pablo Sarabia leveled the score 38th minute. Cesar Azpilicueta put Spain ahead in the 57th minute. In the 77th minute, Ferran Torres netted the third goal for Spain.

Croatia did not give up and increased the pressure in search for goal. Just five minutes before the final whistle, Mislav Orsic gave his team a fighting chance. As they pushed for a miracle, Mario Pasalic made it 3-3 in the added time.

TIGERS UNITED

Both teams have to play another 30 minutes of extra-time. Alvaro Morata scored Spain's fourth goal in the 100th minute. Three minutes later, Mikel Oyarzabal added their fifth and sealed a place in the quarterfinals. 

Switzerland pulled-off a massive upset against world champions France as they won 5-4 on penalties to make the quarterfinals. France had turned on the style in the second half and looked on course for a big win. But Switzerland fought back and the match have to be decided through penalty shoot-outs. Kylian Mbappe missed the fifth French penalty to give Switzerland the win.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

3-5-2 FOOTBALL

DENMARK ELIMINATE WALES TO REACH EURO QUARTERFINALS

Denmark produced one of their best performance in Euro championship as they thrashed Wales 4-0 in the last 16. Kasper Dolberg became the hero in Amsterdam by scoring the first two goals for his team.

After having a poor start in this campaign, Denmark is improving in every match. Dolberg opened the scoring in the 27th minute and gave his team a 1-0 lead at half time. Just three minutes after the match resumed, Dolberg found the net again to double their lead.

TSS EVERYWHERE

Joakim Mæhle scored the third goal in the 88th minute to shut any chance for a Welsh comeback. Martin Braithwaite ensured Denmark marched into the quarterfinals as a serious title challenger with another goal in the added time.

In another match, Italy edged Austria 2-1 to move into the last eight. After a goalless 90 minutes, Federico Chiesa broke the deadlock just five minutes into extra time. Matteo Pessina scored Italy's second in the 105th minute. In the 114th minute Saša Kalajdžić found the net for Austria, but Italy held on to secure the quarterfinals spot.

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

ASIA SPORTS CHANNEL

GERMANY STUN PORTUGAL, FRANCE HELD BY HUNGARY

Germany bounced back from their unimpressive starts in their Euro 2020 campaign with a 4-2 victory over defending champions Portugal. The Germans were more organized in the match at the Allianz Arena while Portugal struggled with chaotic moments in the defence.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a perfect start in the 15th minute. It is his 12th goal from five Euro competitions. However the Portugal's defenders could not play the same level as their captain. Two own goals by Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro put them behind at half time.

ASIA SPORTS CHANNEL

Kai Havertz scored Germany's third, just six minutes after the match resumed. Robin Gosens made it four in the 60th minute to send Germany further ahead. Diogo Jota pulled one back for Portugal, but the score remained until the final whistle.

In another Group F match, World Champions France were held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary. Hungary took the lead right before the break through Attila Fiola. However, Antoine Griezmann equalised for France in the 66th minute. France could not find the winner as Hungary displayed a stronger performance than their opening match. 

Photo: UEFA EURO 2020

LABUAN 10'S