Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni has commented on captain Lionel Messi’s penalty miss against Ecuador at Copa America 2024.

Messi missed his penalty during La Albiceleste’s Copa America 2024 quarter-final victory against Ecuador on Thursday.

Scaloni’s side won 4-2 on penalties after the match had ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, thanks to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who made two saves.

Speaking after the game, Scaloni said even with Messi’s penalty save, his team knew that something positive was going to happen.

Scaloni said, as quoted by All About Argentina on X: “In penalties, the team has blind confidence in their goalkeeper, and for us, that is fundamental.

“Even with Leo missing, the team knew that something positive was going to happen.”

French born Coach Éric Chelle of Mali has expressed his desire of coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Chelle, who guided the Malian team to the quarter-finals of the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and secured a 2-0 victory over Nigeria in a recent friendly match, shared his aspiration in a recent interview.

The former Lens captain stated that it would be an honour and a proud moment for him to coach Nigeria.

He said Super Eagles have a rich history and immense talent, and he believes he could contribute to their success.

Nigeria’s football scene has experienced significant turbulence recently.

After parting ways with Coach José Peseiro following the AFCON, the Nigerian Football Federation appointed Finidi George, who was subsequently dismissed after just two games.

This instability has left the Super Eagles in a precarious position, with their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hanging in the balance.

The tactician has taken charge of 22 matches, winning 14, drawing 5, and losing just 3, between 2022 and 2024.

Fans and analysts alike are keen to see if the Nigerian Football Federation will consider Chelle’s candidacy as they seek to stabilise and strengthen the Super Eagles ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum, is positive of a good outing at the 2024 Olympic Games despite his team been drawn in a tough group.

The West Africans are in Group C with Brazil,

former world champions Japan, and reigning world champions Spain.

Waldrum unveiled his squad for the women’s football event on Thursday.

The Super Falcons made a big impact at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying from a tough group that has reigning Olympic champions Canada and Australia.

The American is optimistic his players can repeat their performance in Australia and New Zealand at the Olympics.

“I think this one could be a special group,” Waldrum told ESPN.

“We’ve shown our quality against some of the best teams in the world at the World Cup and hopefully, we’ll do the same at the Olympics.”

The Super Falcons will be up against Brazil in their first game at the Stade Bordeaux on July 25, before confrontations with Spain on July 28 and their final group game against Japan on July 31.

The matches against Spain and Japan will hold at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has reacted to his penalty miss against Ecuador at the Copa America 2024.

Recall that Messi missed his penalty kick as Argentina defeated Ecuador 4-2 in the quarter-final clash on Thursday to qualify for the semifinals.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made two saves during the penalty shootout.

The match had ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Messi said he was angry after missing his penalty kick.

“I was very angry because I was convinced to take it that way if the opportunity arose.

“I had talked with Dibu and Rulli in advance,” Mrssi told the press.

France captain, Kylian Mbappe has revealed that Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo always tries to give him “advice and keep up to date with what is going with him.”

Mbappe spoke ahead of France’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Portugal on Friday night.

According to him, it is “an honour” to play against the Al Nassr forward.

“It’s the admiration I have always had for Cristiano, for the player.

“Over time, I have had the chance to get to know him and talk to him many times. We’re still in touch,” said Mbappe at his pre-match press conference ahead of the match.

“He’s always trying to give me advice and keep up to date with what is going on.

“Playing against him is an honour for everything he has done in football.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their quest for a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with an away game against Libya, DAILY POST reports.

The draw ceremony took place in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday with the Super Eagles drawn in Group D with the North Africans, Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Matchday one and two will be played between September 2 and 10.

The rest of the qualifiers will be played in October and November.

The Super Eagles defeated Libya 3-2 the last time both teams met in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The top two teams in the group will qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals which will be staged in Morocco.

The competition will run between December 21, 2025 and January 18, 2026.

Erik ten Hag has signed a contract extension that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2026, the Premier League club announced on yesterday.

There had been intense speculation over the Dutchman’s future after a poor 2023/24 Premier League campaign but he guided the club to FA Cup success against Manchester City.

It was widely leaked in the British media last month that after a review by the club’s new part-owner, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, Ten Hag would be staying at the club. “Erik ten Hag has extended his contract as Manchester United men’s first-team manager until June 2026,” United said in a statement.
The former Ajax manager, whose deal had been due to expire in 2025, admitted there was work to be done to close the gap on United’s Premier League rivals.

“Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined,” he said.

“However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles.”

Dan Ashworth, Manchester United sporting director, said: “With two trophies in the past two seasons, Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in European football.

“While the club’s review of last season highlighted areas for improvement, it also reached a clear conclusion that Erik was the best partner for us to work with in driving up standards and outcomes.”

Ten Hag, 54, ended a six-year trophy drought for United in his first season by lifting the League Cup in 2023 and finished third in the league, encouraging fans that they might launch a Premier League title bid in 2023/24.

But they lost 14 games and ended with a negative goal difference, finishing a whopping 31 points behind champions Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta has dropped the strongest hint yet that he will sign a new contract at Arsenal by insisting he doesn’t “predict any issues happening” when talks take place.

The 42-year-old’s existing deal expires in the summer of 2025 and it was initially expected that negotiations would be held at the end of last season.

However, all parties have prioritised planning for the next campaign instead and Arteta has assembled nine players not involved in either Euro 2024 or the Copa América for a summer training camp in Marbella.

Speaking to ESPN from the Spanish city in an exclusive interview, Arteta said: “There is no update [on his contract] at the moment. The thing that hasn’t changed is how happy I am and how valued I feel here and how much I love representing this club.

“Things happen in a natural way and our relationship is that good that I don’t predict any issues happening. But things have to develop in the right way and it will happen.”

Pushed on whether clarity over his future would help demonstrate stability for future signings, Arteta continued: “I understand that but the focus now is ‘OK, how we can improve things around the team, how we can improve now the things in the transfer window that we have.’ We have time to sit down and discuss that.”

Arsenal are monitoring Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, sources have told ESPN, but are yet to make any fresh moves in the market..

Super Falcons star, Halimat Ayinde is optimistic she will emerge stronger from her latest injury setback.

Ayinde was forced to pull out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Olympic Games after sustaining an injury in training at her Swedish club, Rosengard.

The 29-year-old has struggled to stay on her feet in recent times missing crucial games for club and country.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the defensive midfielder vowed to bounce back from the injury.

Ayinde also eulogised her club and teammates for their unwavering support.

“With a heavy heart, I announce I won’t be part of the Super Falcons for the Olympics.

“I’m deeply grateful to FC Rosengård and my teammates for their support and love. Best of luck to my fellow Super Falcons.

“I’ll be cheering for you and will return stronger. Go Super Falcons,” Ayinde wrote on her X account.

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum is expected to name a replacement for the player in his squad for the games.

Novak Djokovic came through a testing Wimbledon workout to stay on course for a record-equalling eighth men’s title yesterday.

Seven-time champion Djokovic did not have it all his own way against British wild card Jacob Fearnley but came through 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in a second-round match lasting three hours.

It appeared to be business as usual for the Serbian as he coasted into a two-set lead on Centre Court but the 277th-ranked Fearnley broke his illustrious opponent twice in the third set to reduce the deficit.
Fearnley, playing in his first Grand Slam, carved out two break points in the sixth game of the fourth set but missed his chance and Djokovic broke in the 11th game before serving out for the win.

“I didn’t have a chance to see him play,” said Djokovic, 37. “Actually two days ago, I saw him for the first time

“Obviously there’s always an element of surprise and with him having nothing to lose.”

“Most of the British players grow up being exposed to grass courts, quick surfaces, so they know exactly how to play. It’s a very windy day, very challenging conditions and I thought he served very well.”

Djokovic, who is playing with protection after a recent knee operation, is seeking to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles and is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title.