Tag: Copa America

Neymar slams CONMEBOL as Gabriel Jesus ruled out of final with two-game ban

Brazil striker Neymar has hit out at South American football body CONMEBOL after confirmation Gabriel Jesus is out of the Copa America final against Argentina because of a red card he received during his team’s 1-0 quarterfinal win over Chile.

CONMEBOL said in a statement on Tuesday it suspended Jesus for two matches. The striker didn’t play on Monday in Brazil’s 1-0 semifinal victory against Peru, being replaced by winger Everton.

Neymar Jr.

Jesus was sent off shortly before the second half of Brazil’s victory against Chile after he hit Eugenio Mena with a flying kick. The Brazilian said it was an accident and apologised.

“It is very sad to be on the hands of people who make this kind of decisions,” Neymar said of the incident on Instagram.

CONMEBOL also fined Jesus $5,000. Brazil cannot appeal the decision. Jesus said on Instagram he did not agree with the decision.

“Two-match ban and no appeal? Congratulations CONMEBOL. I think you didn’t see what happened right,” he wrote.

Neymar also posted on Instagram to support his teammate.

The Copa America final will be played on Saturday at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Two years ago Jesus scored a goal and had an assist in Brazil’s 3-1 win in the Copa America final against Peru, but he was also sent off after a harsh tackle. He is the only player who has received a red card twice under coach Tite.

(Story from Associated Press)

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Copa America: Argentina’s Messi tells Yerry Mina to ‘Dance now’ following shootout win

A fired-up Lionel Messi mocked Yerry Mina, telling him to “Dance now,” as Argentina beat Colombia on penalties on Tuesday to set up a Copa America final against Brazil.

Everton defender Mina missed Colombia’s third penalty as Argentina won 3-2 following a 1-1 draw in normal time in Brasilia.

Mina is known for dancing after scoring goals and pulled out his trademark celebration in the quarterfinal after netting in the shootout win over Uruguay.

However, Mina’s penalty was saved by Emiliano Martinez on Tuesday, with television footage cutting to Messi screaming, “Dance now” at his former Barcelona teammate from the halfway line.

Yerry Mina

With the game played without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, the footage also picked up Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez’s attempts to put off Mina in the build-up to the penalty.

“Look, the ball’s not on the spot,” he told the referee as the centre-back stepped up to shoot.

He then shouted at Mina: “You’re nervous, huh? I can tell you’re nervous. I know where you’re going to shoot. Watch and see how I’m going to eat you up. Remember, I’m going to eat you up.”

Luis Diaz’s second-half goal canceled out Lautaro Martinez’s opener for Argentina and took the game to penalties, with no extra time in the Copa America except for in the final.

In the shootout, Martinez also saved from Davinson Sanchez and Edwin Cardona to help the Albiceleste progress to Saturday’s final against Brazil at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

“It was a tough game, but we deserved to win,” Messi said. “We had to dig deep at times, but we have [Martinez] and he’s a phenomenon. I’m really happy for him; he deserves it.”

Messi, who is a free agent after his Barcelona contract expired on June 30, has never won a major trophy with Argentina.

He won the U20 World Cup and the Olympic Games with the U23s, but has lost four finals with the senior side, including three in the Copa America.

“It’s the final [against Brazil] that we were all hoping for,” Messi said. “It’s going to be a very even game, a very tough game. We’ve achieved our main goal, which was to reach the final itself. Now we have to try and win it.”

(Story from ESPN FC by Sam Marsden & Moises Llorens)