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Dan Edwards

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Peru's forward Alex Valera and Peru's defender Luis Advincula during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Peru at the La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on November 19, 2024.

Argentina top World Cup qualifying group – but are they running on fumes?

Yesterday 17:36 If the Albiceleste, as some of the more hysterical sectors of the sporting press have begun to hint, is entering a crisis, it is an extremely curious kind of crisis.

by Dan Edwards

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Paraguay and Argentina at the Ueno Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción on November 14, 2024.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Paraguay's anti-Messi approach pays off with Argentina win

15-11-2024 14:36 Paraguay inflict a rare defeat on Lionel Scaloni's charges, giving their World Cup 2026 qualification hopes a huge boost.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Gustavo Costas gives soul to Argentina’s exhilarating spectacles

08-11-2024 00:45 Grizzled coach Gustavo Costas provides a connecting thread as Racing end three-decade drought to reach club's first continental decider in 32 years.

by Dan Edwards

FORMULA 1

Franco Colapinto, Argentina’s new star attraction, draws fans to F1

01-11-2024 07:34 As anyone who has ever driven in Buenos Aires or negotiated the monolithic speedway that is the Panamericana highway out of the capital can attest, racing is in Argentina’s blood.

by Dan Edwards

River Plate's head coach Marcelo Gallardo.

COPA LIBERTADORES

River need a miracle after Libertadores humbling

25-10-2024 09:58 Tuesday's disaster in the Estadio Mineirão demonstrated the scale of the task ahead for Marcelo Gallardo.

by Dan Edwards

International football

Dominant Messi in no rush to walk away from Argentina

19-10-2024 09:32 Tuesday night’s 6-0 thrashing of Bolivia proved to be another dream evening for Argentina's evergreen talisman, who once more rolled back the years to leave his audience spellbound and wanting more.

by Dan Edwards

Argentina's midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and Venezuela's midfielder Yeferson Soteldo fight for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Venezuela and Argentina, at the Monumental de Maturín stadium in Maturín, Venezuela, on October 10, 2024.

International football

Albiceleste take the positives from a waterlogged clash in Venezuela

10-10-2024 23:19 The most remarkable thing by far about Argentina's otherwise wholly unremarkable stalemate against Venezuela is that the game went ahead in the first place.

by Dan Edwards

Football in Argentina

Boca eye Gago as next in line to test Gallardo’s supremacy

02-10-2024 22:23 After Diego Martínez's Boca tenure ended with a whimper, the Xeneize are once again back to the drawing board. Fernando Gago would bring a fresh, adventurous style of play – the kind that has been rarely seen at La Bombonera of late.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL

River faithful on cloud nine as 'El Muñeco' continues to torture Boca

25-09-2024 22:01 Marcelo Gallardo, Boca’s executioner-in-chief, raised temperatures by holding his nose while walking onto the La Bombonera turf, provoking the wrath of the home support. By the end of 90 minutes, however, those same fans were turning on their own.

by Dan Edwards

Football in Argentina

River cling on in Santiago to round off another eventful week

21-09-2024 00:33 River in the Libertadores, a title race is looking like a procession, Messi explodes back onto the scene, a ‘Chiqui’ Tapia masterclass and the futsal ‘muchachos’ fly the flag.

by Dan Edwards

Colombia's defender Yerson Mosquera (right) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Colombia and Argentina, at the Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, on September 10, 2024.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi-less Albiceleste drop points – but no need to panic

12-09-2024 16:47 Argentina caught a glimpse of what that future without Lionel Messi may hold. And thankfully, it is not entirely bleak.

by Dan Edwards

Vélez Sarsfield head coach Guillermo Quinteros.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Quinteros leads Vélez Sarsfield through a storming winter revival

30-08-2024 09:17 A sparkling run of six wins in seven game, culminating in last Monday’s 5-0 demolition of Barracas Central, has left Vélez at the summit of Argentina’s top flight.

by Dan Edwards

Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia, the head of AFA, and President Javier Milei.

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Milei’s sets collision course with AFA in club ownership row

23-08-2024 14:41 A conflict is brewing that could tear the nation's game down the middle. President Milei’s government is bent on imposing a new club ownership model that would privatise sporting institutions, but its arguments for the change do not stand up to scrutiny.

by Dan Edwards

River Plate's head coach Marcelo Gallardo gestures during the Copa Libertadores round of 16 first leg all-Argentine football match between Talleres de Cordoba and River Plate at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba, Argentina, on August 14, 2024.

Football in Argentina

Gallardo is back at River for one purpose: glory

15-08-2024 17:38 River are already showing signs of switching from the patient, thoughtful, at times ponderous football which characterised them under Demichelis to Gallardo’s patented break-neck style, but it will take time for heads and legs to start responding to this increase in velocity.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Can underdogs break up Superclásico dominance of Argentina’s top flight?

09-08-2024 13:04 In a cash-starved league like Argentina's where player and coaching turnover is at astronomical levels this by definition gives the Buenos Aires heavyweights the advantage almost before a single ball is kicked.

by Dan Edwards

Copa América 2024

Copa victory caps stunning run for Argentina’s golden generation

15-07-2024 15:46 The last three years have been ones to remember for this Argentina team and with this latest victory, they are surely the greatest that this football-addicted nation has ever seen.

by Dan Edwards

Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi of Argentina celebrate after winning the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 semifinal match between Canada and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 09, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Copa América 2024

Argentina's old masters lead way to Copa América final

10-07-2024 15:04 Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María are enjoying every minute of what could be their international farewell. But thankfully, this Argentina team remains so resilient as to absorb almost any departure, even those two legends.

by Dan Edwards

Football in Argentina

Clubs ready their wallets as Liga Profesional de Fútbol pauses

14-06-2024 12:30 Last call for league football before Copa América kicks off – let transfer silly season begin!

by Dan Edwards

Football

Countdown to Argentina's Copa América defence begins

07-06-2024 16:58 After four games no fewer than four teams sit at the top of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol, but in Argentina, all eyes are about to switch to Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste.

by Dan Edwards

Football in Argentina

Football isn’t always a young man’s game

31-05-2024 13:27 Racing Club’s Gustavo Costas is overseeing a fine run of form at his beloved boyhood club and his formula is working like a charm.

by Dan Edwards

Football in Argentina

Beware coaches… success is nothing if not ephemeral

25-05-2024 05:17 Football is a cut-throat business, whether you are coaching at the nation's biggest clubs or fighting down the bottom of the table.

by Dan Edwards

Football in Argentina

Thrilling start as Argentina's top flight kicks off (again)

17-05-2024 11:28 There was certainly no shortage of goals in this first round of Liga Profesional fixtures.

by Dan Edwards

César Luis Menotti (1938-2024)

‘El Flaco’ left an indelible mark on Argentine football

07-05-2024 16:48 César Luis Menotti will be forever associated with football and the nation he took to the top of the world, in the most difficult of circumstances.

by Dan Edwards

Estudiantes de La Plata vs. Vélez Sarsfield; Sunday, May 5, 5.30pm; Estadio Madre de Ciudades de Santiago del Estero.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Copa de la Liga deals up surprise Vélez-Estudiantes final

02-05-2024 19:42 Vélez Sarsfield and Estudiantes will be gunning for the title in Sunday’s final, a match-up that cannot fail to evoke memories of the sides’ most recent glory days over a decade ago

by Dan Edwards

Boca Juniors' Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani celebrates with teammates after winning during the Argentine Professional Football League Cup quarter-final match between River Plate and Boca Juniors at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Cordoba, Argentina, on April 21, 2024.

Football in Argentina

Superclásico victory boosts Boca’s Copa hopes

25-04-2024 20:16 Boca's 3-2 victory over rivals River was a vindication of the work Diego Martínez has put in to whip the Xeneize into shape since taking over as coach.

by Dan Edwards

Superclásico: Boca Juniors v River Plate.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Copa drama sets up first Superclásico with both sets of fans since 2018

19-04-2024 11:23 The final round of Copa de la Liga fixtures brought a festival of gripping football which kept fans glued to their chairs.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Copa de la Liga Profesional qualification goes down to the wire

11-04-2024 21:58 Conceived in 2019 as a hybrid stopgap to plug a few holes in the fixture schedule, the Copa de la Liga Profesional has taken on its own life as a worthy tournament in its own right.

by Dan Edwards

Boca Juniors players wait to board a plane to Bolivia for their Copa Sudamericana clash against Nacional Potosí.

FOOTBALL

Boca’s trip to Bolivia turns into an Odyssey

04-04-2024 00:34 Logistical nightmares for Boca and River, but both return safe from overseas trips with good results from continental competitions.

by Dan Edwards

INTERVIEW

Agüero wants consistent criteria for use of VAR in football

29-03-2024 05:22 Former Independiente, Manchester City and Argentina star Sergio Agüero reminisces about winning an Olympic gold medal and tips wonderkid Claudio Echeverri to do well at his former club.

by Dan Edwards

Estudiantes had played less than half an hour against the Xeneize when Javier Altamirano suddenly went to the floor off the ball. It instantly became clear that the Chilean midfielder had suffered a serious issue, halting the game.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Altamirano scare sparks solidarity on pitch

22-03-2024 13:29 Every now and then, a timely reminder comes along that football, contrary to popular perception, is not more important than life or death.

by Dan Edwards

RUGBY SEVENS

Argentina's rugby sevens team soars to new heights

14-03-2024 11:45 Nation’s all-conquering rugby sevens team is burning bright and its stars are making a name for themselves.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Tevez’s spat with Tapia shows consequences of AFA’s chaos

08-03-2024 11:23 Carlos Tevez declared open rebellion against Argentine football's reigning powers this week after seeing his Independiente side held against Barracas Central, in a match peppered with dubious refereeing decisions.

by Dan Edwards

Boca Juniors v River Plate: Superclásico.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Superclásico takes centre-stage as derby weekend arrives in Argentina

22-02-2024 15:41 The weekend of clásicos is here and fans are licking their lips at the prospect of some tantalising clashes.

by Dan Edwards

Football

Argentina dare to dream of Olympic gold – will Messi be there too?

15-02-2024 15:38 Javier Masherano’s young side had to get to the Games in Paris first, and they did so in typically nail-biting fashion.

by Dan Edwards

Football

Newell's, Godoy Cruz make perfect start to Copa de la Liga

09-02-2024 08:56 The nation's top teams are battling through the heat to complete three rounds of Copa de la Liga fixtures in little more than 10 days.

by Dan Edwards

River Plate youngster Franco Mastontuano competes for the ball in a match against Barracas Central.

Football

River’s youth production line keeps churning out quality

01-02-2024 12:43 River's pre-season was dominated by the Claudio Echeverri saga, but another few gems – Franco Mastontuano, Agustín Ruberto and Ian Subiabre – seem to have rolled off the famous Millo assembly line.

by Dan Edwards

Carlos Tevez and Sergio Agüero share a chat.

SEASON PREVIEW

Agüero confident Tevez can spring a surprise with Independiente

27-01-2024 09:25 Ex-Independiente star believes the unpredictable nature of domestic football in Argentina opens the door for Carlos Tevez's side.

by Dan Edwards

Stars of this season? Ever Banega, Gabriel Ávalos, Claudio Echeverri will all be looking to make an impact in Argentina's Copa de la Liga Profesional.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Copa de la Liga Profesional returns – and anything could happen

27-01-2024 09:22 As we saw last year, the format of Argentina’s Copa de la Liga Profesional owes itself to the odd surprise. Forecasting what could happen is a fool’s game – and so here are some predictions.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL

Argentina’s Olympian ambitions put pressure on Mascherano

19-01-2024 11:34 Javier Masherano’s Argentina U23 team begin the road to potential Olympic glory on Sunday when the side takes on Paraguay

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Familiar tale as football wonderkids are snapped up European clubs

11-01-2024 19:23 So far in January, much of the discussion has revolved around two budding stars who look set to be lost to Argentine football – Valentín Barco and Claudio Echeverri are on their way to Premier League.

by Dan Edwards

A complicated 12 months ahead for Mauricio and Juan Román.

2024: THE YEAR IN PREVIEW

What lies ahead for Argentine football in 2024

06-01-2024 07:40 Your (tongue-firmly-in-cheek) guide to what lies ahead for Argentine football in the next 12 months.

by Dan Edwards

Boca idol Juan Román Riquelme will be the club's president for the next four years after defeating former head of state Mauricio Macri in club elections.

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Boca election result is a victory for Riquelme and clubs nationwide

22-12-2023 13:47 Ibarra and Macri proceeded in a desperate campaign to link Boca’s legendary ex-playmaker with some sort of shadowy plot to construct the Xeneize as the last bastion of evil Kirchnerism. Their gambit backfired.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Platense, Rosario Central head to scorching Santiago del Estero for final

14-12-2023 15:11 Santiago del Estero possesses a fantastic-looking, shiny new stadium, and it is in the Madre de Ciudades that the unlikely duo of Platense and Rosario Central face off in the final of the Copa de la Liga this Saturday.

by Dan Edwards

Boca Juniors fans demonstrate against the suspension of club elections.

Football in Argentina

Football briefly rears its head amid off-field scheming

08-12-2023 08:38 The action keeps on coming – the acrimonious battle for control of Boca remains in the spotlight, but Copa Liga play-offs and promotion clashes draw the eye back to the pitch.

by Dan Edwards

Boca Juniors supporters protest after club elections were suspended in the week.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Macri-Riquelme court stand-off can only harm Boca

02-12-2023 14:38 Clash of the titans delayed as Boca’s elections suspended by judge; Club’s VP cries foul and accuses ex-president of doing “great harm” to club’s supporters.

by Dan Edwards

EXCLUSIVE

‘Carlitos has the courage’ – Agüero impressed by Tevez’s start at Independiente

02-12-2023 10:16 Ex-Rojo favourite Sergio Agüero says his former Argentina international teammate Carlos Tevez has “handled the pressure well” in his debut season in Avellaneda.

by Dan Edwards

Fans of Argentina are attacked by Brazilian police before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualification football match between Brazil and Argentina at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 21, 2023.

CHAOS IN THE MARACANÃ

‘Always the same’ – Bittersweet win in Maracanã marred by ugly scenes

22-11-2023 12:10 National team coach Lionel Scaloni’s comments cast doubt over his future and delivered another twist in the tale to a stunning and shocking night in Rio de Janeiro.

by Dan Edwards

Juan Román Riquelme versus Mauricio Macri.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Boca gears up for the election to end all elections

17-11-2023 00:30 Vice-President Juan Román Riquelme will lock horns with former Xeneize chief and Argentine head of state Mauricio Macri in one of the biggest, potentially nastiest football election ever witnessed.

by Dan Edwards

Boca Juniors' defender Nicolas Valentini (L) and Boca Juniors' midfielder Vicente Taborda react after losing the Copa Libertadores final football match between Brazil's Fluminense and Argentina's Boca Juniors at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 4, 2023.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Boca must stop treading water after death of Libertadores dream

09-11-2023 17:19 A painful defeat in Rio de Janeiro spelled the end for Jorge Almirón and has left behind a lingering question: where do Boca go from here?

by Dan Edwards

Boca Juniors' head coach Jorge Almirón talks to the media upon arriving at Galeao Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 1, 2023.

FOOTBALL

Boca head to Brazil seeking Copa Libertadores glory

01-11-2023 23:36 Argentina’s plan for world domination returns to the Estádio do Maracanã, where Boca Juniors are preparing for a Copa Libertadores final showdown against Fluminense.

by Dan Edwards