Messi fires Argentina into Copa final

Lionel Messi became Argentina's all-time record goalscorer as the two-time world champions outclassed the United States 4-0 to reach the Copa America Centenario final on Tuesday.

Messi curled in a magnificent 32nd-minute free-kick to take his total to 55 goals as the United States' campaign ended with an emphatic defeat in front of a 70 858 crowd at Houston's NRG Stadium.
The five-time world player of the year now has five goals in this Copa America as he aims to lead Argentina to their first major title in 23 years.

The Barcelona superstar also created Argentina's opening goal for Ezequiel Lavezzi and was involved in the build-up for their third, scored by Gonzalo Higuain in the 50th minute. Messi then laid on the pass for Higuain's second four minutes from time.

"We've been playing well from day one and we deserve to be in the final," said a delighted Messi, dedicating his goals tally to the work of his teammates.

"I'm happy to have the record, and I'm happy to play with the teammates that have made it possible. I owe it to them," said Messi, who is now one clear of Gabriel Batistuta's mark of 54 goals.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, meanwhile, said his team had showed Argentina "too much respect" after a display which saw them finish with zero shots on or off target.
"I think in general we had too much respect," Klinsmann said while hailing Argentina as the "No 1 team in the world."

"I told the guys there's nothing to be ashamed of. We have to learn and move forward," Klinsman said. "We have to keep our heads up and swallow it. But Argentina are a special team."
Argentina will now face either Chile or Colombia in Sunday's final at East Rutherford, New Jersey – their third major final in three years after reaching the finals of the 2015 Copa America and 2014 World Cup.
A disastrous start for the United States saw the hosts fall behind after only three minutes when they gifted possession to Messi on the edge of the area.
The Argentina captain instantly spotted that Lavezzi was unmarked and lofted a first time pass through to the China-based midfielder to head home.
- Messi magic -

Argentina might have doubled their lead five minutes later, when Ever Banega backheeled to pick out Marcos Rojo, who crossed for Messi, only for the Albiceleste skipper to shoot over.
Messi was again on the prowl in the 14th minute, seizing upon another American mistake to burst clear from near halfway before firing a shot which Brad Guzan managed to gather safely.
With Argentina monopolising possession, it was only a matter of time before the South Americans scored again.

The second goal almost came on 22 minutes when Messi released Higuain with a quick free-kick into the penalty area, only for Geoff Cameron to snuff out the danger with a desperate tackle.
But just after the half-hour mark the US defense buckled, Messi causing panic on another foray before being bundled over with a crude challenge by Chris Wondolowski, who was promptly booked.
From the ensuing free-kick, Messi stepped up to curl in his magnificent record-equalling effort and Argentina were 2-0 up.

Klinsmann introduced Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic at halftime for the ineffective Wondolowski but within five minutes it was 3-0.
Once again, the US coughed up possession in midfield and from the left flank Lavezzi picked out Higuain in the penalty area.

Higuain's first shot was saved by Guzan, but the Napoli striker was on hand to tap in the simplest of rebounds.
With hope ebbing away, the remaining 40 minutes became an exercise in damage limitation for the Americans.

The hosts earned a brief respite from the onslaught when play was held up after Lavezzi injured himself falling over a hoarding, but Argentina were quickly back in control.
The only surprise was that it took until 86 minutes for Argentina to grab their fourth, Messi pouncing on yet another US mistake to burst into the box before squaring for Higuain to finish with aplomb.

New Fifa No 2 Samoura starts work

Fifa's new general secretary Fatma Samoura has officially started work, becoming the first woman and non-European to hold the powerful post at the scandal-tainted organisation.
Samoura was named to the job in May, in a surprise move by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who has sought to repair the reputation of world football's governing body since over taking over from the disgraced Sepp Blatter.

A 54-year-old Senegalese national, Samoura worked at the United Nations for more than two decades, serving primarily in Africa.

In an interview conducted by Fifa, Samoura said her top priority was filling senior positions including the chief financial officer and chief compliance officer.
Her two predecessors as general secretary, Jerome Valcke and Markus Kattner, were both sacked over corruption allegations.

Valcke is the target of a criminal investigation in Switzerland, along with Blatter.
Following the string of high-profile corruption scandals over the last year, which have seen many of the most powerful names in football management brought down, Samoura said boosting morale at Fifa was also crucial.

"My second priority is to try as much possible to focus on the staff, who have been going through extreme stress over the last 12 months because of the corruption scandals," she said in the Fifa interview after her official first day at her post on Monday.
She also stressed the implementation of major reform package at Fifa, which was designed to clean up the graft that plagued the Blatter era.

The general secretary was given added authority under those reforms to function more like a CEO.
Speaking broadly about her job, Samoura said: "I want to inject diversity, more equity, a better governance structure, a stronger monitoring and evaluation system and an obligation to inform and report on the good deeds of Fifa."

EU referendum: Queen asks guests to give her three reasons why Britain should remain in Europe

The Queen has been canvassing opinion on the EU debate by asking dinner companions: "Give me three good reasons why Britain should be part of Europe."

Her Majesty's biographer, Robert Lacey, reported the Queen's comments and suggested they may mean the Queen favours withdrawal from the European Union.

Buckingham Palace would neither confirm nor deny that the Queen had been debating the merits of Brexit in private, but royal sources pointed out that the words attributed to the Queen were "a question not a statement".

However the leading nature of the alleged question adds weight to previous claims that the Queen would like Britain to pull out of the EU.

Last month the press regulator found that the Sun newspaper had been guilty of "significantly misleading" its readers when it printed the headline "Queen backs Brexit" above a story about the Queen complaining about Brussels to Nick Clegg.

Barca expect Neymar to stay

Barcelona are not contemplating selling their Brazil forward Neymar, the Spanish champions' financial vice-president Susana Monje said on Wednesday.

Neymar, who has been in talks over a contract extension with his current deal expiring in June 2018, has been linked in Spanish media with a move to Paris Saint Germain.

"Neymar's renewal is a sporting issue," Monje told a news conference in which she spoke about the club's importance to the city of Barcelona.

"We have not studied the impact of hypothetically losing Neymar. We don't contemplate it."
El Mundo Deportivo reported on Wednesday that French champions PSG have offered to double Neymar's salary to 30 million euros ($33.86 million) net per season.

Neymar has just completed his third year at Barca since joining from Santos. He scored 31 goals in 48 appearances last season to help the club win La Liga and the King's Cup.

The 24-year-old Brazil captain did not play at the Copa America in order to rest at Barcelona's request.

However, Neymar will compete at the Rio Olympics, which starts in August, as one of the three over-age players allowed in Brazil's under-23 squad.

Ronaldo out to avoid exit

Portugal will be relying on a drastic turnaround for superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo to avoid an embarrassing early Euro 2016 exit against surprise package Hungary on Wednesday.
Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden, meanwhile, are still in contention to join Group E winners Italy in the last 16.

Ronaldo missed a penalty and other chances as Portugal were held 0-0 by Austria to leave Fernando Santos's men third in Group F with just two points from two games.
However, victory will guarantee Portugal top spot in the group and avoid a much tougher side of the draw containing hosts France, world champions Germany and England.

"Ronaldo is a player who scores a lot of goals and I’m sure he will score in the next game against Hungary," said Santos.
The former Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon boss insists he does not care how Portugal win as long as they pick up three points.
"We’re sad but we have things in our own hands.
"It doesn’t matter if we play better or ugly football."
Ronaldo has another chance to become the first player to score in four different European championships.

Forty-year-old goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly stands in his way, though, for a Hungary side assured of their place in the knockout stages after a 30-year wait to qualify for a major tournament.
Hungary shocked neighbours Austria 2-0 in their opening game before a late own goal handed them a 1-1 draw with Iceland.

"Who would have thought that we'd be top of the group with four points and that Portugal would need to win to qualify?" said Hungary boss Bernd Storck.
"We have nothing to lose, Portugal have to win."

All is to play for in the other game in Group F with a win also good enough to take either Austria or Iceland, on their debut in a major finals, through to the knockout stage.
PATIENT IRELAND
With four points enough to ensure at least one of four best third-placed finishes, Ireland need to beat Italy to seal their last 16 place in Lille.
Martin O'Neill's men were swept aside 3-0 by Belgium after a promising opening performance in a 1-1 draw with Sweden.

Former Celtic manager O'Neill does not want his side to go chasing the game too early and be caught on the counter-attack as they were ruthlessly for Belgium's first and third goals.
"It's a fairly lengthy evening. We know at the end of it we have to be in front and it's a case of being very, very strong to begin with," O'Neill said Tuesday.

With a maximum six points from two games, Italy are guaranteed to progress as group winners and coach Antonio Conte is expected to make up to nine changes to his starting line-up to keep legs fresh and protect those players who are one yellow card away from a ban.

Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic can also become the first man to score in four Euros if Ronaldo fails to find the net in what could be his last international appearance.

Ibrahimovic announced on Tuesday that he will retire from international duty at the end of the Euros. Sweden must beat Belgium in Nice to make the last 16.

"The last game with Sweden in the Euro will be my last game with Sweden. So I hope it won't be tomorrow," said the 34-year-old.