Chennaiyin FC signed goalkeeper DEBJIT MAJUMDER ahead of the 2021/22 season. THURSDAY, SILCHAR The 33-year-old experienced campaigner 10 JULY 8, 2021 SportChronicle inked a multi-year deal with the club. Messi thrilled as Argentina win via penalties, set Italy book spot in final after Copa America glory draws near up thrilling final against Brazil BRASILIA: Lionel Messi said that he is "thrilled than ever" COPA AMERICA trumping Spain in penalties at the prospect of winning an elusive international trophy BRASILIA: It will be Lionel Messi’s after helping Argentina beat Argentina against Neymar’s EURO 2020 Colombia on penalties to Brazil in the Copa America AGENCIES reach the Copa America final. final on Saturday at the historic Aston Villa goalkeeper Maracana Stadium in Rio de LONDON: Facing a wall of nerv- Emiliano Martinez saved three Janeiro. Argentina won its sem- ous blue-and-white clad Italy spot-kicks in the shootout as ifinal against Colombia 3-2 on fans behind the goal, Jorginho Argentina set up a clash with penalties after three saves by took his trademark hop and hosts Brazil in July 10 decider goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. skip before calmly stroking in at the Maracana stadium. Regular time ended 1-1 at the the winning penalty. "It was a tough game but we Mané Garrincha Stadium in So much for the pressure deserved it," Messi said in an Brasilia on Tuesday. of a shootout in the European interview with Argentine tele- “Dibu is a phenomenon. We Championship semifinals. vision after the match. "At times trusted him,” Messi said after A dash of Italian panache it became difficult because of the match, in a reference to Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez blocks a penalty shot by Colombia's completed a 4-2 penalty-shoot- the way they defended. But we Martinez’ nickname. “It was Yerry Mina during the penalty shootout in the semifinal match in Brasilia. out win over Spain at Wembley have [Emiliano Martinez] who an objective to play all the we are going to seek that Copa.” The last big opportunity in Stadium on Tuesday, setting is a phenomenon. We knew he matches and now we will try It took Argentina only seven regular time came with Messi up a title match against either was going to make those saves. to win this final.” Argentina minutes to open the scoring. hitting Ospina’s right post in England or Denmark back at We know what he is capable of hasn’t captured a major title Rodrigo de Paul found Messi in 81st minute from short range. the same stadium on Sunday. and we trusted him." since 1993 when it won Copa the penalty box with a through Martinez saved the shots The match finished 1-1 after Messi set up Lautaro America. On that occasion, pass. The star earned his fifth taken by Sanchez, Yerry Mina extra time and provided Italy Martinez for Argentina's only the team eliminated Colombia assist in the tournament with and Edwin Cardona in the with its toughest test of the tour- Italian players exult after clinching victory against Spain during the Euro semifinal at Wembley in London on Tuesday. goal in the allotted 90 minutes on penalties 6-5 in the semifinal a pass to Lautaro Martinez, shootout. Messi converted his nament, with Spain controlling ther, leaping over the advertis- more progressive team under goal, Morata showed calmness before converting the first pen- after a goalless draw. who put the ball in the right opportunity from the spot and possession for long periods. ing hoardings to get even closer Mancini but were given a clinic to sidefoot in a left-footed shot alty of the shootout. The 34-year- Brazil beat Peru 1-0 on corner past Colombia goal- was one of the most joyous Federico Chiesa scored for Italy to the crazed supporters whose at times in ball possession and after exchanging passes with old has been in unstoppable Monday to advance to the keeper David Ospina. A more players in the celebrations. He with a curling shot in the 60th loud cheering had lifted the movement in midfield. Olmo at the edge of the area. form in Brazil, racking up four final. The Selecao has never aggressive Colombia, led by seeks his first major title with minute but substitute Alvaro team in their most difficult Experienced center backs Morata grabbed a camera goals and five assists in the tour- lost a Copa America final at Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Argentina against favorites Morata equalized for Spain in moments. “We’re delighted we Giorgio Chiellini and Bonucci behind the goal and thrust his nament so far. "Many times it's home and has won five out of hit the bar and the post in the Brazil. Rodrigo de Paul missed the 80th. could provide this wonderful looked uncertain at times, not face into it. But he had nowhere easier to play against European six matches so far. Neymar said first half before it leveled in the his shot, but Leandro Paredes Morata, dropped from the entertainment to the Italian knowing whether to drop back to hide after becoming the sec- teams than this type of game after the semifinal he wanted 61st minute with Luis Diaz, who and Lautaro Martinez netted starting lineup for the first people,” Mancini said. “One or follow deep-lying forward ond Spain player to miss in the because there are more spaces," to meet his Barcelona mentor received the ball on the left of their chances for Argentina time in a tournament during game to go.” Dani Olmo — who started shootout — after Olmo — fol- he said. "We tried our best and Messi at the decider. Argentina’s box shot almost in the shootout. Cuadrado and which he has received verbal Riding a national record ahead of Morata — into the lowing 30 minutes of extra time. luckily we were able to win." “Both of us are in the final, I with no angle to beat Martinez. Miguel Borja scored from the abuse and even death threats unbeaten run of 33 games, Italy center of midfield. “He really has a lot of Argentina's last major tour- know Neymar said it because Argentina reacted after 67 min- spot for Colombia.In tears, from his own fans, will go down will play in its fourth European Spain’s pressing also drew personality,” Spain coach nament triumph came at the we are friends and he wanted utes when Ángel di María came Martinez said after the match as Spain’s scapegoat once again final and look to win the title for some rash clearances from the Luis Enrique said of 1993 Copa America in Ecuador, me to be there too,” Messi said. into the match, replacing Nico he wanted to face the Brazilians after having a penalty saved by a second time, after 1968. back from Italy. That created Morata. “He wanted to take where Gabriel Batistuta led “It will surely be very close and González. The winger created in the final in the Maracana Gianluigi Donnarumma in the It’s quite the redemption the team’s best chance in the a penalty even though he’s them to a 2-1 win over Mexico difficult. We are aiming high, several opportunities includ- Stadium. “This is a matter of next-to-last kick of the shootout. story for a country which failed first half with Ferran Torres’ been through some tough in the final. "We are very we managed to get the first ing one in the 80th minute that luck, today it was mine. Brazil As he walked back to the to qualify for the 2018 World shot requiring a low save from times in this competition.” excited and happy," he said. objective of playing the final, ended with Davinson Sanchez is a great team, the favorite,” center circle with his head Cup. “This group is amazing,” Donnarumma. Italy started the shootout with "Irrespective of whether we win, playing all matches. Now we saving a finish by Lautaro Martinez said. “But we have a bowed, Jorginho made the Mancini said. “Everyone wants The Italians had even more Manuel Locatelli’s shot saved I've really enjoyed these last 45 are aiming higher than ever, Martinez on the goal line. great coach, we have the best opposite journey and didn’t to win, but this group of play- problems when Morata came by Unai Simon, but Andrea days with the team, despite not player in the world and we will make the same mistake. ers wanted to do something on as a substitute but, by then, Belotti, Bonucci and Federico being able to see our families. It's try to win it,” he said. The Chelsea midfielder has special.” They have had the Chiesa had put them ahead Bernardeschi all scored before been a big sacrifice for everyone “We have nothing to regret,” his own style when it comes to aura of champions since Day after latching onto a loose ball, Jorginho. to try to achieve our goal and Colombia coach Reinaldo taking penalties and he didn’t 1 of the tournament and they’ll cutting inside and curling a shot Spain, a three-time European now we are almost there." Rueda said. He had also reached abandon it when it mattered be sticking around until the last into the far corner. It was his champion, beat Switzerland in He also did not hide his the semifinal with Chile in 2019 most, sparking a throng of day, too. But it’s at the home of second goal at Wembley in this a penalty shootout just to get enthusiasm at facing his former and lost.