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Lionel Messi makes history in Argentina clash with Miguel Almiron and Paraguay

3 years ago
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It was Lionel Messi v Miguel Almiron in Brazil last night (1am kick-off on Tuesday in UK time), as Argentina took on Paraguay.

A Copa America group match, it was also a night when Lionel Messi made history.

The genius equalling  Javier Mascherano as the most capped Argentina player of all time, both now on 147 caps each and Lionel Messi obviously set to overtake him with another group game to come and then at least a quarter-final as well.

Not only is Messi brilliant, his workrate, attitude and willingness to play game after game is unbelievable, especially as he must be surely the most fouled player in history.

Lionel Messi will turn 34 on Thursday but still played the full 90 minutes as Argentina overcame Paraguay, thanks to a Gomez goal after 10 minutes.

It was actually a match where Miguel Almiron and Paraguay were the more dominant but couldn’t find a goal.

They have become very difficult to beat and went into this game with only one defeat in their last 10 matches, that against Brazil.

Miguel Almiron played well and also put in the full 90 minutes but couldn’t inspire his team to an equaliser.

The stats showing Paraguay with more shots (10 v 8), possession (57% v 43%), passes (513 v 403) and corners (9 v 2).

The likelihood is that Paraguay may well have already qualified, with four of the five teams going into the quarter-finals. However, a win over Chile on Thursday would guarantee it.

How the two qualifying tables now look on Tuesday 22 June 2021:

Listed below is a summer timetable, showing important dates and moments to note, including the now four friendlies and confirmation of Premier League dates and times for August.

NEWCASTLE UNITED SUMMER TIMETABLE

Wednesday 9 June

Summer transfer window opens.

Wednesday 9 June

Paraguay 0 Brazil 2 – Miguel Almiron playing the full game.

Friday 11 June

Euro 2020 finals kick-off with Turkey 0 Italy 3.

Saturday 12 June

Switzerland 1 Wales 1 – Fabian Schar playing his first full 90 competitive minutes in over four months.

Sunday 13 June

England  1 Croatia 0

Monday 14  June 

Scotland 0 Czech Republic 2

A decent display from Scotland but undone by one very good goal and another exceptional one, Ryan Fraser coming on with 23 minutes to go.

Slovakia 2 Poland 1

Martin Dubravka celebrating his first ever game in a major finals and it was a winning one.

Sweden 0 Spain 0

Emil Krafth played the final 15 minutes as an all hands to the pump rearguard action saw Sweden pick up an unlikely point.

Paraguay 3 Bolivia 1

Miguel Almiron and his teammates absolutely dominated with 34 shots to 4 from Bolivia and 79% possession, recovering from going behind to a 10th minute VAR penalty, three second-half goals gave them a deserved victory.

Wednesday 16 June

Premier League fixtures released at 9am. Newcastle facing West Ham at home in their first match of the new PL season.

Switzerland 0 v Italy 3

An uncomfortable night for Fabian Schar, Italy looking good and going 2-0 up thanks to a goal from Locatelli in both halves before the Newcastle defender was subbed. Italy adding a third goal late on.

Friday 18 June

Slovakia 0 Sweden 1

Martin Dubravka pulling off one of the saves of the tournament but then gave away the decisive spot-kick, Sweden’s Forsberg scoring despite the Newcastle keeper going the right way.

Scotland 0 England 0

Ryan Fraser an unused substitute as Scotland produce the best chances in a poor dull match.

Sunday 20 June

Switzerland 3 Turkey 1

Fabian Schar dropped to the bench after Switzerland lost 3-0 to Italy on Wednesday and was an unused sub today.

A win for the Swiss and defeat for Wales (1-0 against Italy) but it needed a five goal turn around as well. the Swiss left needing two more goals to have finished second in the group and automatic qualification. So instead Wales join Italy in the last 16 and Fabian Schar and Switzerland must now wait and see if they are one of the four of six clubs to finish third in their group but still go into the knockout stages.

Monday 21 June

Fabian Schar celebrates as defeats for Finland and Ukraine mean that they finish third in groups B and C respectively, both on three points. Which means the Newcastle defender and Switzerland now guaranteed to be one of the four best third placed teams having ended their group A matches with four points.

Emil Krafth another Newcastle United player through to the last 16, as Sweden are top of their group with four points and one game to play against Poland on Wednesday.

Paraguay 0 Argentina 1

Miguel Almiron and Paraguay were the more dominant team but couldn’t find a goal, losing only a second game in their last eleven. This Copa America group clash saw Lionel Messi create a bit of history, becoming the joint most capped Argentina player, now on 147 caps which is the same as Javier Mascherano.

Tuesday 22 June

England v Czech Republic

Scotland v Croatia (Ryan Fraser)

Wednesday 23 June

Slovakia v Spain (Martin Dubravka)

Sweden v Poland (Emil Krafth)

Thursday 24 June

Paraguay v Chile (Miguel Almiron – Copa America)

Sunday 27 June

Paraguay v Uruguay (Miguel Almiron – Copa America)

Monday 5 July

Newcastle United squad return to start pre-season preparations.

Saturday 10 July

Copa America final in Argentina (possible Miguel Almiron participation).

Sunday 11 July

Final of Euro 2020 at Wembley (possible Schar, Fraser, Krafth, Dubravka participation).

Sunday 18 July

Newcastle United splitting their squad and playing two friendlies on this day, away at York City with 2pm kick-off, away at Harrogate Town with kick-off time to be confirmed (these games linked to training camp at nearby Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate campus just outside York, where NUFC also went last summer).

Tuesday 27 July

Newcastle United first team friendly away at League One Rotherham, kick-off at 7pm.

Friday 30 July

NUFC friendly away at League One Burton Albion, with a 7.45pm kick off.

Sunday 15 August

Newcastle kick off at 2pm at home to West Ham, live on Sky Sports.

Saturday 21 August

Confirmed as not moved for live TV, 3pm kick-off away against Aston Villa.

Saturday 28 August

Confirmed as not moved for live TV, 3pm kick-off home against Southampton.

Monday 30 August

First international break starts.

Tuesday 31 August

Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Monday 4 October

Second international break starts.

Monday 8 November

Third international break starts.

Monday 21 March 2022

Fourth international break starts.

Sunday 22 May 2022

Premier League 2021/22 season ends.

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