Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game with a fine lob in the first half after several chances. The PSG star received a long pass from the impressive Rodrigo De Paul, which he converted.

The win also ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a major trophy, and Brazil’s unbeaten home record that stretched back more than 2,500 days. The victory was also Argentina’s 15th Copa America triumph and means they draw level with Uruguay as the all-time leading winners.

For Brazil, it was the first time in 6 editions that they failed to lift the trophy.

According to The Sun, Sabella was ‘rushed to a specialist hospital’ at the end of last month after suffering ‘fluid retention in his legs’. He also picked up a virus and was placed in intensive care in Buenos Aires with reports in Argentina claiming he died of acute heart disease.

Sabella led his country to the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil where Argentina was beaten by Germany in extra time.

Sabella started his playing career in his native Argentina with River plate. He moved to England in 1978, playing first for Sheffield United for two seasons before joining Leeds in 1980. He then returned to Argentina and signed for Estudiantes. Sabella also had spells at Gremio, Ferro Carril Oeste and Irapuato. Sabella returned to manage Estudiantes in 2009, winning South America’s Copa Libertadores title.

He led Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, de group stage victories over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria. Argentina then overcame Switzerland in the last-16, Belgium in the quarter-finals and then Holland to reach the final in Rio de Janeiro.

Tapia said this was because the statute of limitations (barring him from playing) has run out on the ban he was given during last year’s Copa America

Messi was banned for one game after being sent off in the Copa America third-place playoff against Chile and for levelling accusations of “corruption” at South American football chiefs.

Messi had been expected to serve the ban by missing Argentina’s qualifier against Ecuador, which is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires on October 8.

However, Tapia said he had consulted with South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) President Alejandro Dominguez.

“…. he confirmed the statute of limitations had expired and that he (Messi) is able to play,” Tapia was quoted as saying by AFA on twitter.

The FC Barcelona forward was shown the red card after clashing with Gary Medel.

Afterwards, he alleged the tournament had been fixed in favour of hosts Brazil, who beat Argentina in a controversial semi-final on their way to claiming the title.

Argentina, who last won the World Cup in 1986, kick off their qualifying campaign with a double-header at home to Ecuador and away to Bolivia.

Source: The Punch

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Monday called the case “painful” and “sad.”

Officials said late Sunday that Ambassador Óscar Ricardo Valero, 77, had resigned for health reasons. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard wrote on Twitter that Valero “is undergoing neurological treatment.”

He also described Valero, a career diplomat with a long pedigree in Mexico’s left, as “a great person.”

Mexican news media reported that Valero allegedly also tried to steal a T-shirt from an airport shop after he was called back to Mexico in early December.

At the request of relatives, Ebrard’s office published a doctor’s letter saying Valero had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2012 that resulted in “behavioral changes.”

Messi had a forgettable ending to the tournament as he was showed a straight red card in the third place playoff against Chile following a clash with Gary Medel.

Following the match, Messi did not come out to collect his bronze medal. Messi predicted that Brazil would win the tournament because everything was set up for them .

The Barcelona forward said “There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil . I hope the VAR and referees don’t play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me. I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn’t have to be part of this disrepect we suffered during the Copa America .We could have gone further but we weren’t allowed into the final. Corruption , referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football. I always tell the truth and I’m honest , that is what keeps me calm, if what I say has repercussions that is not my business . I think that what happened is because of what I said against Brazil. What I said last time perhaps came back to haunt me. With a yellow card that was the end of it .”

Brazil won the Copa America for the first time since 20007 after they defeated Peru 3-1 at the Maracana on Sunday.

Tite said “He has to show some respect, he must understand and accept when he’s defeated. We’ve been affected in many matches, even in the World Cup, so be very careful. He put a lot of pressure on because of how great a player he is. Everyone has their own problems and you have to be respectful .”

Messi was sent off towards the end of the first half of Saturday’s third-place play-off against Peru following a confrontation with midfielder Gary Medel, who was also shown a red card.

The Argentina captain suggested he had been singled out following his comments over the crazy officiating in the wake of their 2-0 semi-final defeat by hosts Brazil in Belo Horizonte.

He said “We don’t need to be part of the corruption that we’ve suffered at this tournament, Medel is always right at the limit. With a yellow that would have been the end of it for both of us, but well, maybe what I said recently had an impact. What’s important is that the team finished well in the tournament. Maybe this was ordered and I ended up suffering because of what I said.”

In a six-page letter to the South American confederation, Argentina complained that VAR was not used to check two decisions that could have lead to penalties for fouls on Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi.

Aguero appeared to be fouled by Dani Alves during the game, and Argentina were unhappy after no penalty was awarded when Otamendi went down in the box following a challenge from Arthur.

Brazil won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino, and following the game Argentina forward Lionel Messi blamed the defeat on the performance of Zambranol.