After 9,000km of brutal racing across Peru, Bolivia and Argentina the competitors finally crossed the finish line of the 2018 Dakar Rally in C&oacute;rdoba.

Carlos Sainz, Matthias Walkner, Ignacio Casale and Eduard Nikolaev all carried big leads heading into the final 120km special stage around the home of rallying in Argentina and were not to be denied.

For Walkner, it was a maiden victory in the toughest rally raid on the planet, a second for Sainz and Casale while Nikolaev now has a hat-trick of truck titles.

Car

The experience was the name of the game for Carlos Sainz claiming a second Dakar victory and his first since 2010. The Spaniard had it all to lose going into the final few stages but kept his cool and controlled the race perfectly.

Sainz, 55, said: &ldquo;I am extremely happy for me and everyone behind the victory. It was hard when you have such a big lead as it is easy to start making mistakes. This was the hardest Dakar I have ever done, including the ones in Africa.&rdquo;

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What a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dakar2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dakar2018</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/CSainz_oficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSainz_oficial</a> ????????, who celebrates is 2nd overall victory. 
// Qu&eacute; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DakarRally?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DakarRally</a> para C. Sainz ????????, quien celebra si segunda victoria en esta carrera ???? <a href="https://t.co/oKBoRFEuei">pic.twitter.com/oKBoRFEuei</a>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954903726099259392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Nasser Al-Attiyah enjoyed four stage wins in 2018 to finish second overall, while final stage winner Giniel de Villiers edged Mr Dakar St&eacute;phane Peterhansel to the final podium spot.

Peterhansel said: &ldquo;We did two big mistakes and lost a lot of time. This is the race though. At the end, I still don&rsquo;t know if I will continue, I need time to think about it.&rdquo;

Bike

Matthias Walkner created a little bit of history in Argentina by becoming the first Austrian to ever win the bike category of the Dakar Rally.

The 31-year-old has been a consistent presence towards the front of the pack throughout the race and in a stage won by Kevin Benavides, Walkner brought his KTM home in eighth to start the party.

Walkner said: &ldquo;When you are leading with such a big gap in the biggest event in our sport, it was crazy. Now it is time to celebrate. I was never the guy who was winning a lot or losing a lot, just riding always near the front.&rdquo;

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His team runs to celebrate the 1st place of <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthiasWalkner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MatthiasWalkner</a> on ???? 
// Su equipo corre para celebrar el 1er lugar de M. Walkner en ???? ???????????? <a href="https://t.co/WxKOqQ2LF9">pic.twitter.com/WxKOqQ2LF9</a>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954887403604496384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Third-placed finisher Toby Price said: &ldquo;It is crazy to be here at the finish line on the podium. I couldn&rsquo;t expect any more. We will come back bigger and better for the next one.&rdquo;

Laia Sanz, who finished 12th, said: &ldquo;It was really tough, but to finish in this position is really good. I can be happy. I have started eight Dakar&rsquo;s and finished all eight which is fantastic.&rdquo;

Quad

Chilean Ignacio Casale has dominated this race from start to finish.

After winning the opening three stages in Peru he never looked back and comfortably lifted a second title to add to his 2014 triumph with a huge margin of one hour and 38 minutes to spare.

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&quot;This event changed my life &quot; said the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/quads?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#quads</a> winner <a href="https://twitter.com/IgnacioCasale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IgnacioCasale</a> ???????? about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DakarRally?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DakarRally</a> 
// &quot;Este evento me cambi&oacute; la vida&quot; dice el ganador de quads Casale ???????? <a href="https://t.co/unarQ4Rd3k">pic.twitter.com/unarQ4Rd3k</a>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954884105451208712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Truck

The records will show Eduard Nikolaev won this race by nearly four hours, however, it was far from that simple.

The Russian was involved in a neck and neck fight with Federico Villagra up until the penultimate stage when the Argentine suffered a mechanical and had to abandon.

Nikolaev acknowledged after: &ldquo;Villagra is a very fast competitor. Congratulations to all the teams.&rdquo;

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???? GC - TRUCKS???????? 
1. Eduard Nikolaev 
2. Siarhei Viazovich +3h57&#39;17&quot; 
3. Airat Maardev +5h22&#39;34&quot; 
More / m&aacute;s info &gt; <a href="https://t.co/R0ezQ07YE0">https://t.co/R0ezQ07YE0</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dakar2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dakar2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/82K3SeAJ4U">pic.twitter.com/82K3SeAJ4U</a>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954753075302031362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Sainz, Walkner, Casale and Nikolaev win the 40th edition of the Dakar Rally in style

After 9,000km of brutal racing across Peru, Bolivia and Argentina the competitors finally crossed the finish line of the 2018 Dakar Rally in Córdoba. Carlos Sainz, Matthias Walkner, Ignacio Casale and Eduard Nikolaev all carried big leads heading into the final 120km special stage around the home of rallying in Argentina and were not to be denied. For Walkner, it was a maiden victory in the toughest rally raid on the planet, a second for Sainz and Casale while Nikolaev now has a hat-trick of truck titles. Car The experience was the name of the game for Carlos Sainz claiming a second Dakar victory and his first since 2010. The Spaniard had it all to lose going into the final few stages but kept his cool and controlled the race perfectly. Sainz, 55, said: “I am extremely happy for me and everyone behind the victory. It was hard when you have such a big lead as it is easy to start making mistakes. This was the hardest Dakar I have ever done, including the ones in Africa.” What a #Dakar2018 for @CSainz_oficial ????????, who celebrates is 2nd overall victory. // Qué #DakarRally para C. Sainz ????????, quien celebra si segunda victoria en esta carrera ???? pic.twitter.com/oKBoRFEuei — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 21, 2018 × Nasser Al-Attiyah enjoyed four stage wins in 2018 to finish second overall, while final stage winner Giniel de Villiers edged Mr Dakar Stéphane Peterhansel to the final podium spot. Peterhansel said: “We did two big mistakes and lost a lot of time. This is the race though. At the end, I still don’t know if I will continue, I need time to think about it.” Bike Matthias Walkner created a little bit of history in Argentina by becoming the first Austrian to ever win the bike category of the Dakar Rally. The 31-year-old has been a consistent presence towards the front of the pack throughout the race and in a stage won by Kevin Benavides, Walkner brought his KTM home in eighth to start the party. Walkner said: “When you are leading with such a big gap in the biggest event in our sport, it was crazy. Now it is time to celebrate. I was never the guy who was winning a lot or losing a lot, just riding always near the front.” His team runs to celebrate the 1st place of @MatthiasWalkner on ???? // Su equipo corre para celebrar el 1er lugar de M. Walkner en ???? ???????????? pic.twitter.com/WxKOqQ2LF9 — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 21, 2018 × Third-placed finisher Toby Price said: “It is crazy to be here at the finish line on the podium. I couldn’t expect any more. We will come back bigger and better for the next one.” Laia Sanz, who finished 12th, said: “It was really tough, but to finish in this position is really good. I can be happy. I have started eight Dakar’s and finished all eight which is fantastic.” Quad Chilean Ignacio Casale has dominated this race from start to finish. After winning the opening three stages in Peru he never looked back and comfortably lifted a second title to add to his 2014 triumph with a huge margin of one hour and 38 minutes to spare. "This event changed my life " said the #quads winner @IgnacioCasale ???????? about #DakarRally // "Este evento me cambió la vida" dice el ganador de quads Casale ???????? pic.twitter.com/unarQ4Rd3k — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 21, 2018 × Truck The records will show Eduard Nikolaev won this race by nearly four hours, however, it was far from that simple. The Russian was involved in a neck and neck fight with Federico Villagra up until the penultimate stage when the Argentine suffered a mechanical and had to abandon. Nikolaev acknowledged after: “Villagra is a very fast competitor. Congratulations to all the teams.” ???? GC - TRUCKS???????? 1. Eduard Nikolaev 2. Siarhei Viazovich +3h57'17" 3. Airat Maardev +5h22'34" More / más info > https://t.co/R0ezQ07YE0 #Dakar2018 pic.twitter.com/82K3SeAJ4U — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 20, 2018 ×

The 40th edition of Dakar rally ends in Argentina

In a proud moment for the state of Jammu and Kashmir and entire India, two girls Rabia Riyaz and Aabroo Bashir, hailing from Bandipora district have qualified for the World Kickboxing Championships.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in Argentina later this year.

Both the girls were part of the team that clinched gold medals at the National Kickboxing Championships, held at Patliputra Sports Complex in Bihar&#39;s Patna from December 20 to 31st, last year.

Organized by Kickboxing Federation of India, the J&amp;K team won a total of 14 medals, including three gold, five silver and six bronze in the competition.

Apart from the duo, Hardik Chopra also won a gold medal and qualified for International event to be held in Argentina as well.

The World Kickboxing Championships will take place in November 2018.

Both the girls were part of the team that clinched gold medals at the National Kickboxing Championships

In a proud moment for the state of Jammu and Kashmir and entire India, two girls Rabia Riyaz and Aabroo Bashir, hailing from Bandipora district have qualified for the World Kickboxing Championships. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Argentina later this year. Both the girls were part of the team that clinched gold medals at the National Kickboxing Championships, held at Patliputra Sports Complex in Bihar's Patna from December 20 to 31st, last year. Organized by Kickboxing Federation of India, the J&K team won a total of 14 medals, including three gold, five silver and six bronze in the competition. Apart from the duo, Hardik Chopra also won a gold medal and qualified for International event to be held in Argentina as well. The World Kickboxing Championships will take place in November 2018.

Watch: Kashmiri girls to represent India at World Kickboxing Championships

Sergio Aguero says he would like to see out his present contract with runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City which runs until 2020.

However, he looks set for a long run in the starting line-up with Brazil youngster Gabriel Jesus suffering a knee ligament injury in Sunday&#39;s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

&quot;I have until 2020, I think,&quot; said Aguero regarding his contract.

&quot;The truth is that I hope to see out my contract and I&#39;ll try to do my best from here until the end of the season, and after that we will see what happens with me,&quot; added Aguero, who is City&#39;s all-time leading scorer and netted his 185th goal for the club in Tuesday&#39;s 3-1 win over Watford.

The 29-year-old Argentinian striker had been rumoured to be unhappy at not always being a first-choice starter.

Aguero has been with City since 2011 and memorably scored the goal that clinched the title on the last day of the season in 2012 at the expense of city rivals Manchester United.

He insists he would like to stay at the club but accepted that it was not ultimately his decision.

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More speculation has emerged about Sergio Aguero&#39;s future at Manchester City. 
 
Seems hard to imagine them letting a player of his ability leave the etihad.<a href="https://t.co/iQiMzuNJgQ">pic.twitter.com/iQiMzuNJgQ</a>
&mdash; OLBG Betting Tips (@OLBG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OLBG/status/948519853027155968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;The truth is I&#39;m very happy here but, as always, as I said before, the club has the last word,&quot; said Aguero.

&quot;They&#39;re the only ones who decide because obviously, the club is the one who makes the decisions, they are the ones who say you have to go or have to stay, so I&#39;ll respect whatever they tell me.&quot;

City manager Pep Guardiola appears content for him to stay as long as he wants given what he said in December.

&quot;He is a legend,&quot; said Guardiola.

&quot;He will decide absolutely everything about his life and his future. I&#39;m delighted to have him here.&quot;

There were speculations that Argentine star is unhappy under Guardiola after being dropped for the Manchester derby last month.

He scored his 16th goal of the season in Tuesday&rsquo;s 3-1 win against Watford.

Still, speculation over his future refuses to go away as Manchester City intent on signing Alexis Sanchez.

&nbsp;

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero intends to see out contract at City but speculation over his future continues

Sergio Aguero says he would like to see out his present contract with runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City which runs until 2020. However, he looks set for a long run in the starting line-up with Brazil youngster Gabriel Jesus suffering a knee ligament injury in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. "I have until 2020, I think," said Aguero regarding his contract. "The truth is that I hope to see out my contract and I'll try to do my best from here until the end of the season, and after that we will see what happens with me," added Aguero, who is City's all-time leading scorer and netted his 185th goal for the club in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Watford. The 29-year-old Argentinian striker had been rumoured to be unhappy at not always being a first-choice starter. Aguero has been with City since 2011 and memorably scored the goal that clinched the title on the last day of the season in 2012 at the expense of city rivals Manchester United. He insists he would like to stay at the club but accepted that it was not ultimately his decision. More speculation has emerged about Sergio Aguero's future at Manchester City. Seems hard to imagine them letting a player of his ability leave the etihad.pic.twitter.com/iQiMzuNJgQ — OLBG Betting Tips (@OLBG) January 3, 2018 × "The truth is I'm very happy here but, as always, as I said before, the club has the last word," said Aguero. "They're the only ones who decide because obviously, the club is the one who makes the decisions, they are the ones who say you have to go or have to stay, so I'll respect whatever they tell me." City manager Pep Guardiola appears content for him to stay as long as he wants given what he said in December. "He is a legend," said Guardiola. "He will decide absolutely everything about his life and his future. I'm delighted to have him here." There were speculations that Argentine star is unhappy under Guardiola after being dropped for the Manchester derby last month. He scored his 16th goal of the season in Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Watford. Still, speculation over his future refuses to go away as Manchester City intent on signing Alexis Sanchez.

Football: Sergio Aguero denies transfer rumours

Argentina dismissed its naval chief Saturday, a month after a submarine went missing with 44 crew members on board, a military official said.

The Defense Ministry requested Admiral Marcelo Srur&#39;s removal during an ongoing investigation into the sub&#39;s disappearance, the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

At least two other senior Navy officers have been relieved so far over the ARA San Juan&#39;s disappearance.

Military sources quoted by local media say President Mauricio Macri is willing to retire most of the naval leadership.

The government is also creating an internal investigative commission that will be headed by retired captain Jorge Bergallo, father of the ARA San Juan&#39;s second commander, Jorge Ignacio Bergallo, government sources told state agency Telam.

An international search operation has so far failed to locate the vessel, and the 43 men and one woman who were travelling on board are believed to have died in the tragedy.&nbsp;

But families of the missing have pressed the government to continue the search, which has not yet been officially closed.

A British oceanographic vessel and an Argentine one were exploring the ARA San Juan search area with sonar equipment Saturday, the navy said, while warning of &quot;very adverse weather conditions&quot; expected this weekend.

The ARA San Juan is one of the South American country&#39;s three submarines, but only one of them, the ARA Salta, is operational. The ARA Santa Cruz was removed from service for having serious failures that require a complete overhaul.

At least two other senior Navy officers have been relieved so far over the ARA San Juan's disappearance

Argentina dismissed its naval chief Saturday, a month after a submarine went missing with 44 crew members on board, a military official said. The Defense Ministry requested Admiral Marcelo Srur's removal during an ongoing investigation into the sub's disappearance, the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. At least two other senior Navy officers have been relieved so far over the ARA San Juan's disappearance. Military sources quoted by local media say President Mauricio Macri is willing to retire most of the naval leadership. The government is also creating an internal investigative commission that will be headed by retired captain Jorge Bergallo, father of the ARA San Juan's second commander, Jorge Ignacio Bergallo, government sources told state agency Telam. An international search operation has so far failed to locate the vessel, and the 43 men and one woman who were travelling on board are believed to have died in the tragedy. But families of the missing have pressed the government to continue the search, which has not yet been officially closed. A British oceanographic vessel and an Argentine one were exploring the ARA San Juan search area with sonar equipment Saturday, the navy said, while warning of "very adverse weather conditions" expected this weekend. The ARA San Juan is one of the South American country's three submarines, but only one of them, the ARA Salta, is operational. The ARA Santa Cruz was removed from service for having serious failures that require a complete overhaul.

Argentina navy chief sacked over submarine tragedy

Football legend Diego Maradona was in Kolkata for a three-day visit that began on Sunday.

Scores of fans were gathered outside the airport to get a glimpse of their favourite star footballer when he reached Kolkata two days back.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/SGanguly99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SGanguly99</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DiegoAMaradona?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DiegoAMaradona</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/vikrantgupta73?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vikrantgupta73</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aajtak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aajtak</a> Few precious moment of tday. The Prince of football with the Prince of cricket.???? <a href="https://t.co/dVMIT3oL85">pic.twitter.com/dVMIT3oL85</a>
&mdash; SAMRAT MUKHERJEE (@prince3091) <a href="https://twitter.com/prince3091/status/940554056455544833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Maradona unveiled a 12-foot statue of himself in Kolkata and was also expected to play a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/diego-maradona-and-sourav-ganguly-take-part-in-a-charity-football-match-in-west-bengals-kolkata-7316" target="_blank">charity football match</a> with former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly.&nbsp;

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Diego Maradona unveils are rather unflattering bronze statue of himself holding a massive World Cup trophy &amp; a massive head of hair, in Kolkata, India <a href="https://twitter.com/PAImages?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PAImages</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maradona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maradona</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/soccer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#soccer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/funny?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#funny</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y4KopbhSW7">pic.twitter.com/Y4KopbhSW7</a>
&mdash; Richard Holt (@Richard_Holt69) <a href="https://twitter.com/Richard_Holt69/status/940561540767518720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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While many marvelled at the sight of the humungous statue put up in honour of the Argentine legend, social media -- like always -- had a different chord to strum.

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Diego Maradona is in India &amp; a statue of him was unveiled at a charity event in Kolkata. 
Good to see the chap that did the Ronaldo one is still in business <a href="https://t.co/p5IDzgfExw">pic.twitter.com/p5IDzgfExw</a>
&mdash; Peter Coates (@golazoargentino) <a href="https://twitter.com/golazoargentino/status/940350184453746688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Twitter cracked up saying that the statue looked nothing like Maradona.&nbsp;

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One of these is a statue of Diego Maradona. <a href="https://t.co/4KqgUGPjD8">pic.twitter.com/4KqgUGPjD8</a>
&mdash; Steve Darrah ?????? (@Darrah88) <a href="https://twitter.com/Darrah88/status/940349826478280705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The sculptor who did the new Diego Maradona statue mixed up his Scottish icons <a href="https://t.co/hc5lhkJqDD">pic.twitter.com/hc5lhkJqDD</a>
&mdash; McBookie (@McBookie) <a href="https://twitter.com/McBookie/status/940321606450270208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Genuinely thought this was a statue of Roy Hodgson... 
 
...it&#39;s Diego Maradona... <a href="https://t.co/V9NAVJMdop">pic.twitter.com/V9NAVJMdop</a>
&mdash; The Sack Race (@thesackrace) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesackrace/status/940507452428247040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Earlier this year, Cristiano Ronaldo&#39;s rather bizarre statue unveiled in Portugal raked in similar reactions.&nbsp;

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How about statues of the same guys, but done by the guy who did that stroke-faced Cristiano Ronaldo statue in Portugal. <a href="https://t.co/gqI5bzOuOC">pic.twitter.com/gqI5bzOuOC</a>
&mdash; Dave O&#39;Connell (@bethenikki) <a href="https://twitter.com/bethenikki/status/899621827496071169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Maradona&#39;s trip was originally scheduled to take place in October but was postponed to December.

This is the second visit by the footballer in the city. He last visited Kolkata in December 2008.&nbsp;

Reportedly, the Argentine legend on Tuesday skipped the much-hyped &#39;Diego versus Dada&#39; exhibition match, leaving cricket icon Sourav Ganguly disappointed.

&quot;It would have been great to have played with him but he could not play,&quot; Ganguly said after featuring in the seven-a-side exhibition match.

(With inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

The Twitterati thought it didn't look like him

Football legend Diego Maradona was in Kolkata for a three-day visit that began on Sunday. Scores of fans were gathered outside the airport to get a glimpse of their favourite star footballer when he reached Kolkata two days back. @SGanguly99 @DiegoAMaradona @vikrantgupta73 @aajtak Few precious moment of tday. The Prince of football with the Prince of cricket.???? pic.twitter.com/dVMIT3oL85 — SAMRAT MUKHERJEE (@prince3091) December 12, 2017 × Maradona unveiled a 12-foot statue of himself in Kolkata and was also expected to play a charity football match with former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. Diego Maradona unveils are rather unflattering bronze statue of himself holding a massive World Cup trophy & a massive head of hair, in Kolkata, India @PAImages #Maradona #soccer #funny pic.twitter.com/Y4KopbhSW7 — Richard Holt (@Richard_Holt69) December 12, 2017 × While many marvelled at the sight of the humungous statue put up in honour of the Argentine legend, social media -- like always -- had a different chord to strum. Diego Maradona is in India & a statue of him was unveiled at a charity event in Kolkata. Good to see the chap that did the Ronaldo one is still in business pic.twitter.com/p5IDzgfExw — Peter Coates (@golazoargentino) December 11, 2017 × Twitter cracked up saying that the statue looked nothing like Maradona. One of these is a statue of Diego Maradona. pic.twitter.com/4KqgUGPjD8 — Steve Darrah ?????? (@Darrah88) December 11, 2017 × The sculptor who did the new Diego Maradona statue mixed up his Scottish icons pic.twitter.com/hc5lhkJqDD — McBookie (@McBookie) December 11, 2017 × Genuinely thought this was a statue of Roy Hodgson... ...it's Diego Maradona... pic.twitter.com/V9NAVJMdop — The Sack Race (@thesackrace) December 12, 2017 × Earlier this year, Cristiano Ronaldo's rather bizarre statue unveiled in Portugal raked in similar reactions. How about statues of the same guys, but done by the guy who did that stroke-faced Cristiano Ronaldo statue in Portugal. pic.twitter.com/gqI5bzOuOC — Dave O'Connell (@bethenikki) August 21, 2017 × Maradona's trip was originally scheduled to take place in October but was postponed to December. This is the second visit by the footballer in the city. He last visited Kolkata in December 2008. Reportedly, the Argentine legend on Tuesday skipped the much-hyped 'Diego versus Dada' exhibition match, leaving cricket icon Sourav Ganguly disappointed. "It would have been great to have played with him but he could not play," Ganguly said after featuring in the seven-a-side exhibition match. (With inputs from PTI)

Twitter cracks up over 'bizarre' Maradona statue in Kolkata

The World Trade Organisation`s ministerial meeting that opened on December 10 in the Argentine capital will seek consensus in reducing subsidies to fisheries and the agricultural sector, among other issues.

Nevertheless, little progress is expected to be made due to unwillingness by the United States to reach agreements, some experts have noted.

US Rep. Robert Lighthizer will have the task of defending President Donald Trump`s agenda based on the motto &quot;America First.&quot;

Experts believe the meeting, which will run until Wednesday, will be a success if a &quot;clear and forceful&quot; statement on the need to boost the development of the global trading system is achieved.

The US has denied it wants to weaken the WTO, although Lighthizer had strong criticism against the rulings of the entity. In September he called for reforms to what he called a &quot;deficient&quot; system of dispute resolution.

Officials gathered in Buenos Aires, believe that during the meeting a political commitment could be signed to limit subsidies to those who have carried out illegal fishing, in order to combat overexploitation.

Representatives of the Mercosur regional bloc, made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, are expected to meet with their European Union counterparts to advance a trade agreement that could be announced in the coming days in Buenos Aires.

The eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference, consisting of 164 nations, is the first to be held in South America.

The meeting opened amidst a major security operation to avoid protests in Buenos Aires, which included the deportation of activists. Nevertheless, hundreds of protesters marched along main avenues in Buenos Aires. WTO meetings often attract protests by anti-globalisation groups, but they have remained largely peaceful since riots broke out at the 1999 meeting in Seattle.

Argentina`s President Mauricio Macri has promoted business-friendly policies since taking office in December 2015, and Argentina will host global events as chair of the G20 group of major economies next year.&nbsp;

The World Trade Organisation`s ministerial meeting that opened on December 10 in the Argentine capital will seek consensus in reducing subsidies to fisheries and the agricultural sector, among other issues. Nevertheless, little progress is expected to be made due to unwillingness by the US

The World Trade Organisation`s ministerial meeting that opened on December 10 in the Argentine capital will seek consensus in reducing subsidies to fisheries and the agricultural sector, among other issues. Nevertheless, little progress is expected to be made due to unwillingness by the United States to reach agreements, some experts have noted. US Rep. Robert Lighthizer will have the task of defending President Donald Trump`s agenda based on the motto "America First." Experts believe the meeting, which will run until Wednesday, will be a success if a "clear and forceful" statement on the need to boost the development of the global trading system is achieved. The US has denied it wants to weaken the WTO, although Lighthizer had strong criticism against the rulings of the entity. In September he called for reforms to what he called a "deficient" system of dispute resolution. Officials gathered in Buenos Aires, believe that during the meeting a political commitment could be signed to limit subsidies to those who have carried out illegal fishing, in order to combat overexploitation. Representatives of the Mercosur regional bloc, made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, are expected to meet with their European Union counterparts to advance a trade agreement that could be announced in the coming days in Buenos Aires. The eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference, consisting of 164 nations, is the first to be held in South America. The meeting opened amidst a major security operation to avoid protests in Buenos Aires, which included the deportation of activists. Nevertheless, hundreds of protesters marched along main avenues in Buenos Aires. WTO meetings often attract protests by anti-globalisation groups, but they have remained largely peaceful since riots broke out at the 1999 meeting in Seattle. Argentina`s President Mauricio Macri has promoted business-friendly policies since taking office in December 2015, and Argentina will host global events as chair of the G20 group of major economies next year.

World Trade Organisation in Argentina seeks to advance deals, despite US resistance

After registering a stunning performance against the Olympic silver medallist Belgium in the quarter-finals hosts India will now lock horns with Olympic Champion and World No 1 Argentina in the semis of the Hockey World League Final on Friday.

During the entire tournament, predicting India&#39;s performance was next to impossible as inconsistency had been haunting the team so far. &nbsp;

And it would not be wrong to say that after such a spirited performance against Belgians, India has surely overcome its failure and are using it to their advantage.

But, India&#39;s next match with Argentina will definitely not be an easy ride. They have to come up with a different plan to and have to display a much-improved show to win the big game today.

India and Argentina have so far played 46 games against each other, out of which India have won 26, lost 16 and four ended in a tie.

If seen the previous matches, India was the only team that defeated Argentina on their way to gold medal triumph in 2016 Olympics. In Rio also, the Indians defeated Argentina 2-1 in the pool stages.

However, it still remains to be seen how Indian will handle the big match pressure against Argentina, which too had a relatively poor pool campaign before they registered their first win here in the quarterfinal.

Predicting India's performance in this tournament was next to impossible as inconsistency had been haunting the team.

After registering a stunning performance against the Olympic silver medallist Belgium in the quarter-finals hosts India will now lock horns with Olympic Champion and World No 1 Argentina in the semis of the Hockey World League Final on Friday. During the entire tournament, predicting India's performance was next to impossible as inconsistency had been haunting the team so far. And it would not be wrong to say that after such a spirited performance against Belgians, India has surely overcome its failure and are using it to their advantage. But, India's next match with Argentina will definitely not be an easy ride. They have to come up with a different plan to and have to display a much-improved show to win the big game today. India and Argentina have so far played 46 games against each other, out of which India have won 26, lost 16 and four ended in a tie. If seen the previous matches, India was the only team that defeated Argentina on their way to gold medal triumph in 2016 Olympics. In Rio also, the Indians defeated Argentina 2-1 in the pool stages. However, it still remains to be seen how Indian will handle the big match pressure against Argentina, which too had a relatively poor pool campaign before they registered their first win here in the quarterfinal.

HWL 2017: India to lock horns with World No-1 Argentina in semi-finals today

Rain spoiled India&#39;s party as they struggled in heavy pitch conditions to lose 0-1 to Olympic champions Argentina and crash out of title race in the Hockey World League (HWL) Final here today.

The city crowd braved rain and windy conditions to pack the stadium and support the home team, but they had to return home disappointed as India were done in by waterlogged pitch.

Argentina utilised the only penalty corner that came their way to perfection in the first semi-final of the eight-nation tournament at the Kalinga Stadium.

Gonzalo Peillat struck from his team&#39;s only short corner in the 17th minute to take a decisive 1-0 lead that the world number one side managed to hold on despite a barrage of attacks from India in the third and fourth quarters.

Going by statistics, India had the upper hand over Argentina. The Indians had more shots on goal (5 as against Argentina&#39;s 4) and circle entries (11 against 10) than their opponents, but what eluded them is a goal that could have taken the match into a shoot-out.

The semi-final hurdle continued to haunt India in the tournament as they also crashed out in the same round of the event&#39;s last edition at Raipur in 2015, eventually finishing third.

The International Hockey Federation&#39;s (FIH) decision to continue with the match despite unfavourable pitch conditions because of continuous downpour came as a surprise for all and sundry, especially Netherlands and England, who too struggled in the seventh-eighth place classification match earlier in the day.

Both the teams struggled to cope with the conditions and the first quarter failed to produce any clear-cut chance.

The Argentines, on one occasion, came close early but India goalkeeper Akash Chikte was alert and dived full length to intercept a dangerous-looking pass.

The Argentines handled the conditions much better than the Indians, who struggled to pass the ball and could not tackle the adverse weather.

The heavy pitch following relentless downpour ensured that the Indians cannot rely on their strength -- fast counter attacks -- to unsettle the Argentines.

The Argentines on the other hand realised the need of the hour. They slowed the pace of the game and used the aerial ball more often than their opponents.

With field goals difficult to come by on a waterlogged pitch, penalty corner conversions became the need of the hour and the Los Leones duly utilised the only short corner that came their way.

Just two minutes into the second quarter, Argentina secured their first penalty corner and Gonzalo Peillat was bang on target. Once they conceded a goal, it was always going to be difficult for the Indians to turn the script with conditions totally not in their favour.

The Argentines remained calm after taking the lead and slowed down the pace of the match considerably whenever they wanted.

The Indians, though, displayed much better hockey after the change of ends as they created numerous scoring chances but once again lacked finishing touches. Utilising penalty corners was always going to be the key in deciding the outcome of the match, and India faltered in that department.

Minutes into the second half India earned back-to-back penalty corners, but Rupinderpal Singh failed to convert both and from there on it was always going to be an uphill task.

The Indians kept up the pressure and mounted a series of raids and on one such occasion Gurjant Singh came close, but his reverse shot was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi in the 51st minute.

India will now play the loser of the second semifinal between Australia and Germany in the bronze medal match on Sunday.&nbsp;

The semi-final hurdle continued to haunt India in the tournament as they also crashed out in the same round of the event's last edition at Raipur in 2015, eventually finishing third

Rain spoiled India's party as they struggled in heavy pitch conditions to lose 0-1 to Olympic champions Argentina and crash out of title race in the Hockey World League (HWL) Final here today. The city crowd braved rain and windy conditions to pack the stadium and support the home team, but they had to return home disappointed as India were done in by waterlogged pitch. Argentina utilised the only penalty corner that came their way to perfection in the first semi-final of the eight-nation tournament at the Kalinga Stadium. Gonzalo Peillat struck from his team's only short corner in the 17th minute to take a decisive 1-0 lead that the world number one side managed to hold on despite a barrage of attacks from India in the third and fourth quarters. Going by statistics, India had the upper hand over Argentina. The Indians had more shots on goal (5 as against Argentina's 4) and circle entries (11 against 10) than their opponents, but what eluded them is a goal that could have taken the match into a shoot-out. The semi-final hurdle continued to haunt India in the tournament as they also crashed out in the same round of the event's last edition at Raipur in 2015, eventually finishing third. The International Hockey Federation's (FIH) decision to continue with the match despite unfavourable pitch conditions because of continuous downpour came as a surprise for all and sundry, especially Netherlands and England, who too struggled in the seventh-eighth place classification match earlier in the day. Both the teams struggled to cope with the conditions and the first quarter failed to produce any clear-cut chance. The Argentines, on one occasion, came close early but India goalkeeper Akash Chikte was alert and dived full length to intercept a dangerous-looking pass. The Argentines handled the conditions much better than the Indians, who struggled to pass the ball and could not tackle the adverse weather. The heavy pitch following relentless downpour ensured that the Indians cannot rely on their strength -- fast counter attacks -- to unsettle the Argentines. The Argentines on the other hand realised the need of the hour. They slowed the pace of the game and used the aerial ball more often than their opponents. With field goals difficult to come by on a waterlogged pitch, penalty corner conversions became the need of the hour and the Los Leones duly utilised the only short corner that came their way. Just two minutes into the second quarter, Argentina secured their first penalty corner and Gonzalo Peillat was bang on target. Once they conceded a goal, it was always going to be difficult for the Indians to turn the script with conditions totally not in their favour. The Argentines remained calm after taking the lead and slowed down the pace of the match considerably whenever they wanted. The Indians, though, displayed much better hockey after the change of ends as they created numerous scoring chances but once again lacked finishing touches. Utilising penalty corners was always going to be the key in deciding the outcome of the match, and India faltered in that department. Minutes into the second half India earned back-to-back penalty corners, but Rupinderpal Singh failed to convert both and from there on it was always going to be an uphill task. The Indians kept up the pressure and mounted a series of raids and on one such occasion Gurjant Singh came close, but his reverse shot was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi in the 51st minute. India will now play the loser of the second semifinal between Australia and Germany in the bronze medal match on Sunday.

Argentina beat India in Hockey World League semi-final

Iceland the made history as with a population of 334,252, they became the smallest nation to reach the World Cup. It is their debut for the World Cup and they avenged the heartbreak of missing Brazil 2014 by reaching Russia 2018.

Their brilliant performance at Euro Cup 2016 and Iceland&#39;s remarkable rise has been rewarded as they surprised everyone by qualifying for the World Cup along with some big guns like Germany, France, Spain&nbsp;from Europe.

They reached the quarter-finals of Euro Cup having beaten England by 2-1 that&nbsp;made Roy Hodgson quit as England manager after the&nbsp;humiliating defeat.

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Sigurdsson also set up the second for Johann Gudmundsson midway through the second half as Iceland completed the campaign by winning their final three games without conceding a goal. (AFP)
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Gylfi Sigurdsson played an integral role in Iceland reaching Russia 2018. He was named Icelandic Player of the Year for continuous five seasons. In an interview, he mentioned, &quot;We&rsquo;re looking forward to seeing the thunderclap in Russia&rdquo;.

Iceland supporters performing the &#39;thunderclap&#39; is an extraordinary sight. A noisy and visually spectacular display of synchronicity and passion, it has the ability to give those watching &ndash; and those taking part &ndash; goosebumps.

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Now they have been placed in group D and will play their first match against Argentina and rest other games with Croatia and Nigeria. They were drawn out of Pot 3.

Iceland currently stands in 21st place in the official FIFA rankings.

Iceland&#39;s journey has been a dream run from the Euro Cup to the World Cup but even Panama is set to make their World Cup bow.&nbsp;World Cup 2018 might be dazzling for the first timers but it is&nbsp;very difficult to predict the first match of group D which is between Argentina and Iceland.

Even mediocre nations are ready to take eeryone by surprise in the&nbsp;World Cup 2018.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, "We?re looking forward to seeing the thunderclap in Russia?

Iceland the made history as with a population of 334,252, they became the smallest nation to reach the World Cup. It is their debut for the World Cup and they avenged the heartbreak of missing Brazil 2014 by reaching Russia 2018. Their brilliant performance at Euro Cup 2016 and Iceland's remarkable rise has been rewarded as they surprised everyone by qualifying for the World Cup along with some big guns like Germany, France, Spain from Europe. They reached the quarter-finals of Euro Cup having beaten England by 2-1 that made Roy Hodgson quit as England manager after the humiliating defeat. Sigurdsson also set up the second for Johann Gudmundsson midway through the second half as Iceland completed the campaign by winning their final three games without conceding a goal. (AFP) × Gylfi Sigurdsson played an integral role in Iceland reaching Russia 2018. He was named Icelandic Player of the Year for continuous five seasons. In an interview, he mentioned, "We’re looking forward to seeing the thunderclap in Russia”. Iceland supporters performing the 'thunderclap' is an extraordinary sight. A noisy and visually spectacular display of synchronicity and passion, it has the ability to give those watching – and those taking part – goosebumps. × Now they have been placed in group D and will play their first match against Argentina and rest other games with Croatia and Nigeria. They were drawn out of Pot 3. Iceland currently stands in 21st place in the official FIFA rankings. Iceland's journey has been a dream run from the Euro Cup to the World Cup but even Panama is set to make their World Cup bow. World Cup 2018 might be dazzling for the first timers but it is very difficult to predict the first match of group D which is between Argentina and Iceland. Even mediocre nations are ready to take eeryone by surprise in the World Cup 2018.

A dream run for Iceland, its time for 'Viking war chant'

While continuing&nbsp;thorough search for the missing submarine, the Argentine navy is hopeful that the 44 crew members might still be alive.&nbsp;

&quot;We are at a stage of hope and hopelessness at the same time and will not speculate beyond the facts as we know them,&quot; he added.&#39;

It was earlier reported that the ARA SUn Juan was in the perfect condition and had passed system safety process before leaving for a training mission 10 days back, media reports said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-sign-of-submarine-5-days-later-44-people-missing-24710">Also read: No sign of submarine, 5 days later, 44 people missing</a>

United States, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Great Britain, Norway, France, Peru and other countries have also lent a hand in carrying out searches for the missing submarine.&nbsp;

Argentine Navy confirmed on Thursday that there was a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/argentine-navy-confirms-sound-detection-in-area-of-missing-submarine-24980">&quot;violent and non-nuclear event&quot; consistent with an explosion</a> occurred around the area where the ARA San Juan was lost along with 44 members.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explosion-dashes-last-hopes-for-missing-argentina-submarine-24990">Also read:&nbsp;&#39;Explosion&#39; dashes last hopes for missing Argentina submarine</a>

However, Families of the 44 crew members of a missing Argentine submarine <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hope-fades-after-9-days-of-searching-for-argentine-submarine-25077">gave up hope and went home</a> on Friday after days of waiting at the Mar del Plata naval base in sorrow.&nbsp;

The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said.&nbsp;

The ARA San Juan last made contact with naval authorities on 15 November.

While continuing thorough search for the missing submarine, the Argentine navy is hopeful that the 44 crew members might still be alive. "We are at a stage of hope and hopelessness at the same time and will not speculate beyond the facts as we know them," he added.' It was earlier reported that the ARA SUn Juan was in the perfect condition and had passed system safety process before leaving for a training mission 10 days back, media reports said. Also read: No sign of submarine, 5 days later, 44 people missing United States, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Great Britain, Norway, France, Peru and other countries have also lent a hand in carrying out searches for the missing submarine. Argentine Navy confirmed on Thursday that there was a "violent and non-nuclear event" consistent with an explosion occurred around the area where the ARA San Juan was lost along with 44 members. Also read: 'Explosion' dashes last hopes for missing Argentina submarine However, Families of the 44 crew members of a missing Argentine submarine gave up hope and went home on Friday after days of waiting at the Mar del Plata naval base in sorrow. The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said.

Argentine navy hopeful of submarine survivors

Families of the 44 crew members of a missing Argentine submarine gave up hope and went home on Friday after days of waiting at the Mar del Plata naval base in sorrow.&nbsp;

Families of the crew members were sad and angered by evidence that the vessel may have exploded.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explosion-dashes-last-hopes-for-missing-argentina-submarine-24990">An explosion had apparently occurred</a> near the last known position of an Argentine submarine, the Navy confirmed on Thursday, dashing last hopes of finding the vessel and its 44 crew members.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-sign-of-submarine-5-days-later-44-people-missing-24710">The submarine had been sailing</a> from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-assures-aid-to-argentina-over-missing-submarine-24885">Trump assures aid to Argentina over missing submarine</a>

On Friday evening, navy spokesman Enrique Balbi had said that improving weather would allow for boats with underwater detection capabilities to conduct a search.&nbsp;

President Mauricio Macri said the search would continue and that he expected the submarine to be located in the days ahead. He called for a &quot;serious and deep&quot; investigation into the incident once the search operation was complete. 
&nbsp;

The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board

Families of the 44 crew members of a missing Argentine submarine gave up hope and went home on Friday after days of waiting at the Mar del Plata naval base in sorrow. Families of the crew members were sad and angered by evidence that the vessel may have exploded. An explosion had apparently occurred near the last known position of an Argentine submarine, the Navy confirmed on Thursday, dashing last hopes of finding the vessel and its 44 crew members. The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said. Also read: Trump assures aid to Argentina over missing submarine On Friday evening, navy spokesman Enrique Balbi had said that improving weather would allow for boats with underwater detection capabilities to conduct a search. President Mauricio Macri said the search would continue and that he expected the submarine to be located in the days ahead. He called for a "serious and deep" investigation into the incident once the search operation was complete.

Hope fades after 9 days of searching for Argentine submarine

An explosion apparently occurred near the last known position of an<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/argentine-received-distress-calls-from-missing-submarine-6811"> Argentine submarine</a>, the&nbsp;navy&nbsp;confirmed on Thursday, dashing last hopes of finding the vessel and its 44 crew members.

Relatives of the missing sailors reacted with grief and anger to the news after holding out hope since the sub was reported overdue at its Mar del Plata base on November 17, two days after the explosion.

&quot;An anomalous, singular, short, violent and non-nuclear event consistent with an explosion,&quot; occurred shortly after the submarine&#39;s last communication, navy spokesman Captain Enrique Balbi told a news conference in Buenos Aires.

After days of false hopes, some of the relatives said the navy had retained information about the&nbsp;sub,&nbsp;and had lied to them over the past week.

&quot;I feel cheated,&quot; said Itati Leguizamon, whose husband German Suarez was a sonar operator on the ARA San Juan.

&quot;They did not tell us they died. But they tell us they are three thousand meters (9,800 feet) deep,&quot; added Leguizamon as other family members shouted angrily around her.

&quot;They lied to us,&quot; said&nbsp;Leguizamon, a lawyer.&nbsp;

A sobbing Jessica&nbsp;Gopar, whose husband was an electrician aboard the San Juan,&nbsp;said&nbsp;&quot;they just told us that the submarine exploded.&quot;

She spoke as she came out from the sub&#39;s base.

&quot;He was the love of my life, engaged seven years before we got married,&quot;&nbsp;Gopar&nbsp;said of her husband, Fernando Santilli. &quot;And how can I tell my son that he no longer has a father?&quot;

Underwater sounds detected in the first days of the search by two Argentine search ships were determined to originate from a sea creature, not the vessel. Satellite signals were also determined to be false alarms.

The San Juan, a 34-year-old German-built diesel-electric submarine, had reported a battery problem on November 15 and said it was diverting to Mar del Plata, but did not send a distress signal, according to the navy.

Balbi admitted on Wednesday that the situation for the sub and its crew appeared to be worsening.

However, he refused to speculate at that point on the origin of what he initially described as a &quot;hydro-acoustic anomaly&quot; detected in the ocean almost three hours after the sub&#39;s communication and 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of its last known position.

Balbi explained that information about the unusual noise only became available Wednesday after being relayed by the United States and &quot;after all the information from all agencies reporting such hydro-acoustic events was reviewed&quot;.

Explaining the lack of debris on the surface, Baldi said &quot;nothing will end up floating to the surface&quot; because a submarine &quot;implodes&quot;.

Gustavo&nbsp;Mauvecin, director of the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Mar del Plata, said hydrogen &quot;is always an issue with submarines with electric engines&quot;.

The San Juan &quot;has 500 tons of lead-acid batteries, which release hydrogen if there is an overcharge in the battery, hydrogen in contact with oxygen is explosive&quot;.

An explosion &#39;so violent&#39;

&quot;In my opinion, after an explosion like that, it&#39;s difficult for there to be survivors,&quot; a former submarine commander told AFP.

The commander said a problem with batteries, as the sub had reported, could cause a blast.

&quot;A severe problem with batteries might generate hydrogen. Hydrogen above a certain percentage is explosive,&quot; said the commander who requested anonymity.

Horacio Tobias, former chief of diving for the San Juan, said it &quot;was so violent that they would not have had time to realize what happened&quot;.

The San Juan would have had enough oxygen for its crew to survive underwater in the South Atlantic for seven days since its last contact, according to officials. That time had&nbsp;elapsed by&nbsp;0730 GMT Wednesday.

Argentina is leading an air-and-sea search with help from several countries now including Brazil, Britain, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Peru, Russia, the United States and Uruguay.

Russia was the latest navy to volunteer help, sending an oceanographic research ship as the operation shifted from rescue to recovery.

The Russian defense ministry said the Yantar was steaming to the area from the western coast of Africa on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.

The weeklong search has focused on the sub&#39;s last known position, around 200 miles off the Argentine coast, but has been hampered by bad weather.

Putin offered &quot;words of support over the situation with the San Juan submarine&quot; in a phone call to Argentine President Mauricio Macri late Wednesday, the Kremlin said.&nbsp;

Russia said the Yantar &quot;is equipped with two&nbsp;deep water&nbsp;submersibles which allow exploratory searches at a depth of up to 6,000 meters.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-vows-to-repeal-and-replace-obamacare-disaster-24978">US President Donald Trump</a> offered his support, tweeting: &quot;May God be with them and the people of Argentina!&quot;

An explosion apparently occurred near the last known position of an Argentine submarine, the?navy?confirmed on Thursday, dashing last hopes of finding the vessel and its 44 crew members

An explosion apparently occurred near the last known position of an Argentine submarine, the navy confirmed on Thursday, dashing last hopes of finding the vessel and its 44 crew members. Relatives of the missing sailors reacted with grief and anger to the news after holding out hope since the sub was reported overdue at its Mar del Plata base on November 17, two days after the explosion. "An anomalous, singular, short, violent and non-nuclear event consistent with an explosion," occurred shortly after the submarine's last communication, navy spokesman Captain Enrique Balbi told a news conference in Buenos Aires. After days of false hopes, some of the relatives said the navy had retained information about the sub, and had lied to them over the past week. "I feel cheated," said Itati Leguizamon, whose husband German Suarez was a sonar operator on the ARA San Juan. "They did not tell us they died. But they tell us they are three thousand meters (9,800 feet) deep," added Leguizamon as other family members shouted angrily around her. "They lied to us," said Leguizamon, a lawyer. A sobbing Jessica Gopar, whose husband was an electrician aboard the San Juan, said "they just told us that the submarine exploded." She spoke as she came out from the sub's base. "He was the love of my life, engaged seven years before we got married," Gopar said of her husband, Fernando Santilli. "And how can I tell my son that he no longer has a father?" Underwater sounds detected in the first days of the search by two Argentine search ships were determined to originate from a sea creature, not the vessel. Satellite signals were also determined to be false alarms. The San Juan, a 34-year-old German-built diesel-electric submarine, had reported a battery problem on November 15 and said it was diverting to Mar del Plata, but did not send a distress signal, according to the navy. Balbi admitted on Wednesday that the situation for the sub and its crew appeared to be worsening. However, he refused to speculate at that point on the origin of what he initially described as a "hydro-acoustic anomaly" detected in the ocean almost three hours after the sub's communication and 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of its last known position. Balbi explained that information about the unusual noise only became available Wednesday after being relayed by the United States and "after all the information from all agencies reporting such hydro-acoustic events was reviewed". Explaining the lack of debris on the surface, Baldi said "nothing will end up floating to the surface" because a submarine "implodes". Gustavo Mauvecin, director of the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Mar del Plata, said hydrogen "is always an issue with submarines with electric engines". The San Juan "has 500 tons of lead-acid batteries, which release hydrogen if there is an overcharge in the battery, hydrogen in contact with oxygen is explosive". An explosion 'so violent' "In my opinion, after an explosion like that, it's difficult for there to be survivors," a former submarine commander told AFP. The commander said a problem with batteries, as the sub had reported, could cause a blast. "A severe problem with batteries might generate hydrogen. Hydrogen above a certain percentage is explosive," said the commander who requested anonymity. Horacio Tobias, former chief of diving for the San Juan, said it "was so violent that they would not have had time to realize what happened". The San Juan would have had enough oxygen for its crew to survive underwater in the South Atlantic for seven days since its last contact, according to officials. That time had elapsed by 0730 GMT Wednesday. Argentina is leading an air-and-sea search with help from several countries now including Brazil, Britain, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Peru, Russia, the United States and Uruguay. Russia was the latest navy to volunteer help, sending an oceanographic research ship as the operation shifted from rescue to recovery. The Russian defense ministry said the Yantar was steaming to the area from the western coast of Africa on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. The weeklong search has focused on the sub's last known position, around 200 miles off the Argentine coast, but has been hampered by bad weather. Putin offered "words of support over the situation with the San Juan submarine" in a phone call to Argentine President Mauricio Macri late Wednesday, the Kremlin said. Russia said the Yantar "is equipped with two deep water submersibles which allow exploratory searches at a depth of up to 6,000 meters." US President Donald Trump offered his support, tweeting: "May God be with them and the people of Argentina!"

'Explosion' dashes last hopes for missing Argentina submarine

Argentine Navy confirmed on Thursday that there was a &quot;violent and non-nuclear event&quot; consistent with an explosion occurred around the area where the ARA San Juan was lost along with 44 members.

According to Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the Argentine Navy (ARA), the US and nuclear testing organization in Austria confirmed the incident.

&quot;Specifically, we received information about an abnormal, unusual, short, violent and non-nuclear event, possibly an explosion,&quot; said Balbi.

Balbi added that their reason for the explosion remains unknown and is still under observation by the officials&nbsp;

Moreover, no evidence suggests that it was caused by an external attack.&nbsp;

Three Argentine vessels on Wednesday followed by six more on Thursday have started searching the explosion-hit area. The spokesperson confirms that the search will continue till the submarine and its crew member are found&nbsp;

&quot;We will continue our search and rescue operation until we can gather more evidence on where the ARA San Juan and its 44 crew members are at. We will continue this work before drawing any final conclusion with full certainty,&quot; said Balbi.

The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-sign-of-submarine-5-days-later-44-people-missing-24710">declared missing</a> last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said.&nbsp;

Reports also said that the crew would have run out of oxygen as it was supposed to last for just seven days, leaving international rescue mission to conduct search operations at a faster pace in order to spot any signals.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-assures-aid-to-argentina-over-missing-submarine-24885">assured Argentina of all support</a> and cooperation in finding the ARA San Juan submarine on Thursday.&nbsp;

Reports say that there was a "violent and non-nuclear event" consistent with an explosion occurred around the area where the ARA San Juan

Argentine Navy confirmed on Thursday that there was a "violent and non-nuclear event" consistent with an explosion occurred around the area where the ARA San Juan was lost along with 44 members. According to Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the Argentine Navy (ARA), the US and nuclear testing organization in Austria confirmed the incident. "Specifically, we received information about an abnormal, unusual, short, violent and non-nuclear event, possibly an explosion," said Balbi. Balbi added that their reason for the explosion remains unknown and is still under observation by the officials Moreover, no evidence suggests that it was caused by an external attack. Three Argentine vessels on Wednesday followed by six more on Thursday have started searching the explosion-hit area. The spokesperson confirms that the search will continue till the submarine and its crew member are found "We will continue our search and rescue operation until we can gather more evidence on where the ARA San Juan and its 44 crew members are at. We will continue this work before drawing any final conclusion with full certainty," said Balbi. The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said. Reports also said that the crew would have run out of oxygen as it was supposed to last for just seven days, leaving international rescue mission to conduct search operations at a faster pace in order to spot any signals. US President Donald Trump has assured Argentina of all support and cooperation in finding the ARA San Juan submarine on Thursday.

Argentine navy confirms sound detection in area of missing submarine

Amid&nbsp;reports of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-sign-of-submarine-5-days-later-44-people-missing-24710">missing Argentine submarine</a>, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has assured Argentina of all support and cooperation in finding the ARA San Juan submarine&nbsp;on Thursday.&nbsp;

&quot;I have long given the order to help Argentina with the search and rescue mission of their missing submarine. 45 people aboard and not much time left. May God be with them and the people of Argentina,&quot; Trump tweeted.

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I have long given the order to help Argentina with the Search and Rescue mission of their missing submarine. 45 people aboard and not much time left. May God be with them and the people of Argentina!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/933448074348900354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-submarine-missing-for-5-days-reported-problem-in-final-call-navy-24683"> submarine</a> had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said.&nbsp;

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Argentina&#39;s Navy destroyer sails off for the search of missing submarine ARA San Juan, from the north breakwater of Argentina&#39;s Navy base in Mar del Plata, on the Atlantic coast south of Buenos Aires (AFP)
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Also watch:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/argentine-received-distress-calls-from-missing-submarine-6811">&nbsp;Argentine received distress calls from missing submarine</a>

Reports also said that the crew would have run&nbsp;out of oxygen as it was supposed to last for just seven days, leaving international rescue mission to conduct search operations at a faster pace in order to spot any signals.&nbsp;

Many friends and families have been waiting outside Mar del Plata to hear any news about the missing submarine.

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People put up signs in support of the 44 crew members of the ARA San Juan submarine missing at sea. (Reuters)
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Families wait outside the Naval base in Mar del Plata to hear of news of the missing submarine. (AFP)
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US, UK&nbsp;and Chile have offered satellites and ships to aid in the search operations.

The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board.

Amid reports of the missing Argentine submarine, US President Donald Trump has assured Argentina of all support and cooperation in finding the ARA San Juan submarine on Thursday. "I have long given the order to help Argentina with the search and rescue mission of their missing submarine. 45 people aboard and not much time left. May God be with them and the people of Argentina," Trump tweeted. I have long given the order to help Argentina with the Search and Rescue mission of their missing submarine. 45 people aboard and not much time left. May God be with them and the people of Argentina! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2017 × The submarine had been sailing from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it was declared missing last Wednesday with 44 crew members on board, reports said. Argentina's Navy destroyer sails off for the search of missing submarine ARA San Juan, from the north breakwater of Argentina's Navy base in Mar del Plata, on the Atlantic coast south of Buenos Aires (AFP) × Also watch: Argentine received distress calls from missing submarine Reports also said that the crew would have run out of oxygen as it was supposed to last for just seven days, leaving international rescue mission to conduct search operations at a faster pace in order to spot any signals. Many friends and families have been waiting outside Mar del Plata to hear any news about the missing submarine. People put up signs in support of the 44 crew members of the ARA San Juan submarine missing at sea. (Reuters) × Families wait outside the Naval base in Mar del Plata to hear of news of the missing submarine. (AFP) × US, UK and Chile have offered satellites and ships to aid in the search operations.

Trump assures aid to Argentina over missing submarine

The wire fence at the Mar del Plata naval base was dotted&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;with emotional messages holding out hope for word from the 44 Argentine submariners lost in the South Atlantic for five days.

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Outside the base 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Buenos Aires, the mood was tense but still somewhat optimistic.
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Ships and aircraft from seven countries are searching 24 hours a day through storms that have continued to rage at sea. And still, they have brought none of the news relatives want.
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&quot;Courageous Men and Women of the Navy: Our Hearts have Stopped Beating Until You&#39;re Home,&quot; read one banner, carefully handwritten.
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Most of the crew live in this seaside South Atlantic city.
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Many hail from distant provinces, like Eliana Krawczyk, from Misiones in the north. She is South America&#39;s first female submariner.
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About 100 relatives of the missing were at the base getting crisis medical and counseling support, around the clock. They tried to stay calm and keep hope alive.
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&quot;Be strong Daddy. Your family is waiting for you,&quot; read one sign, alongside religious posters and some handwritten prayers.
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Anxiety is deepening
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&quot;People&#39;s moods are pretty good. Of course some are more upbeat than others. But there is a general feeling that at any time, something positive could happen,&quot; said Jorge Villarreal, the father of crew member Fernando.
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Media are not allowed on the base.
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And only some relatives come. Some stop, take pictures, leave messages and head off on the avenue outside the base.
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President Mauricio Macri met with them to try to rally spirits.
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&quot;So far, we have not had a lot of crisis reactions, such as weeping; people are sort of stable amid the uncertainty,&quot; said therapist Enrique Stein.
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But &quot;anxiety is starting to grow,&quot; he stressed.
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Search efforts have been hampered by inclement weather, including a powerful storm that has whipped up waves reaching seven meters (23 feet) in height.
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A multinational air and sea search team is focusing on an ocean patch about 300 kilometers in diameter, radiating from the last point of contact.
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The submarine had been returning from a routine mission to Ushuaia, near the southernmost tip of South America, to Mar del Plata.
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It is one of three submarines in the Argentine fleet.
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Sixty-five meters long and seven meters wide, it was built by Germany&#39;s Thyssen Nordseewerke and launched more than three decades ago.
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It underwent a refit between 2007 and 2014 to extend its use by about 30 years.
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The wire fence at the Mar del Plata naval base was dotted?Monday?with emotional messages holding out hope for word from the 44 Argentine submariners lost in the South Atlantic for five days

The wire fence at the Mar del Plata naval base was dotted Monday with emotional messages holding out hope for word from the 44 Argentine submariners lost in the South Atlantic for five days. Outside the base 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Buenos Aires, the mood was tense but still somewhat optimistic. Ships and aircraft from seven countries are searching 24 hours a day through storms that have continued to rage at sea. And still, they have brought none of the news relatives want. "Courageous Men and Women of the Navy: Our Hearts have Stopped Beating Until You're Home," read one banner, carefully handwritten. Most of the crew live in this seaside South Atlantic city. Many hail from distant provinces, like Eliana Krawczyk, from Misiones in the north. She is South America's first female submariner. About 100 relatives of the missing were at the base getting crisis medical and counseling support, around the clock. They tried to stay calm and keep hope alive. "Be strong Daddy. Your family is waiting for you," read one sign, alongside religious posters and some handwritten prayers. Anxiety is deepening "People's moods are pretty good. Of course some are more upbeat than others. But there is a general feeling that at any time, something positive could happen," said Jorge Villarreal, the father of crew member Fernando. Media are not allowed on the base. And only some relatives come. Some stop, take pictures, leave messages and head off on the avenue outside the base. President Mauricio Macri met with them to try to rally spirits. "So far, we have not had a lot of crisis reactions, such as weeping; people are sort of stable amid the uncertainty," said therapist Enrique Stein. But "anxiety is starting to grow," he stressed. Search efforts have been hampered by inclement weather, including a powerful storm that has whipped up waves reaching seven meters (23 feet) in height. A multinational air and sea search team is focusing on an ocean patch about 300 kilometers in diameter, radiating from the last point of contact. The submarine had been returning from a routine mission to Ushuaia, near the southernmost tip of South America, to Mar del Plata. It is one of three submarines in the Argentine fleet. Sixty-five meters long and seven meters wide, it was built by Germany's Thyssen Nordseewerke and launched more than three decades ago. It underwent a refit between 2007 and 2014 to extend its use by about 30 years.

No sign of submarine, 5 days later, 44 people missing

The superstar, widely regarded as on the greatest players of all time, played his final match for Boca Juniors against their arch-rivals River Plate on October 25, 1997. Fittingly, Maradona`s Boca won 2-1.

The stocky Argentine was widely seen as one of the world`s best-ever players in his 1980s` heyday, but he battled drug addiction, obesity and alcoholism for years after retiring from the game.

Rising to stardom from a Buenos Aires slum to lead Argentina to World Cup victory, Maradona`s life is the ultimate rags-to-riches story in the soccer-mad country where he has gained the iconic status of Che Guevara or Evita Peron.

He moved to Boca Juniors in 1981, helped them win the Argentine championship in 1982, and was transferred to Barcelona for a then record 3 million U.S. dollars. He moved to Italy`s Napoli two years later.

He was feted as a god by the tifosi as he inspired Napoli to their first league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989. But, during a decade at the top of his sport, the success and adoration seemed to blind him as he became embroiled in vice and corruption scandals.

At the peak of his form, he led Argentina to a 3-2 triumph over West Germany in the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico. It was his crowning glory.

Maradona`s fall was sudden and swift. After he had coaxed a mediocre Argentina team to their second successive World Cup final in Rome in July 1990, he failed a doping test in Italy in 1991.

He was suspended for 15 months and was also investigated over alleged Mafia ties and later arrested in Argentina for cocaine possession.

He tested positive for a cocktail of drugs during his fourth World Cup in 1994 and was suspended from the tournament. He came back with Boca Juniors in 1995 but failed another drug test two years later before retiring on his 37th birthday, five days after the River Plate game.

Rising to stardom from a Buenos Aires slum to lead Argentina to World Cup victory, Maradona`s life is the ultimate rags-to-riches story in the soccer-mad country

The superstar, widely regarded as on the greatest players of all time, played his final match for Boca Juniors against their arch-rivals River Plate on October 25, 1997. Fittingly, Maradona`s Boca won 2-1. The stocky Argentine was widely seen as one of the world`s best-ever players in his 1980s` heyday, but he battled drug addiction, obesity and alcoholism for years after retiring from the game. Rising to stardom from a Buenos Aires slum to lead Argentina to World Cup victory, Maradona`s life is the ultimate rags-to-riches story in the soccer-mad country where he has gained the iconic status of Che Guevara or Evita Peron. He moved to Boca Juniors in 1981, helped them win the Argentine championship in 1982, and was transferred to Barcelona for a then record 3 million U.S. dollars. He moved to Italy`s Napoli two years later. He was feted as a god by the tifosi as he inspired Napoli to their first league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989. But, during a decade at the top of his sport, the success and adoration seemed to blind him as he became embroiled in vice and corruption scandals. At the peak of his form, he led Argentina to a 3-2 triumph over West Germany in the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico. It was his crowning glory. Maradona`s fall was sudden and swift. After he had coaxed a mediocre Argentina team to their second successive World Cup final in Rome in July 1990, he failed a doping test in Italy in 1991. He was suspended for 15 months and was also investigated over alleged Mafia ties and later arrested in Argentina for cocaine possession. He tested positive for a cocktail of drugs during his fourth World Cup in 1994 and was suspended from the tournament. He came back with Boca Juniors in 1995 but failed another drug test two years later before retiring on his 37th birthday, five days after the River Plate game.

Watch: Diego Maradona retired from professional football 20 years ago today

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Pro-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> media unit Wafa&#39; Foundation continues to threaten 2018 FIFA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a>, this time using an image of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LionelMessi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LionelMessi</a> in a prison outfit <a href="https://t.co/isB8RDKYAK">pic.twitter.com/isB8RDKYAK</a>
&mdash; SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) <a href="https://twitter.com/siteintelgroup/status/922863797928329216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup to be held in 2018, the Wafa Media Foundation,&nbsp; a pro-ISIS group on Twitter, releases a shocking image to threaten fans and followers of football.

The Islamic State&#39;s mouthpiece used the face of the Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi to convey their ideology. The released poster says &#39;Just Terrorism&#39; and &#39;You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary&#39;. Also in the poster, Lionel Messi is standing behind the bar with one eye crying blood.

The poster is intended to spread terror among football fans, indicating also that the terror group may carry a terror attack during FIFA World Cup. The other posters released by them contain pictures of rifles and explosives. Last week, Wafa Media Foundation published one photo of a fighter carrying a rifle and a time-bomb with the ISIS black flag in front of a football stadium. The official symbol of the 2018 World Cup finals was also included in the image.

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The poster says, &quot;Oh, enemies of Allah in Russia, I swear that the fire of the mujahideen will burn them, just wait,&quot;. (Twitter)
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Politics has always been part of all sporting events in the recorded history of humankind. When Indian football clubs played with their British counterpart, it was very much a display of nationalist sentiment. In more recent times, every cricket match between India and Pakistan was an extension of the political tension that exists between the two nation. Winning a match has become more than a sporting event, it has come to signify, unfortunately, the superiority of one nation over the other. Political permeation of sports is not limited to the subcontinent; every football match played between and English and Wales football club show the domineering influence of politics, often sidelining the sporting spirit.

For repressive minority groups, sports events have often served as a tool to convey their sufferings to the rest of the world. For instance, recently, American football player Colin Kaepernick initiated a protest against New York police brutality. The NFL players either took a knee during the national anthem before a game or stand with arms locked in silent protest. This bold move started as a result of repeated videos showing police shooting and killing unarmed black men.

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NFL protest (Others)
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Racism has time again inspired players to protest. In the 1968 Olympics, 200m gold and bronze medalist Tommie Smith and John Carlos respectively took up a public stance against racism. They stood with their heads bowed and raising a black-gloved hand as the American National Anthem played during the victory ceremony.

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Tommie Smith and John Carlos (Others)
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But, terrorism in sports is something that has caused global concern and condemnation. The threat of terrorism has become a major threat to all major sporting events as causing a debacle there, the terrorists understand well enough, would have global repercussions. Sporting events, such as the Olympics, football tournaments and cricket matches have been targeted, some of them had a larger impact such as the 1972 Olympics in Munich.&nbsp;

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The Palestine Liberation Organization terrorist at 1972 Munich Olympics. (Others)
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At the Munich Olympics, eleven Israeli Olympic team members were taken as the hostage and eventually killed, along with a German police officer, by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. The attack was motivated by the desire to release members of the Palestine Liberation Organization held in captivity in Israeli prisons. German neo-Nazis gave logistical help to the commander of the terrorist group, Luttif Afif in carrying out the brutal attack.&nbsp;

The Boston Marathon of 2013 witnessed another bloody chapter in global sports history; two bombs were detonated near the finishing line, leaving three people dead and more than 260 injured. These attacks will always be considered as dark chapters in the history of sports, and the recent one targeting FIFA World Cup is another chapter added to the books on &#39;sports and terrorism&#39;.

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Double bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured at least 264. (Others)
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Terror threat to FIFA World Cup will definitely influence the football festival. Having millions of followers, the Argentinian star is a legend and is also one of the favourites in the football fraternity. The terrorist, thus, very judiciously picked up the poster boy of the game.&nbsp;

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be played across 11 cities in Russia from&nbsp;June 14 to July 15, and the final will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Hence, these continuous terrorist threats raise a serious question as to how the Russian government is going to deal with the security issues during the World Cup. Meanwhile, these threats will remain the main concern for football fans and followers, who are eager to visit Russia to support their favourite teams.

Vulnerable targets, media exposure, and international impact are some of the reasons why terrorists have increasingly started targeting sporting venues.

Pro-#ISIS media unit Wafa' Foundation continues to threaten 2018 FIFA #WorldCup, this time using an image of #LionelMessi in a prison outfit pic.twitter.com/isB8RDKYAK — SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) October 24, 2017 × Ahead of the FIFA World Cup to be held in 2018, the Wafa Media Foundation, a pro-ISIS group on Twitter, releases a shocking image to threaten fans and followers of football. The Islamic State's mouthpiece used the face of the Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi to convey their ideology. The released poster says 'Just Terrorism' and 'You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary'. Also in the poster, Lionel Messi is standing behind the bar with one eye crying blood. The poster is intended to spread terror among football fans, indicating also that the terror group may carry a terror attack during FIFA World Cup. The other posters released by them contain pictures of rifles and explosives. Last week, Wafa Media Foundation published one photo of a fighter carrying a rifle and a time-bomb with the ISIS black flag in front of a football stadium. The official symbol of the 2018 World Cup finals was also included in the image. The poster says, "Oh, enemies of Allah in Russia, I swear that the fire of the mujahideen will burn them, just wait,". (Twitter) × Politics has always been part of all sporting events in the recorded history of humankind. When Indian football clubs played with their British counterpart, it was very much a display of nationalist sentiment. In more recent times, every cricket match between India and Pakistan was an extension of the political tension that exists between the two nation. Winning a match has become more than a sporting event, it has come to signify, unfortunately, the superiority of one nation over the other. Political permeation of sports is not limited to the subcontinent; every football match played between and English and Wales football club show the domineering influence of politics, often sidelining the sporting spirit. For repressive minority groups, sports events have often served as a tool to convey their sufferings to the rest of the world. For instance, recently, American football player Colin Kaepernick initiated a protest against New York police brutality. The NFL players either took a knee during the national anthem before a game or stand with arms locked in silent protest. This bold move started as a result of repeated videos showing police shooting and killing unarmed black men. NFL protest (Others) × Racism has time again inspired players to protest. In the 1968 Olympics, 200m gold and bronze medalist Tommie Smith and John Carlos respectively took up a public stance against racism. They stood with their heads bowed and raising a black-gloved hand as the American National Anthem played during the victory ceremony. Tommie Smith and John Carlos (Others) × But, terrorism in sports is something that has caused global concern and condemnation. The threat of terrorism has become a major threat to all major sporting events as causing a debacle there, the terrorists understand well enough, would have global repercussions. Sporting events, such as the Olympics, football tournaments and cricket matches have been targeted, some of them had a larger impact such as the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The Palestine Liberation Organization terrorist at 1972 Munich Olympics. (Others) × At the Munich Olympics, eleven Israeli Olympic team members were taken as the hostage and eventually killed, along with a German police officer, by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. The attack was motivated by the desire to release members of the Palestine Liberation Organization held in captivity in Israeli prisons. German neo-Nazis gave logistical help to the commander of the terrorist group, Luttif Afif in carrying out the brutal attack. The Boston Marathon of 2013 witnessed another bloody chapter in global sports history; two bombs were detonated near the finishing line, leaving three people dead and more than 260 injured. These attacks will always be considered as dark chapters in the history of sports, and the recent one targeting FIFA World Cup is another chapter added to the books on 'sports and terrorism'. Double bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured at least 264. (Others) × Terror threat to FIFA World Cup will definitely influence the football festival. Having millions of followers, the Argentinian star is a legend and is also one of the favourites in the football fraternity. The terrorist, thus, very judiciously picked up the poster boy of the game. The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be played across 11 cities in Russia from June 14 to July 15, and the final will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Hence, these continuous terrorist threats raise a serious question as to how the Russian government is going to deal with the security issues during the World Cup. Meanwhile, these threats will remain the main concern for football fans and followers, who are eager to visit Russia to support their favourite teams.

Munich to Messi: Why terror haunts sports

Lionel Messi and Argentina will be fighting for their World Cup lives on Tuesday as the South American heavyweights take on Ecuador aiming to avoid a humiliating failure to qualify for next year&#39;s finals in Russia.

The eyes of the football world will turn to Quito&#39;s Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa to see if the once unthinkable prospect of a World Cup without Messi is to become a stunning reality.

The two-time World Cup winners head into the final round of the South American qualifiers in sixth place, outside the top four positions which grant automatic qualification and trailing fifth-placed Peru, who occupy the play-off spot, on goal difference.

Yet with only two points separating third-placed Chile (26 points) with seventh-placed Paraguay (24), any number of permutations are possible.

Argentina can simplify the equation for their nervous fans, however, if they manage to take all three points in Quito on Tuesday.

A victory would guarantee they finish no worse than fifth place, putting them into a two-legged play-off against New Zealand they would be expected to win.

But winning in the thin air of Quito, which is 2,850 metres (9,350 feet) above sea level, may be easier said than done.

The Argentinians have an abysmal record in away games against Ecuador, with their last victory in Quito coming in 2001.

Since then in World Cup qualifying games, they have been beaten twice, in 2005 and 2009, before scraping a 1-1 draw in 2013.

Barcelona star Messi also has a record of struggling in games at altitude, vomiting on the pitch during a draw in the rarefied air of Bolivia four years ago.

&#39;A catastrophe&#39; 
The 30-year-old five-time Ballon D&#39;Or winner also &nbsp;heads into the game knowing that next year&#39;s finals in Russia may be his final chance to emulate Diego Maradona by winning a World Cup.

&quot;A World Cup without Argentina and without Messi would be a catastrophe,&quot; Argentina&#39;s 1978 World Cup hero Mario Kempes said this week.&nbsp;

&quot;The only ones who would be happy if Messi doesn&#39;t go to the World Cup would be Maradona fans.&quot;

The 2014 World Cup finalists face their moment of truth after a series of uninspiring performances that has left the footballing world scratching its head at how a squad bristling with so much attacking talent has found scoring so difficult.

Despite being able to call upon Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria throughout the campaign, Argentina have only scored 16 times in 17 games.

Last Thursday&#39;s 0-0 stalemate with Peru in Buenos Aires was Argentina&#39;s third consecutive draw. The Albiceleste have now scored only once in their past four qualifying games.

For some Argentines, the troubles of the national team have been a long time coming. Sergio Batista, a member of the 1986 World Cup-winning team, was scathing in his assessment.

&quot;Argentina is all at sea. But this didn&#39;t happen recently. It&#39;s the end of a movie I&#39;ve been watching for 10 years,&quot; Batista said.&nbsp;

&quot;I believe in projects and planning, but in our football, there&#39;s nothing. Seven managers in 10 years? And three in a single qualifying campaign? It wouldn&#39;t happen anywhere else.&quot;

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Chile could seal their qualification with victory over Brazil in Sao Paulo. Brazil have already qualified for the finals and are guaranteed top spot.

Uruguay meanwhile need only take a point in their home qualifier against already-eliminated Bolivia to be certain of progressing.

One of the most high-stakes games comes in Lima, where Peru will aim to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1982 when they take on Colombia.

Colombia were moments from qualifying for the World Cup last Thursday before two last-gasp goals from Paraguay turned a 1-0 win into a 2-1 defeat.

That win kept Paraguay&#39;s qualification bid alive and a home win over Venezuela on Tuesday could see them seal their place to Russia depending on results elsewhere. 
&nbsp;

Argentina take on Ecuador early Wednesday morning

Lionel Messi and Argentina will be fighting for their World Cup lives on Tuesday as the South American heavyweights take on Ecuador aiming to avoid a humiliating failure to qualify for next year's finals in Russia. The eyes of the football world will turn to Quito's Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa to see if the once unthinkable prospect of a World Cup without Messi is to become a stunning reality. The two-time World Cup winners head into the final round of the South American qualifiers in sixth place, outside the top four positions which grant automatic qualification and trailing fifth-placed Peru, who occupy the play-off spot, on goal difference. Yet with only two points separating third-placed Chile (26 points) with seventh-placed Paraguay (24), any number of permutations are possible. Argentina can simplify the equation for their nervous fans, however, if they manage to take all three points in Quito on Tuesday. A victory would guarantee they finish no worse than fifth place, putting them into a two-legged play-off against New Zealand they would be expected to win. But winning in the thin air of Quito, which is 2,850 metres (9,350 feet) above sea level, may be easier said than done. The Argentinians have an abysmal record in away games against Ecuador, with their last victory in Quito coming in 2001. Since then in World Cup qualifying games, they have been beaten twice, in 2005 and 2009, before scraping a 1-1 draw in 2013. Barcelona star Messi also has a record of struggling in games at altitude, vomiting on the pitch during a draw in the rarefied air of Bolivia four years ago. 'A catastrophe' The 30-year-old five-time Ballon D'Or winner also heads into the game knowing that next year's finals in Russia may be his final chance to emulate Diego Maradona by winning a World Cup. "A World Cup without Argentina and without Messi would be a catastrophe," Argentina's 1978 World Cup hero Mario Kempes said this week. "The only ones who would be happy if Messi doesn't go to the World Cup would be Maradona fans." The 2014 World Cup finalists face their moment of truth after a series of uninspiring performances that has left the footballing world scratching its head at how a squad bristling with so much attacking talent has found scoring so difficult. Despite being able to call upon Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria throughout the campaign, Argentina have only scored 16 times in 17 games. Last Thursday's 0-0 stalemate with Peru in Buenos Aires was Argentina's third consecutive draw. The Albiceleste have now scored only once in their past four qualifying games. For some Argentines, the troubles of the national team have been a long time coming. Sergio Batista, a member of the 1986 World Cup-winning team, was scathing in his assessment. "Argentina is all at sea. But this didn't happen recently. It's the end of a movie I've been watching for 10 years," Batista said. "I believe in projects and planning, but in our football, there's nothing. Seven managers in 10 years? And three in a single qualifying campaign? It wouldn't happen anywhere else." Elsewhere on Tuesday, Chile could seal their qualification with victory over Brazil in Sao Paulo. Brazil have already qualified for the finals and are guaranteed top spot. Uruguay meanwhile need only take a point in their home qualifier against already-eliminated Bolivia to be certain of progressing. One of the most high-stakes games comes in Lima, where Peru will aim to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1982 when they take on Colombia. Colombia were moments from qualifying for the World Cup last Thursday before two last-gasp goals from Paraguay turned a 1-0 win into a 2-1 defeat. That win kept Paraguay's qualification bid alive and a home win over Venezuela on Tuesday could see them seal their place to Russia depending on results elsewhere.

Football World Cup qualifiers: Make or break for Messi and Argentina

The G-20 (Group of 20)&nbsp;is an international forum which was formed with the purpose of establishing international cooperation on global economic and financial&nbsp;issues. The forum plays an important role in decision making on issues of international relevance.

G20 countries account for three-quarters of global trade. The G-20 countries produce more than&nbsp;80 per cent of the global economic&nbsp;output.&nbsp;

Around two-third&nbsp;of the global population lives in G-20 member countries.&nbsp;

The G-20 started in 1999 as a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis that sent shockwaves through the global economic community.

In 2008, the first G-20 Leaders&rsquo; Summit was held, and the group played a key role in responding to the global financial crisis that rattled world markets causing massive financial instabilty and leading to the collapse of financial institutions.&nbsp;Its decisive and coordinated actions boosted consumer and business confidence and supported the global&nbsp;economic recovery.&nbsp;

How it works 
Each year in December&nbsp;a different G-20 member country assumes presidency of the forum. To ensure continuity, the presidency is supported by a &ldquo;troika&rdquo; (Trio) made up of the current, immediate past and next host countries. Being an informal group, the group has no permanent secretariat.&nbsp;

The G-20 president is responsible for bringing together the G-20 agenda in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy. The summit and the preparatory processes &ndash; often including more than 60 ministerial and working group meetings per year &ndash; are coordinated by the respective host country.

Members of G20 
The twenty members of the forum are :

<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Argentina</li>
				<li>Australia</li>
				<li>Brazil</li>
				<li>Canada</li>
				<li>China</li>
				<li>France</li>
				<li>Germany</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>India</li>
				<li>Indonesia</li>
				<li>Italy</li>
				<li>Japan</li>
				<li>Republic of Korea</li>
				<li>Mexico</li>
				<li>Russia</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td>
			<ul>
				<li>Saudi Arabia</li>
				<li>South Africa</li>
				<li>Turkey</li>
				<li>The United Kingdom</li>
				<li>The united States</li>
				<li>The European Union</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/1-20170707014700.JPG" />
<div class="media-description">
The map displays the member countries, which represent two-thirds of the world population (Image source: g20.org) (Others)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

At the invitation of each Presidency, international organisations also regularly attend the G20 meetings. These organisations include the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the World Bank (WB), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations (UN). The German G20 Presidency has also invited the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2017.

Spain attends the G-20 Summits as a permanent guest. The Presidency can also invite representatives of regional organisations and guests to the G-20 Summit.&nbsp;

India and G20

India has enacted a number of legislations and taken steps to tackle issues like black money, terror financing and food security which can be traced back to G-20. &nbsp;

For instance, India enacted the&nbsp;National Food Security Act with the objective to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quantity of food at affordable prices to people.&nbsp;

India stands to gain from G-20 knowledge sharing and best practices of improving food security without increasing water consumption to unsustainable levels. The same can then also form part of implementation under the National Water Policy of India.

G-20 has emerged as an important forum where global leaders come together to discuss issues of international significance. At a time, when countries like US are turning inwards and showing signs of protectionism, forums like G-20 have assumed all the more importance to steer the global economic community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

G20 is an international informal forum where India has made the mark of an emerging economy which aspires to take the world along with it towards development

The G-20 (Group of 20) is an international forum which was formed with the purpose of establishing international cooperation on global economic and financial issues. The forum plays an important role in decision making on issues of international relevance. G20 countries account for three-quarters of global trade. The G-20 countries produce more than 80 per cent of the global economic output. Around two-third of the global population lives in G-20 member countries. The G-20 started in 1999 as a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis that sent shockwaves through the global economic community. In 2008, the first G-20 Leaders’ Summit was held, and the group played a key role in responding to the global financial crisis that rattled world markets causing massive financial instabilty and leading to the collapse of financial institutions. Its decisive and coordinated actions boosted consumer and business confidence and supported the global economic recovery. How it works Each year in December a different G-20 member country assumes presidency of the forum. To ensure continuity, the presidency is supported by a “troika” (Trio) made up of the current, immediate past and next host countries. Being an informal group, the group has no permanent secretariat. The G-20 president is responsible for bringing together the G-20 agenda in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy. The summit and the preparatory processes – often including more than 60 ministerial and working group meetings per year – are coordinated by the respective host country. Members of G20 The twenty members of the forum are : Argentina Australia Brazil Canada China France Germany India Indonesia Italy Japan Republic of Korea Mexico Russia Saudi Arabia South Africa Turkey The United Kingdom The united States The European Union The map displays the member countries, which represent two-thirds of the world population (Image source: g20.org) (Others) × At the invitation of each Presidency, international organisations also regularly attend the G20 meetings. These organisations include the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the World Bank (WB), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations (UN). The German G20 Presidency has also invited the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2017. Spain attends the G-20 Summits as a permanent guest. The Presidency can also invite representatives of regional organisations and guests to the G-20 Summit. India and G20 India has enacted a number of legislations and taken steps to tackle issues like black money, terror financing and food security which can be traced back to G-20. For instance, India enacted the National Food Security Act with the objective to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quantity of food at affordable prices to people. India stands to gain from G-20 knowledge sharing and best practices of improving food security without increasing water consumption to unsustainable levels. The same can then also form part of implementation under the National Water Policy of India. G-20 has emerged as an important forum where global leaders come together to discuss issues of international significance. At a time, when countries like US are turning inwards and showing signs of protectionism, forums like G-20 have assumed all the more importance to steer the global economic community.

All you need to know about G-20

Five-times world champions Brazil have returned to what they will consider their rightful place at the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time in seven years.

Indian football team achieved its best-ever FIFA ranking in over two decades as it jumped to 101 in the latest list released.&nbsp;India has jumped 31 places from its last rank of 132nd in the previous month. The Indian team is ranked 11th in Asia.

Brazil has enjoyed an impressive revival since Tite replaced Dunga as their national team coach last year, winning all nine matches they have played under his leadership including eight World Cup qualifiers.

They continued their run in March with a 4-1 win in Uruguay and 3-0 win over Paraguay to become the first side to book their place at next year&#39;s World Cup in Russia with four games to spare.

Brazil, who replaced arch-rivals Argentina at the top, previously led the rankings going into the 2010 World Cup where they were eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Since then, they have suffered a string of embarrassments, with elimination by Paraguay at successive Copa America tournaments in 2011 and 2015 and their infamous 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final.

Argentina lost their place after last week&#39;s 2-0 defeat in Bolivia which has left them struggling to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Four of the top five teams in the rankings announcement by FIFA on Thursday, are from South America. Chile are fourth, Colombia fifth and Germany sandwiched in between in third.

Egypt are Africa&#39;s best-placed team in 19th while Asia&#39;s top side are 28th-placed Iran.

&nbsp;

Top ten rankings--(previous month&#39;s places in brackets)

1. Brazil (2)

2. Argentina (1)

3. Germany (3)

4. Chile (4)

5. Colombia (7)

6. France (6)

7. Belgium (5)

8. Portugal (8)

9. Switzerland (11)

10. Spain (10)

(Reuters)

Egypt are Africa's best-placed team in 19th, while Asia's top side are 28th-placed Iran

Five-times world champions Brazil have returned to what they will consider their rightful place at the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time in seven years. Indian football team achieved its best-ever FIFA ranking in over two decades as it jumped to 101 in the latest list released. India has jumped 31 places from its last rank of 132nd in the previous month. The Indian team is ranked 11th in Asia. Brazil has enjoyed an impressive revival since Tite replaced Dunga as their national team coach last year, winning all nine matches they have played under his leadership including eight World Cup qualifiers. They continued their run in March with a 4-1 win in Uruguay and 3-0 win over Paraguay to become the first side to book their place at next year's World Cup in Russia with four games to spare. Brazil, who replaced arch-rivals Argentina at the top, previously led the rankings going into the 2010 World Cup where they were eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Since then, they have suffered a string of embarrassments, with elimination by Paraguay at successive Copa America tournaments in 2011 and 2015 and their infamous 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final. Argentina lost their place after last week's 2-0 defeat in Bolivia which has left them struggling to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Four of the top five teams in the rankings announcement by FIFA on Thursday, are from South America. Chile are fourth, Colombia fifth and Germany sandwiched in between in third. Egypt are Africa's best-placed team in 19th while Asia's top side are 28th-placed Iran. Top ten rankings--(previous month's places in brackets) 1. Brazil (2) 2. Argentina (1) 3. Germany (3) 4. Chile (4) 5. Colombia (7) 6. France (6) 7. Belgium (5) 8. Portugal (8) 9. Switzerland (11) 10. Spain (10) (Reuters)

Brazil tops FIFA football rankings, India ranked 101

Argentina&#39;s government has asked finance minister Alfonso Prat-Gay to step down, cabinet chief Marcos Pena said on Monday, marking the first major departure in President Mauricio Macri&#39;s Cabinet since he took office a year ago.

As part of the move, the Finance Ministry will be split in two, with the treasury division led by economist Nicolas Dujovne and the finance division led by current finance secretary Luis Caputo, who has reported to Prat-Gay.

Pena said Macri&#39;s decision to ask Prat-Gay to leave had to do with management issues rather than disagreements over economic policy. Macri has sought to close Argentina&#39;s gaping fiscal deficit, but the government has been taking a gradual approach to avoid worsening a deep recession.

&quot;Due to the disagreements that there were at times over the design and functioning of the team, we thought it was best for the team at this stage to make a change,&quot; Pena said at a news conference.

Prat-Gay will remain in place until the end of the week, Pena said, and was flying to the southwestern Argentine city of Villa la Angostura to have lunch with Macri, who is on vacation.

Prat-Gay was instrumental in lifting Argentina&#39;s currency controls and negotiating a deal with holdout creditors over debt that Argentina defaulted on in 2002, two of the centre-right Macri administration&#39;s main achievements after taking office last December, ending more than a decade of populist rule.

Caputo also played a crucial role in the deal with holdouts, which paved the way for Argentina&#39;s return to international credit markets for the first time in more than a decade.

Rumours about Prat-Gay&#39;s future had swirled in recent weeks after an income tax proposal crucial to the government&#39;s deficit reduction targets failed in Congress, forcing the government to renegotiate a new deal with the opposition.

The reshuffle comes less than a week after Isela Costantini resigned as the&nbsp;chief executive officer of state-run airline Aerolineas Argentinas.

(Reuters)

Prat-Gay was instrumental in lifting Argentina's currency controls, and negotiating a deal with holdout creditors over its defaulted debt

Argentina's government has asked finance minister Alfonso Prat-Gay to step down, cabinet chief Marcos Pena said on Monday, marking the first major departure in President Mauricio Macri's Cabinet since he took office a year ago. As part of the move, the Finance Ministry will be split in two, with the treasury division led by economist Nicolas Dujovne and the finance division led by current finance secretary Luis Caputo, who has reported to Prat-Gay. Pena said Macri's decision to ask Prat-Gay to leave had to do with management issues rather than disagreements over economic policy. Macri has sought to close Argentina's gaping fiscal deficit, but the government has been taking a gradual approach to avoid worsening a deep recession. "Due to the disagreements that there were at times over the design and functioning of the team, we thought it was best for the team at this stage to make a change," Pena said at a news conference. Prat-Gay will remain in place until the end of the week, Pena said, and was flying to the southwestern Argentine city of Villa la Angostura to have lunch with Macri, who is on vacation. Prat-Gay was instrumental in lifting Argentina's currency controls and negotiating a deal with holdout creditors over debt that Argentina defaulted on in 2002, two of the centre-right Macri administration's main achievements after taking office last December, ending more than a decade of populist rule. Caputo also played a crucial role in the deal with holdouts, which paved the way for Argentina's return to international credit markets for the first time in more than a decade. Rumours about Prat-Gay's future had swirled in recent weeks after an income tax proposal crucial to the government's deficit reduction targets failed in Congress, forcing the government to renegotiate a new deal with the opposition. The reshuffle comes less than a week after Isela Costantini resigned as the chief executive officer of state-run airline Aerolineas Argentinas. (Reuters)

Argentina's finance minister asked to step down as ministry reorganises

Brazil dealt Argentina&#39;s hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals a serious blow on Thursday with a resounding 3-0 win that dropped the world&#39;s top ranked side into sixth place in the 10-team South American qualifying group.

First half goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar were followed by a third from Paulinho after 58 minutes to sink the Argentines and extend their winless run to four games.

The result means Brazil remain top of the group with 24 points from 11 games.

Argentina are sixth on 16 points, with the top four teams qualifying automatically for the finals in Russia and the fifth-placed side going into a play-off with the Oceania winners.

&quot;Today we imposed ourselves, the fans helped from the first minute and we leave here very happy,&quot; Coutinho said in a pitchside interview.

Argentina&#39;s Lionel Messi, who returned to the side after three games out injured, was anonymous in a match lit up by brilliant moments from the home side.

Brazil took the lead after 24 minutes when Neymar slipped the ball to Philippe Coutinho on the left with the deftest of touches and the Liverpool midfielder hammered an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net.

The Barcelona striker was lucky not to concede a penalty after he handled in the box 12 minutes later but he was always dangerous at the other end and he doubled Brazil&#39;s lead just seconds before half time when he coolly slotted home after taking a defence-splitting pass from Gabriel Jesus.

Paulinho sealed it 13 minutes into the second period when the midfielder charged into the box between defenders and poked home a cross from Renato Augusto.

Brazil were dominant in a rampant second half and could have scored more with Neymar and substitute Robero Firmino both coming close.

In the evening&#39;s other games, Peru got four goals in the second half to beat Paraguay 4-1 away in Asuncion, while Josef Martinez became the first Venezuelan to score a hat trick in World Cup qualifiers in the 5-0 win over Bolivia.

Earlier, Colombia drew 0-0 at home to Chile and stay in third, while Uruguay beat Ecuador 2-1 to remain second, a point behind Brazil.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Argentina are now winless in four games and sixth in the 10-team South American qualifying group

Brazil dealt Argentina's hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals a serious blow on Thursday with a resounding 3-0 win that dropped the world's top ranked side into sixth place in the 10-team South American qualifying group. First half goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar were followed by a third from Paulinho after 58 minutes to sink the Argentines and extend their winless run to four games. The result means Brazil remain top of the group with 24 points from 11 games. Argentina are sixth on 16 points, with the top four teams qualifying automatically for the finals in Russia and the fifth-placed side going into a play-off with the Oceania winners. "Today we imposed ourselves, the fans helped from the first minute and we leave here very happy," Coutinho said in a pitchside interview. Argentina's Lionel Messi, who returned to the side after three games out injured, was anonymous in a match lit up by brilliant moments from the home side. Brazil took the lead after 24 minutes when Neymar slipped the ball to Philippe Coutinho on the left with the deftest of touches and the Liverpool midfielder hammered an unstoppable drive into the top corner of the net. The Barcelona striker was lucky not to concede a penalty after he handled in the box 12 minutes later but he was always dangerous at the other end and he doubled Brazil's lead just seconds before half time when he coolly slotted home after taking a defence-splitting pass from Gabriel Jesus. Paulinho sealed it 13 minutes into the second period when the midfielder charged into the box between defenders and poked home a cross from Renato Augusto. Brazil were dominant in a rampant second half and could have scored more with Neymar and substitute Robero Firmino both coming close. In the evening's other games, Peru got four goals in the second half to beat Paraguay 4-1 away in Asuncion, while Josef Martinez became the first Venezuelan to score a hat trick in World Cup qualifiers in the 5-0 win over Bolivia. Earlier, Colombia drew 0-0 at home to Chile and stay in third, while Uruguay beat Ecuador 2-1 to remain second, a point behind Brazil. (Reuters)

Football: Brazil blitz Argentina 3-0 in World Cup qualifier

Dressed in black, thousands of Argentines took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the brutal rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl, the latest case of violence against women to shock the country.

The protesters,&nbsp;mostly women, but also some men, marched in memory of Lucia Perez, a high school student who died on October 8 after drug dealers allegedly raped her and impaled her on a spike.

&quot;If you touch one of us, we all react,&quot; said signs carried by many of the protesters, who staged an hour-long strike starting at 1&nbsp;pm (1400 GMT).

It was the latest in more than a year of mass marches to protest violence against women in Argentina, where, according to government figures, domestic violence kills one woman every 36 hours.

Perez&#39;s killing was just the latest horrific episode.

Last year in June, protests broke out nationwide over a trio of gruesome killings --&nbsp;a kindergarten teacher whose estranged husband slit her throat in front of her class; a 14-year-old girl whose boyfriend allegedly beat her to death because she got pregnant; and a woman whose ex-boyfriend stabbed her to death in broad daylight at a Buenos Aires cafe.

&quot;The case of Lucia Perez acted as a trigger to demand justice for all women who suffer sexist violence,&quot; said one protester in downtown Buenos Aires, Gabriela Spinelli.

Organisers said the goal was to condemn not only Perez&#39;s killing, but a culture that values women less than men -- which they said can be seen in statistics such as the unemployment and poverty rates.

Brutal rapes are the product of a society where boys are not raised to respect women, said demonstrator Karina Munoz.

&quot;A rapist isn&#39;t a monster. He&#39;s not sick. He&#39;s a healthy child of this system&nbsp;which produces men who don&#39;t respect it when women say no,&quot; she told AFP.

Despite a rainstorm that likely dented turnout in Buenos Aires, demonstrators managed to block off several avenues in the capital, as supporters applauded from office buildings.

In Spain, hundreds of women protested in solidarity in Madrid and Barcelona. Demonstrations were also held in various cities across Latin America, including Lima and Mexico City.

(AFP)

16-year-old Lucia Perez was killed on October 8, allegedly by drug dealers

Dressed in black, thousands of Argentines took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the brutal rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl, the latest case of violence against women to shock the country. The protesters, mostly women, but also some men, marched in memory of Lucia Perez, a high school student who died on October 8 after drug dealers allegedly raped her and impaled her on a spike. "If you touch one of us, we all react," said signs carried by many of the protesters, who staged an hour-long strike starting at 1 pm (1400 GMT). It was the latest in more than a year of mass marches to protest violence against women in Argentina, where, according to government figures, domestic violence kills one woman every 36 hours. Perez's killing was just the latest horrific episode. Last year in June, protests broke out nationwide over a trio of gruesome killings -- a kindergarten teacher whose estranged husband slit her throat in front of her class; a 14-year-old girl whose boyfriend allegedly beat her to death because she got pregnant; and a woman whose ex-boyfriend stabbed her to death in broad daylight at a Buenos Aires cafe. "The case of Lucia Perez acted as a trigger to demand justice for all women who suffer sexist violence," said one protester in downtown Buenos Aires, Gabriela Spinelli. Organisers said the goal was to condemn not only Perez's killing, but a culture that values women less than men -- which they said can be seen in statistics such as the unemployment and poverty rates. Brutal rapes are the product of a society where boys are not raised to respect women, said demonstrator Karina Munoz. "A rapist isn't a monster. He's not sick. He's a healthy child of this system which produces men who don't respect it when women say no," she told AFP. Despite a rainstorm that likely dented turnout in Buenos Aires, demonstrators managed to block off several avenues in the capital, as supporters applauded from office buildings. In Spain, hundreds of women protested in solidarity in Madrid and Barcelona. Demonstrations were also held in various cities across Latin America, including Lima and Mexico City. (AFP)

Raped & impaled, high school student's murder sparks protests in Argentina

Argentina sorely missed its injured captain and star player Lionel Messi as it suffered a humiliating defeat at&nbsp;hands of Paraguay in their World Cup qualifier on home turf.&nbsp;

Paraguay stunned the two-time world champions with a fast break from deep in their own half, Angel Romero playing the ball into the path of Derlis Gonzalez who beat Sergio Romero with a shot inside the near post in the 18th minute.&nbsp;

Argentina missed an opportunity just two minutes into the second half to get back on level, but Paraguay captain Justo Villar saved Sergio Aguero&#39;s weak penalty.

The defeat left the side five points behind new leaders Brazil in the South American group, who won 2-0 in Venezuela. The Argentine side will be desperate to have Messi back in shape for their next qualifier away to Brazil in Belo Horizonte on November 10.

Brazil leads the standings with 21 points from 10 matches, Uruguay is second with 20 points while Ecuador and Colombia are third and fourth respectively with 17 points apiece.&nbsp;

Brazil&#39;s striker Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring at Estadio Metropolitano in Merida on Tuesday by chipping over goalkeeper Hernandez Santos after some poor defending by Venezuela. Willian later made it 2-0 just after halftime with a slick first-time finish following a Renato Augusto cross.

The top four will go through to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, while the fifth-placed side go into an intercontinental playoff for another berth. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Lacking inspiration from captain Lionel Messi, Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Paraguay

Argentina sorely missed its injured captain and star player Lionel Messi as it suffered a humiliating defeat at hands of Paraguay in their World Cup qualifier on home turf. Paraguay stunned the two-time world champions with a fast break from deep in their own half, Angel Romero playing the ball into the path of Derlis Gonzalez who beat Sergio Romero with a shot inside the near post in the 18th minute. Argentina missed an opportunity just two minutes into the second half to get back on level, but Paraguay captain Justo Villar saved Sergio Aguero's weak penalty. The defeat left the side five points behind new leaders Brazil in the South American group, who won 2-0 in Venezuela. The Argentine side will be desperate to have Messi back in shape for their next qualifier away to Brazil in Belo Horizonte on November 10. Brazil leads the standings with 21 points from 10 matches, Uruguay is second with 20 points while Ecuador and Colombia are third and fourth respectively with 17 points apiece. Brazil's striker Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring at Estadio Metropolitano in Merida on Tuesday by chipping over goalkeeper Hernandez Santos after some poor defending by Venezuela. Willian later made it 2-0 just after halftime with a slick first-time finish following a Renato Augusto cross. The top four will go through to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, while the fifth-placed side go into an intercontinental playoff for another berth. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Argentina suffers defeat in WC qualifiers, Brazil tops South American group

The World Trade Organization confirmed on appeal Thursday its ruling partially in favour of Argentina in its dispute with the European Union over duties the bloc imposes on imported biodiesel.

Argentina, the world&#39;s top producer of biodiesel, which it makes from soybean oil, in 2013 challenged before the world trade court tariffs that the EU imposed to guard against &quot;dumping&quot; of fuel at cut-rate prices.

In April, the WTO found fault with the EU&#39;s calculation of production costs in Argentina, but also rejected some claims of mistreatment levelled by Buenos Aires.

Both sides appealed the ruling, but the WTO&#39;s appellate body let it stand.

Once the ruling becomes official in 30 days, the EU will have to inform the WTO how it plans to bring its measures into line.

The EU had argued that domestic tax breaks allowed Argentinian producers to sell biodiesel at artificially low prices, which it said put European producers at an unfair disadvantage.&nbsp;

The EU responded by hitting Argentinian biodiesel with a 24.6 percent tax, which had been due to remain in place for five years.&nbsp;

(AFP)

In April, the WTO had found fault with the EU's calculation of production costs in Argentina

The World Trade Organization confirmed on appeal Thursday its ruling partially in favour of Argentina in its dispute with the European Union over duties the bloc imposes on imported biodiesel. Argentina, the world's top producer of biodiesel, which it makes from soybean oil, in 2013 challenged before the world trade court tariffs that the EU imposed to guard against "dumping" of fuel at cut-rate prices. In April, the WTO found fault with the EU's calculation of production costs in Argentina, but also rejected some claims of mistreatment levelled by Buenos Aires. Both sides appealed the ruling, but the WTO's appellate body let it stand. Once the ruling becomes official in 30 days, the EU will have to inform the WTO how it plans to bring its measures into line. The EU had argued that domestic tax breaks allowed Argentinian producers to sell biodiesel at artificially low prices, which it said put European producers at an unfair disadvantage. The EU responded by hitting Argentinian biodiesel with a 24.6 percent tax, which had been due to remain in place for five years. (AFP)

WTO confirms ruling in EU-Argentina biodiesel case

Argentina&#39;s ministry of finance has said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists will be arriving in the country on Monday to &quot;gather information and exchange opinions with government officials, members of the private sector and members of Congress and civil organisations.&quot; 
 
IMF will resume its Article IV missions in Argentina after a 10-year hiatus. During this mission, IMF is likely to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the country, AFP reported today.&nbsp; 
 
The checkups were stopped during former president Nestor Kirchner&#39;s tenure.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Article IV represents a new step for Argentina in its international reintegration,&quot; said the ministry. 
 
Relations were strained after the country&#39;s default on $100 billion in debt in 2001, but ties were further affected when IMF censured Buenos Aires in 2013 for not meeting an IMF requirement that members must provide reliable, basic economic statistics. 
 
The move marks a repairing of relations, brought by economic policy changes of President Mauricio Macri, who moved to repay defaulted debt and implement market-friendly reforms. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP) 
 
 
&nbsp;

According to Argentina's ministry of finance, Article IV represents a new step for the country in its international reintegration

Argentina's ministry of finance has said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists will be arriving in the country on Monday to "gather information and exchange opinions with government officials, members of the private sector and members of Congress and civil organisations." IMF will resume its Article IV missions in Argentina after a 10-year hiatus. During this mission, IMF is likely to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the country, AFP reported today. The checkups were stopped during former president Nestor Kirchner's tenure. "Article IV represents a new step for Argentina in its international reintegration," said the ministry. Relations were strained after the country's default on $100 billion in debt in 2001, but ties were further affected when IMF censured Buenos Aires in 2013 for not meeting an IMF requirement that members must provide reliable, basic economic statistics. The move marks a repairing of relations, brought by economic policy changes of President Mauricio Macri, who moved to repay defaulted debt and implement market-friendly reforms. (WION with inputs from AFP)

IMF to resume Article IV missions in Argentina after 10-year hiatus

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Argentina and other large&nbsp;nations&nbsp;to&nbsp;ratify&nbsp;the&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;climate&nbsp;accord&nbsp;at a Buenos Aires conference on Monday, and Argentina&#39;s foreign minister said she hoped the country would do so by the end of the year. 
 
In December 2015, some 195 countries reached an agreement in&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;that obligates states to take concrete measures to curb emissions that contribute to&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change. But the pact will not go into force&nbsp;until it is ratified by 55 countries representing 55 per cent of global greenhouse emissions. 
 
As of now, only 22 countries have done so, many of them small, vulnerable island&nbsp;nations&nbsp;that account for a negligible percentage of emissions. 
 
Ban urged China and the&nbsp;United States, the world&#39;s top two greenhouse gas emitters, to&nbsp;ratify the deal, and also pushed Argentina, Latin America&#39;s third&nbsp;largest economy, to do the same. 
 
&quot;When we add up the two countries&nbsp;greenhouse gas emissions, it comes to almost 40 per cent&quot; of global emissions, Ban said of the&nbsp;United States and China. 
 
&quot;So 55 per cent may not be difficult to achieve, and I urge Argentina to&nbsp;ratify&nbsp;as soon as possible.&quot; 
 
In response, Argentina&#39;s foreign minister, Susana Malcorra, who is running to replace Ban as UN&nbsp;secretary-general, said the&nbsp;accord&nbsp;has already been approved by one chamber of Congress and she hopes Argentina will have it ratified by the next major UN&nbsp;climate&nbsp;summit in December. 
 
At the event in Buenos Aires, Ban also thanked Argentina for a recent commitment to take in 3,000 refugees from various war-torn locations. 
 
&quot;This kind of solidarity, sign of humanity, should be emulated by many people around the world,&quot; Ban said. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Paris accord that obligates states to take concrete measures to curb emissions will not go in force unless ratified by 55 nations

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Argentina and other large nations to ratify the Paris climate accord at a Buenos Aires conference on Monday, and Argentina's foreign minister said she hoped the country would do so by the end of the year. In December 2015, some 195 countries reached an agreement in Paris that obligates states to take concrete measures to curb emissions that contribute to climate change. But the pact will not go into force until it is ratified by 55 countries representing 55 per cent of global greenhouse emissions. As of now, only 22 countries have done so, many of them small, vulnerable island nations that account for a negligible percentage of emissions. Ban urged China and the United States, the world's top two greenhouse gas emitters, to ratify the deal, and also pushed Argentina, Latin America's third largest economy, to do the same. "When we add up the two countries greenhouse gas emissions, it comes to almost 40 per cent" of global emissions, Ban said of the United States and China. "So 55 per cent may not be difficult to achieve, and I urge Argentina to ratify as soon as possible." In response, Argentina's foreign minister, Susana Malcorra, who is running to replace Ban as UN secretary-general, said the accord has already been approved by one chamber of Congress and she hopes Argentina will have it ratified by the next major UN climate summit in December. At the event in Buenos Aires, Ban also thanked Argentina for a recent commitment to take in 3,000 refugees from various war-torn locations. "This kind of solidarity, sign of humanity, should be emulated by many people around the world," Ban said. (Reuters)

UN chief presses large nations to ratify Paris climate accord at earliest

Messi has won pretty much everything, apart from a major tournament title with Argentina. That could change early tomorrow at the Copa final

Lionel Messi will bid to gild his legacy as the greatest footballer of his generation here Sunday by ending Argentina's 23-year wait for a major title in a dream final against holders Chile in the Copa America Centenario. For Messi's many millions of admirers, the five-time world footballer of the year has already achieved enough in his glittering career to be considered in the same bracket as Pele and Diego Maradona. Yet the only hole in the Barcelona superstar's CV -- a major tournament title with Argentina -- is invariably, and somewhat unfairly, cited as a justification to delay his elevation to football's pantheon. That could all change on Sunday before a sell-out crowd of 81,000 at East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium, the home of the NFL's New York Giants, when Argentina face the Chileans in a rematch of last year's Copa America final. It is the third final in as many years for Messi and his teammates, who suffered agonizing defeats in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and to the Chileans on penalties in Santiago last year. On each occasion, Messi has borne the brunt of the backlash from critics in Argentina who trot out a familiar laundry list of grievances. He has no passion. He doesn't sing the anthem. He doesn't "feel" the shirt. Barely a ball had been kicked in this Copa America before Maradona, a regular sniper, accused him of lacking "personality" and "leadership." Maradona amped up the rhetoric this week shortly after Argentina booked their place in the final with a 4-0 demolition of the United States. "We will certainly win on Sunday... and if we don't win, they shouldn't come back," Maradona told an Argentinian television network. Messi is not above being angered by the criticism. "I get annoyed by the people who attack you without thinking," he said in a recent interview. "We got to two finals. We didn't win. What can you do? But we got to the final. It's not like we lost in the last 16." So far in the United States, Messi has shown no sign of being overburdened by the pressure to end Argentina's wait for a title. After missing Argentina's opening group match, a 2-1 win over Sunday's opponents Chile,,he scored an electrifying 19-minute hat-trick against Panama after coming on as a substitute before going on to equal Gabriel Batistuta's Argentina goals record in the 4-1 quarter-final win over Venezuela. Against the US on Tuesday, he scored a magnificent curling free kick to become his country's leading international goalscorer with 55, while setting up two more goals in a magical all-round display. He even found the time to sign the shirt of an autograph-hunting fan who sprinted onto the pitch at the start of the second half. His smiling, laidback demeanor however masks a fierce determination to lift the title, revealing that Argentina have become a more formidable unit since suffering the pain of multiple final defeats. "It's been almost a year since the last Copa America, and I think that made us stronger as a group, and as a team," Messi said. "We grew a lot, in a lot of ways, and above all, even though we didn't win, it helped us." Yet while Argentinian fans and many neutrals will be willing Messi to victory, Chile have shown that they are more than capable of pulling off another ambush. Since the opening loss to Argentina on June 6, the Chileans have improved with each game to compile their best run of results since Juan Antonio Pizzi replaced Jorge Sampaoli as manager in January. They humiliated Mexico with a 7-0 thrashing in the quarter-finals and polished off Colombia 2-0 in the semi-finals. "They attack and defend with great intensity, and if you make a mistake they can punish you," Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said after the semi-final loss. A dynamic, combative midfield led by Bayern Munich star Arturo Vidal will ensure that Argentina's skilled attackers such as Messi, Nicolas Gaitan and Ever Banega have nothing like the freedom to operate they have enjoyed so far. And Chile's razor sharp attack, which features tournament top scorer Eduardo Vargas (six goals) and Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez, should also pose more questions than Argentina's back four has been required to answer en route to the final. (AFP)

The final frontier

Chile upset favourites Argentina with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to retain their title in the world`s oldest continental soccer competition. 
 
Chile earned themselves bragging rights as South America`s dominant team as they beat heavyweights Argentina 4-2 on penalties for a second straight year. 
 
Lionel Messi missed from the spot in the shootout, cutting a dejected figure after the result was sealed and Argentina`s trophy drought had been extended to 23 years. 
 
&quot;We are an historic group and we proved that today,&quot; Chilean striker Eduardo Vargas told TV cameras after the game. 
 
The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and also after another half an hour of extra time in a match where both teams were reduced to 10 men in the first half. 
 
Chilean substitute Francisco Silva placed his penalty low and to the right of Sergio Romero to score the decider after Messi and Lucas Biglia missed for Argentina and Arturo Vidal missed for Chile. 
 
The win was the second Copa America in a row for Chile, who won their first Copa title at home last year in exactly the same fashion, beating Argentina on penalties after the teams had drawn 0-0 after extra time. 
 
The excitement of the penalty finish barely made up for a disappointing game in which both teams failed to provide many memorable moments for the announced sellout 82,000 crowd in New Jersey. 
 
The bulk of first half action involved referee Heber Lopes in an overly physical encounter. 
 
The Brazilian sent off Marcelo Diaz on 27 minutes for a second crude challenge on Messi, and then he levelled the sides 15 minutes later when he showed Marcos Rojo a straight red for a harsh tackle on Vidal. 
 
Three others were booked, including Messi for diving inside the box, in a first half that had as many cards as shots on goal. 
 
The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who have never beaten Argentina in open play in 26 previous Copa America encounters, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither side created any clear cut chances. 
 
The 30 minutes of extra time was more of the same, although Vargas came close for Chile and substitute Sergio Aguero had a nice header tipped over by Claudio Bravo. 
 
The Centenary Copa America was played in the United States for the first time this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural Copa America in 1916. 
 
The tournament was expanded to 16 teams, 10 from South America and six from the CONCACAF region of North and central America and the Caribbean. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
(Reuters)

Win on penalties. Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the first half

Chile upset favourites Argentina with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to retain their title in the world`s oldest continental soccer competition. Chile earned themselves bragging rights as South America`s dominant team as they beat heavyweights Argentina 4-2 on penalties for a second straight year. Lionel Messi missed from the spot in the shootout, cutting a dejected figure after the result was sealed and Argentina`s trophy drought had been extended to 23 years. "We are an historic group and we proved that today," Chilean striker Eduardo Vargas told TV cameras after the game. The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and also after another half an hour of extra time in a match where both teams were reduced to 10 men in the first half. Chilean substitute Francisco Silva placed his penalty low and to the right of Sergio Romero to score the decider after Messi and Lucas Biglia missed for Argentina and Arturo Vidal missed for Chile. The win was the second Copa America in a row for Chile, who won their first Copa title at home last year in exactly the same fashion, beating Argentina on penalties after the teams had drawn 0-0 after extra time. The excitement of the penalty finish barely made up for a disappointing game in which both teams failed to provide many memorable moments for the announced sellout 82,000 crowd in New Jersey. The bulk of first half action involved referee Heber Lopes in an overly physical encounter. The Brazilian sent off Marcelo Diaz on 27 minutes for a second crude challenge on Messi, and then he levelled the sides 15 minutes later when he showed Marcos Rojo a straight red for a harsh tackle on Vidal. Three others were booked, including Messi for diving inside the box, in a first half that had as many cards as shots on goal. The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who have never beaten Argentina in open play in 26 previous Copa America encounters, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither side created any clear cut chances. The 30 minutes of extra time was more of the same, although Vargas came close for Chile and substitute Sergio Aguero had a nice header tipped over by Claudio Bravo. The Centenary Copa America was played in the United States for the first time this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural Copa America in 1916. The tournament was expanded to 16 teams, 10 from South America and six from the CONCACAF region of North and central America and the Caribbean. (Reuters) (Reuters)

Chile upset favourites Argentina, keep the Copa

Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a hat-trick in just 18 minutes on Friday as Argentina hammered Panama 5-0 and eased into the quarter-finals of the Copa America. 
 
Argentina were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi goal after just six minutes. 
 
Panama lost Anibal Godoy to a red card after half an hour but the Central Americans held on until Messi, who missed Argentina&#39;s opening win against Chile with a sore back, replaced Augusto Fernandez after 61 minutes. 
 
The Barcelona forward started gingerly but grabbed Argentina&#39;s second in the 68th minute by steering home a left foot shot after a rebound fell to him in the Panama box. 
 
He scored a gorgeous second with a 25-yard free kick just nine minutes later and then with some fancy footwork in the box gave himself enough space to slot home his third and Argentina&#39;s fourth in the 86th minute. 
 
Sergio Aguero, another substitute, made it 5-0 with a header in the final moments. 
 
&quot;My back was a bit painful at the start but it went away,&quot; said Messi, who was cheered every time he touched the ball by the 53,000 crowd in Chicago. 
 
&quot;I think we are where we want to be, which is getting better,&quot; he told reporters after the game. 
 
The result came after Chile had beaten Bolivia in the other Group D game. Argentina have six points from two games, while Bolivia have none and are out. 
 
Chile and Panama both have three and will face off on Tuesday to decide who join Argentina in the quarter-finals. 
 
Goals in the first and last minutes of the second half from Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal were enough to help the reigning champions overcome Bolivia in Boston. 
 
Chile had 75 per cent of the possession and 18 shots at goal to Bolivia&#39;s three and were far superior against the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. 
 
Vidal put the Chileans ahead in the 46th minute but substitute Jhasmani Campos got an equaliser for Bolivia on the hour mark with a superb free kick. 
 
Vidal then took advantage of a controversial penalty decision for handball to score the winner in the dying seconds.

Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a hat-trick in just 18 minutes on Friday as Argentina hammered Panama 5-0 and eased into the quarter-finals of the Copa America. Argentina were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi goal after just six minutes. Panama lost Anibal Godoy to a red card after half an hour but the Central Americans held on until Messi, who missed Argentina's opening win against Chile with a sore back, replaced Augusto Fernandez after 61 minutes. The Barcelona forward started gingerly but grabbed Argentina's second in the 68th minute by steering home a left foot shot after a rebound fell to him in the Panama box. He scored a gorgeous second with a 25-yard free kick just nine minutes later and then with some fancy footwork in the box gave himself enough space to slot home his third and Argentina's fourth in the 86th minute. Sergio Aguero, another substitute, made it 5-0 with a header in the final moments. "My back was a bit painful at the start but it went away," said Messi, who was cheered every time he touched the ball by the 53,000 crowd in Chicago. "I think we are where we want to be, which is getting better," he told reporters after the game. The result came after Chile had beaten Bolivia in the other Group D game. Argentina have six points from two games, while Bolivia have none and are out. Chile and Panama both have three and will face off on Tuesday to decide who join Argentina in the quarter-finals. Goals in the first and last minutes of the second half from Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal were enough to help the reigning champions overcome Bolivia in Boston. Chile had 75 per cent of the possession and 18 shots at goal to Bolivia's three and were far superior against the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. Vidal put the Chileans ahead in the 46th minute but substitute Jhasmani Campos got an equaliser for Bolivia on the hour mark with a superb free kick. Vidal then took advantage of a controversial penalty decision for handball to score the winner in the dying seconds.

Messi's hat-trick sends Argentina through to Copa quarters

A statue of Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi was unveiled in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, just days after the Barcelona forward announced he was walking away from international play. 
 
The statue was uncovered by Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, who said the inauguration of the statue was just on time to call on Messi to reconsider his decision to leave the national team. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a very opportune moment we have today with the inauguration of his statue. And I think a good way to ask Lio to come with us, for him to remain together with us and for him to take us by the hand and to win, and I don&#39;t have any doubts that we&#39;d win the World Cup in Russia, is for those who can, Portenos or Argentines who come here to visit; to come, take your picture with the statue of Lio and post it on social media as a way to ask Lio to stick with us,&quot; Rodriguez Larreta said. 
 
Argentina&#39;s failure to defeat Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario in the United States, a fourth lost final with the national team for Messi, proved too much for the little magician, leading him to quit international football on June 26. 
 
Taking into account the Confederations Cup, Argentina have lost seven major finals since 1995, three of them to arch-rivals Brazil, and four since Messi&#39;s debut in 2005, including the 2014 World Cup final defeat by Germany. 
 
Members from Argentina&#39;s 1986 World Cup championship team also weighed in on Messi&#39;s departure. 
 
&quot;I think it is just a hot moment, of frustration for not being able to achieve anything, but hopefully, God willing, he will reevaluate what he said and remain on the national team,&quot; said Hector Enrique of the 1986 squad. 
 
&quot;There&#39;s nothing to say to Messi. He just needs to talk with himself and his family,&quot; said Carlos Bilbardo who led the 1986 team as coach. 
 
&quot;Messi&#39;s retirement is due to the difficult moment he is going through. It is definitely his toughest moment as far as soccer goes, but I don&#39;t think this is the end. He will analyse it, evaluate it, and Messi is going to continue to play with the Argentine national team. Maybe that&#39;s just what I think. We&#39;ll have to see how he feels,&quot; added Luis Islas who was a substitute goalkeeper for the 1986 side. 
 
Messi&#39;s only major international honour has been Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, even though at club level he has won four Champions Leagues with Spain&#39;s Barcelona. 
 
Messi has been named World Player of the year five times and he surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina&#39;s top scorer in the Copa America semi-final against the United States. 
 
The statue, made of polyester resin and reinforced fibreglass built around a medal interior, was designed by realist sculptor Carlos Benavidez. 
 
The statue stands at Buenos Aires&#39; Paseo de la Gloria &quot;Glory Way&quot; which honours national sports heroes in the city&#39;s Costanera Sur Park near the Puerto Madero neighbourhood. 
 
(Reuters)

Lionel Messi statue stands at Buenos Aires' 'Glory Way', in a city park honouring national sports heroes

A statue of Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi was unveiled in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, just days after the Barcelona forward announced he was walking away from international play. The statue was uncovered by Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, who said the inauguration of the statue was just on time to call on Messi to reconsider his decision to leave the national team. "It's a very opportune moment we have today with the inauguration of his statue. And I think a good way to ask Lio to come with us, for him to remain together with us and for him to take us by the hand and to win, and I don't have any doubts that we'd win the World Cup in Russia, is for those who can, Portenos or Argentines who come here to visit; to come, take your picture with the statue of Lio and post it on social media as a way to ask Lio to stick with us," Rodriguez Larreta said. Argentina's failure to defeat Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario in the United States, a fourth lost final with the national team for Messi, proved too much for the little magician, leading him to quit international football on June 26. Taking into account the Confederations Cup, Argentina have lost seven major finals since 1995, three of them to arch-rivals Brazil, and four since Messi's debut in 2005, including the 2014 World Cup final defeat by Germany. Members from Argentina's 1986 World Cup championship team also weighed in on Messi's departure. "I think it is just a hot moment, of frustration for not being able to achieve anything, but hopefully, God willing, he will reevaluate what he said and remain on the national team," said Hector Enrique of the 1986 squad. "There's nothing to say to Messi. He just needs to talk with himself and his family," said Carlos Bilbardo who led the 1986 team as coach. "Messi's retirement is due to the difficult moment he is going through. It is definitely his toughest moment as far as soccer goes, but I don't think this is the end. He will analyse it, evaluate it, and Messi is going to continue to play with the Argentine national team. Maybe that's just what I think. We'll have to see how he feels," added Luis Islas who was a substitute goalkeeper for the 1986 side. Messi's only major international honour has been Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, even though at club level he has won four Champions Leagues with Spain's Barcelona. Messi has been named World Player of the year five times and he surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's top scorer in the Copa America semi-final against the United States. The statue, made of polyester resin and reinforced fibreglass built around a medal interior, was designed by realist sculptor Carlos Benavidez. The statue stands at Buenos Aires' Paseo de la Gloria "Glory Way" which honours national sports heroes in the city's Costanera Sur Park near the Puerto Madero neighbourhood. (Reuters)

Argentina inaugurates Messi statue days after legend announces retirement from international play

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