World Cup debutants Curacao have parted company with head coach Fred Rutten just one month before the tournament kicks off, the federation confirmed on Monday. Curacao, who are the smallest nation by population ever to compete at the World Cup, appointed Rutten in February after predecessor Dick Advocaat stepped down for personal reasons. However a statement from Curacao Football Federation (FFK) posted on Instagram said Dutchmen Rutten, 63, had resigned following "contstructive discussions" amongst federation leaders.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-world-cup-will-personally-bring-hot-dog-coke-fifa-chief-infantino-on-2-3-million-reselling-price-of-final-s-tickets-1778136235002">FIFA chief Infantino defends high prices of football World Cup tickets</a>The statement did not give specific reasons for Rutten's departure, with the coach quoted as saying he had resigned to protect stability in the national team set-up."There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships within the team or staff," Rutten said."That is why stepping down is the right decision. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward. I regret how things unfolded, but I wish everyone the best."Under Rutten, Curacao suffered two comprehensive friendly defeats in March, losing 5-1 to fellow World Cup qualifiers Australia and 2-0 to China.There was no immediate word on who would now replace Rutten as coach for the World Cup, where the tiny former Dutch colony has been drawn in a daunting Group E against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.The federation said it would "decide on next steps" later Monday."The federation's focus is now on maintaining calm around the national team and continuing to build toward Curacao's sporting ambitions," the statement said.The federation said a press conference had been scheduled for Tuesday which would provide "further explanation regarding developments" following Rutten's appointment in February leading to his departure three months later.

A statement from Curacao Football Federation (FFK) posted on Instagram said Dutchmen Rutten, 63, had resigned following "contstructive discussions" amongst federation leaders.

World Cup debutants Curacao have parted company with head coach Fred Rutten just one month before the tournament kicks off, the federation confirmed on Monday. Curacao, who are the smallest nation by population ever to compete at the World Cup, appointed Rutten in February after predecessor Dick Advocaat stepped down for personal reasons. However a statement from Curacao Football Federation (FFK) posted on Instagram said Dutchmen Rutten, 63, had resigned following "contstructive discussions" amongst federation leaders. Also Read - FIFA chief Infantino defends high prices of football World Cup tickets The statement did not give specific reasons for Rutten's departure, with the coach quoted as saying he had resigned to protect stability in the national team set-up. "There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships within the team or staff," Rutten said. "That is why stepping down is the right decision. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward. I regret how things unfolded, but I wish everyone the best." Under Rutten, Curacao suffered two comprehensive friendly defeats in March, losing 5-1 to fellow World Cup qualifiers Australia and 2-0 to China. There was no immediate word on who would now replace Rutten as coach for the World Cup, where the tiny former Dutch colony has been drawn in a daunting Group E against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. The federation said it would "decide on next steps" later Monday. "The federation's focus is now on maintaining calm around the national team and continuing to build toward Curacao's sporting ambitions," the statement said. The federation said a press conference had been scheduled for Tuesday which would provide "further explanation regarding developments" following Rutten's appointment in February leading to his departure three months later.

A statement from Curacao Football Federation (FFK) posted on Instagram said Dutchmen Rutten, 63, had resigned following "contstructive discussions" amongst federation leaders.

FIFA World Cup 2026 | Curacao coach Fred Rutten resigns a month before tournament kickoff

Argentina captain Lionel Messi on Tuesday scored his 100th international goal for the reigning world champions as they romped to a 7-0 friendly win over outclassed Curacao.

Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi opened the scoring against the Caribbean island minnows on 20 minutes in Santiago del Estero.

It came 17 years after he opened his Argentina account in a 3-2 defeat to Croatia in March 2006.

The 35-year-old soon added another just after the half-hour mark to make it 3-0, and then completed his hat-trick on 37 minutes with the fifth as Argentina toyed with their overmatched opponents.

It was his seventh hat-trick for the national team.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lionel-messis-statue-to-be-along-side-legendary-duo-pele-and-diego-maradona-in-conmebol-museum-576549">Lionel Messi's statue to be along side legendary duo Pele and Diego Maradona in CONMEBOL museum</a>

"You cannot describe Messi in words," said fellow goalscorer Nicolas Gonzalez.

"He's the best in the world and he shows it match after match, day after day. Every time he touches the ball, he makes you smile."

Messi came into the game not just as his country's all-time record goalscorer, but with more goals than the next two top marksmen -- Gabriel Batistuta on 56 and Sergio Aguero with 41 -- put together.

This was Argentina's second match since winning the World Cup in dramatic style against France in Qatar in December -- triumphing 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw -- and it was always going to be about Messi reaching 100 goals.

Now with 102, he remains third in the all-time list, behind great rival Cristiano Ronaldo (122) of Portugal and Iran's Ali Daei (109).

<h2>'Straight to the museum'</h2>

Messi had come up short on Thursday last week when he notched his 99th goal for the Albiceleste as Argentina toiled in their homecoming celebration match against Panama.

The Central Americans had held out until the 78th minute before 21-year-old MLS sensation Thiago Almada broke their resistence.

Messi then scored direct from a free-kick a minute from time -- his 800th goal in professional football -- in front of 83,000 delirious fans in Buenos Aires.

Curacao, ranked 86th by world governing body FIFA, could only hold out for 20 minutes before Messi took a pass from Giovanni Lo Ceslo, cut inside his marker onto his weaker right foot and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

The referee was then seen on live television throwing the ball to someone on the side of the pitch as DirecTV commentators speculated that it was heading "straight to the museum."&nbsp;

Three minutes later Gonzalez outjumped goalkeeper Eloy Room to head home from four yards.

Gonzalez turned provider as Messi scored the first of three goals in four minutes, this time with his left foot.

He then laid off the ball for Enzo Fernandez to make it four with a shot from distance before Lo Celso released Messi behind the defense to notch his treble.

Argentina took their foot off the gas in the second half, with only a generously-awarded Angel Di Maria penalty and close-range finish from Gonzalo Montiel adding to the score.

But the 42,000 fans present remained in party mood throughout, waiting for their heroes to lift the World Cup trophy in front of them.

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Argentina captain Lionel Messi on Tuesday scored his 100th international goal for the reigning world champions as they romped to a 7-0 friendly win over outclassed Curacao.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi on Tuesday scored his 100th international goal for the reigning world champions as they romped to a 7-0 friendly win over outclassed Curacao. Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi opened the scoring against the Caribbean island minnows on 20 minutes in Santiago del Estero. It came 17 years after he opened his Argentina account in a 3-2 defeat to Croatia in March 2006. The 35-year-old soon added another just after the half-hour mark to make it 3-0, and then completed his hat-trick on 37 minutes with the fifth as Argentina toyed with their overmatched opponents. It was his seventh hat-trick for the national team. Also Read: Lionel Messi's statue to be along side legendary duo Pele and Diego Maradona in CONMEBOL museum "You cannot describe Messi in words," said fellow goalscorer Nicolas Gonzalez. "He's the best in the world and he shows it match after match, day after day. Every time he touches the ball, he makes you smile." Messi came into the game not just as his country's all-time record goalscorer, but with more goals than the next two top marksmen -- Gabriel Batistuta on 56 and Sergio Aguero with 41 -- put together. This was Argentina's second match since winning the World Cup in dramatic style against France in Qatar in December -- triumphing 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw -- and it was always going to be about Messi reaching 100 goals. Now with 102, he remains third in the all-time list, behind great rival Cristiano Ronaldo (122) of Portugal and Iran's Ali Daei (109). 'Straight to the museum' Messi had come up short on Thursday last week when he notched his 99th goal for the Albiceleste as Argentina toiled in their homecoming celebration match against Panama. The Central Americans had held out until the 78th minute before 21-year-old MLS sensation Thiago Almada broke their resistence. Messi then scored direct from a free-kick a minute from time -- his 800th goal in professional football -- in front of 83,000 delirious fans in Buenos Aires. Curacao, ranked 86th by world governing body FIFA, could only hold out for 20 minutes before Messi took a pass from Giovanni Lo Ceslo, cut inside his marker onto his weaker right foot and fired a low shot into the bottom corner. The referee was then seen on live television throwing the ball to someone on the side of the pitch as DirecTV commentators speculated that it was heading "straight to the museum." Three minutes later Gonzalez outjumped goalkeeper Eloy Room to head home from four yards. Gonzalez turned provider as Messi scored the first of three goals in four minutes, this time with his left foot. He then laid off the ball for Enzo Fernandez to make it four with a shot from distance before Lo Celso released Messi behind the defense to notch his treble. Argentina took their foot off the gas in the second half, with only a generously-awarded Angel Di Maria penalty and close-range finish from Gonzalo Montiel adding to the score. But the 42,000 fans present remained in party mood throughout, waiting for their heroes to lift the World Cup trophy in front of them. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Lionel Messi scores 100th international goal in 7-0 rout of Curacao

It's another day and another landmark for Lionel Messi. The Argentina captain scored a hat-trick and surpassed the 100-goal landmark for his country as Argentina crushed Curacao.

MESSI MAKES HISTORY: Scores 100th goal for Argentina as they crush Curacao in World Cup Qualifier

A boat carrying aid from the United States docked at the island of Curacao on Sunday after officials said the Venezuelan military had stopped it reaching the crisis-hit country.

The shipment was part of a broader drive to take food and medicine into Venezuela in defiance of its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-confident-maduros-days-are-numbered-in-venezuela-199411">President Nicolas Maduro</a>.

The Midnight Stone supply ship, loaded with nine cargo containers, entered the harbour on the Caribbean island 65 kilometres&nbsp;from Venezuela's coast, AFP reporters saw.

Supporters of Venezuela's self-declared president Juan Guaido said it had sailed from Puerto Rico on Wednesday bound for Venezuela with 250 tons of aid.

Puerto Rico's governor Ricardo Rossello on Saturday said a Venezuelan navy vessel had threatened to fire at the boat as it approached Venezuela.

He said he had ordered the aid vessel to "leave the area temporarily." The sea shipments coincided with opposition efforts to truck aid into Venezuela by land.

Those bids led to bloody confrontations at the borders with Colombia and Brazil on Saturday. Maduro has branded Guaido's aid effort a "show" and a smokescreen for a US invasion.

He has ordered Venezuela's sea border with Curacao to be closed. The opposition and foreign powers backing Guaido say Maduro must let aid into Venezuela to relieve people suffering from shortages caused by an economic crisis.

Maduro blames US policies and sanctions for Venezuela's economic woes. Venezuelans in Curacao have also loaded a further 50 tons of aid onto a separate ship there, the Seven Seas.

Its captain told AFP on Sunday he would not sail for Venezuela with the shipment until authorities there opened the border.

A boat carrying aid from the United States docked at the island of Curacao on Sunday after officials said the Venezuelan military had stopped it reaching the crisis-hit country.

A boat carrying aid from the United States docked at the island of Curacao on Sunday after officials said the Venezuelan military had stopped it reaching the crisis-hit country. The shipment was part of a broader drive to take food and medicine into Venezuela in defiance of its President Nicolas Maduro. The Midnight Stone supply ship, loaded with nine cargo containers, entered the harbour on the Caribbean island 65 kilometres from Venezuela's coast, AFP reporters saw. Supporters of Venezuela's self-declared president Juan Guaido said it had sailed from Puerto Rico on Wednesday bound for Venezuela with 250 tons of aid. Puerto Rico's governor Ricardo Rossello on Saturday said a Venezuelan navy vessel had threatened to fire at the boat as it approached Venezuela. He said he had ordered the aid vessel to "leave the area temporarily." The sea shipments coincided with opposition efforts to truck aid into Venezuela by land. Those bids led to bloody confrontations at the borders with Colombia and Brazil on Saturday. Maduro has branded Guaido's aid effort a "show" and a smokescreen for a US invasion. He has ordered Venezuela's sea border with Curacao to be closed. The opposition and foreign powers backing Guaido say Maduro must let aid into Venezuela to relieve people suffering from shortages caused by an economic crisis. Maduro blames US policies and sanctions for Venezuela's economic woes. Venezuelans in Curacao have also loaded a further 50 tons of aid onto a separate ship there, the Seven Seas. Its captain told AFP on Sunday he would not sail for Venezuela with the shipment until authorities there opened the border.

Venezuela aid boat reaches Curacao after reported standoff

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