Messi mania grips Argentina in 1st match as World Cup champs
March 24, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Messi mania gripped Buenos Aires as the Argentina national team led by Lionel Messi beat Panama 2-0 on Thursday in a friendly match that was essentially a celebration of their World Cup victory last December.
Messi mania in Argentina as soccer star mobbed at restaurant
March 21, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A steakhouse in the trendy Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo was mobbed by hundreds of frenzied soccer fans late Monday night when word spread that Lionel Messi was inside having dinner.
Huge demand in Argentina to see World Cup champs at friendly
March 16, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina’s upcoming friendly quickly sold out Thursday after more than 1 million people formed an online queue for tickets to see the World Cup champions play at home for the first time since Lionel Messi's team lifted the trophy in Qatar.
Brothers Khéphren and Marcus Thuram are both in France squad
March 16, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Brothers Khéphren and Marcus Thuram were called up by France coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday for upcoming European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland.
They are the sons of former France defender Lilian Thuram, who played alongside Deschamps when France won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000.
Argentina picks squad to celebrate World Cup winners at home
March 3, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES (AP) — World Cup winner Argentina will celebrate with its fans at two home games in March against Panama and Curacao.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on Friday announced a 35-man squad which included Lionel Messi, Ángel Di Maria and the other members of Argentina’s winning squad in Qatar.
Gunmen threaten Messi, shoot up family-owned supermarket
March 2, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Gunmen threatened Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi in a written message left Thursday when they opened fire at a supermarket owned by his in-laws in Argentina, police said.
Chelsea coach Potter reaches critical point as losses mount
February 28, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — With his team’s winless run stretching to six games in all competitions, Chelsea manager Graham Potter is facing a critical point of his early reign.
Messi and Putellas voted best players at FIFA awards again
February 28, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — World Cup champion Lionel Messi edged Kylian Mbappé again, this time to take FIFA’s best men’s player award on Monday.
The best women’s player was Spain's Alexia Putellas for a second straight year.
Argentina extends Scaloni’s contract to 2026 World Cup
February 27, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — World Cup winner Lionel Scaloni will remain as coach of Argentina to the end of the 2026 World Cup.
The Argentine Football Association and Scaloni confirmed the deal on Monday.
Man United’s ‘too small’ Martinez has silenced his critics
February 24, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — It took only two games for some to question whether Lisandro Martinez could make it at Manchester United.
In a matter of months, however, the World Cup winner from Argentina has established himself as a bedrock of United’s four-pronged trophy challenge and become one of the most dominant defenders in the English Premier League.
Al-Hilal upsets Flamengo 3-2 to reach Club World Cup final
February 7, 2023 GMTTANGIER, Morocco (AP) — Saudi striker Salem Al-Dawsari was once again on the scoreboard in a big match.
Al-Dawsari, who scored the winner in Saudi Arabia's 2-1 upset of Argentina at the World Cup, converted two penalties to help Al-Hilal beat Brazilian club Flamengo 3-2 in the Club World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.
Messi has doubts about playing 2026 World Cup at age 39
February 3, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi may be in doubt as to whether he’ll be still playing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup but he’s sure about one thing: he wants Lionel Scaloni to stay on as head coach until then, regardless.
Messi regrets controversy against Dutch at the World Cup
January 30, 2023 GMTBUENOS AIRES (AP) — World Cup winner Lionel Messi regretted his testy exchanges with the Netherlands coach and players during their controversial quarterfinal in Qatar, he said in an interview aired on Monday.
FIFA charges Argentina over World Cup final celebrations
January 13, 2023 GMTZURICH (AP) — FIFA opened a disciplinary case against the Argentine Football Association on Friday for alleged offensive player misconduct and violations of fair play at the World Cup final.
FIFA cited its media and marketing regulations for prosecuting the case, which appears to relate to a boisterous celebration by players running through the interview zone after the game on Dec.
Ronaldo left off FIFA award list headed by Messi, Mbappé
January 12, 2023 GMTZURICH (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo was left off the the 14-player shortlist for the annual Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the first time, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé among those selected.
Ronaldo, who was released by Manchester United and benched by Portugal during the World Cup, won the FIFA award the first two times it was handed out — in 2016 and 2017 — and was among the three finalists the following three years.
Barcelona held 1-1 at home by Espanyol after World Cup break
December 31, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona stumbled in its first game since a seven-week World Cup break when it was held 1-1 by Espanyol at Camp Nou in a heated Catalan derby that finished with both teams having a player sent off in the final minutes on Saturday.
Ronaldo Saudi move to signal likely end of elite club career
December 31, 2022 GMTLess than two weeks after his great rival Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and likely signalled the end of his career in elite club soccer.
Argentines have tattoo fever following World Cup triumph
December 30, 2022 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina has tattoo fever.
Sometimes it’s to fulfill a promise, other times as a way to say thank you or simply to immortalize on the skin what was by all accounts an unforgettable moment.
Pelé remembered for transcending soccer around world
December 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth.
“Before Pelé, ’10′ was just a number,” current Brazil forward Neymar wrote following the soccer great's death Thursday at the age of 82.
Mbappé haunted by France loss, not bitter toward Argentina
December 29, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Kylian Mbappé may always be haunted by France's loss in the World Cup final, but says he bears no bitterness over the way Argentina celebrated and won't let the defeat hold him back with Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona, Madrid resume Spanish league fight post World Cup
December 29, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona and Real Madrid resume their fight for the Spanish league title as the competition starts again following a seven-week hiatus for the World Cup.
When club play stopped in early November, Barcelona and Madrid were already threatening to make it a two-team race with nine points separating second-place Madrid from Real Sociedad in third.
PSG stars Mbappé, Neymar fired up as French league resumes
December 27, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain stars Kylian Mbappé and Neymar could take out their World Cup frustrations on struggling Strasbourg when the French league resumes on Wednesday.
AP PHOTOS: Favorite photos from AP staff at the World Cup
December 24, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — A World Cup that ended with Lionel Messi finally holding the golden trophy in his hands produced some unforgettable images from the staff of Associated Press photographers at the tournament in Qatar.
AP Photos: In 2022, sports brought every imaginable emotion
December 23, 2022 GMTEmotion.
Sport is the forum where it cannot be hidden, where the feelings that are pulsing through someone’s core at a particular moment — be it good or bad, joy or pain, exhilaration or anguish, relief or regret — can be captured in a single image.
Maxi Moralez to leave NYC, return to Argentina’s Racing
December 23, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Midfielder Maxi Moralez is rejoining Argentina’s Racing after six seasons with New York City in Major League Soccer.
The 35-year-old Moralez had 36 goals and 60 assists in 194 games over all competitions, helping NYC win the 2021 MLS title.
Girona upset at 4th-tier rival in Copa; Atlético advances
December 23, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Girona became the first top-flight Spanish team to be upset in the Copa del Rey’s round-of-32 on Thursday, while Atlético Madrid had to fight back for victory at another minnow.
Girona, which is 13th in the Spanish league, was upset 2-1 at the fourth-tier Cacereño in western Spain.
French federation plans contract talks with coach Deschamps
December 22, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps will meet with French soccer federation president Noël Le Graët next week to discuss a new contract.
Deschamps, who has been in charge for 10 years, has led Les Bleus to three major finals and won the 2018 World Cup.
Argentina only No. 2 in new FIFA rankings led by Brazil
December 22, 2022 GMTZURICH (AP) — Winning the World Cup was not enough to lift Argentina atop the FIFA world rankings with Brazil keeping the No.
Man United advances, Brighton loses in League Cup
December 21, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford scored to help Manchester United beat Burnley 2-0 and advance to the quarterfinals of the English League Cup on Wednesday.
Argentina’s government defends chaotic World Cup parade
December 21, 2022 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s government on Wednesday defended the mammoth parade held to welcome home the World Cup winners even though the event was abruptly cut short amid organizational chaos.
Rayo needs penalties to avoid Copa upset; Sevilla advances
December 21, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Rayo Vallecano needed penalties to squeak past a fifth-tier opponent in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, while other top-flight teams including Sevilla and Real Sociedad advanced to the round-of-16 with little trouble.
Sunday’s World Cup final most-watched soccer match in U.S.
December 21, 2022 GMTArgentina’s dramatic victory over France in penalty kicks in the World Cup final has become the most-watched soccer match of any kind in the United States.
With Nielsen and Fox releasing the “match only” rating on Wednesday, Sunday's match had an English- and Spanish-language total combined audience of 26,726,000.
More than 25 million watched World Cup final in U.S.
December 20, 2022 GMTArgentina's dramatic victory over France in penalty kicks in the World Cup final was the second most-watched soccer match of any kind in the United States.
The early numbers from Nielsen, Fox and Telemundo show Sunday's match had an English- and Spanish-language combined audience of 25,783,000.
French federation to go after abusers of World Cup players
December 20, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — The French soccer federation wants to go after social media users who targeted some of the national team's players with racist comments following France's loss to Argentina in the World Cup final.
FIFA mostly wins big but loses some trust at Qatar World Cup
December 19, 2022 GMTEven before an epic final won by Lionel Messi and Argentina, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was calling it “the best World Cup ever” in Qatar.
England pick ideal successor to Jones in Borthwick
December 19, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Steve Borthwick was England rugby's first choice to replace Eddie Jones as the national coach.
Borthwick was expected to take over from Jones next year after the Rugby World Cup in France but the promotion was accelerated when Jones was fired this month, and confirmed on Monday.
Messi, Mbappe give Qatar the perfect World Cup ending
December 19, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — When it comes to soccer, money can buy the world.
It can pay for the World Cup. And the world’s best players. And it can bundle them all up into a perfect package and present it to a global audience of millions.
World Cup review: Best and worst of the tournament in Qatar
December 19, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — After 64 matches, 172 goals and one of the best finals in history, the 2022 World Cup is over.
Argentina is the champion for the third time after beating France in a penalty shootout.
Weekend Sports In Brief
December 19, 2022 GMTSOCCER
LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete: He is a World Cup champion.
In probably the wildest final in the tournament’s 92-year history, Argentina won its third World Cup title by beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw featuring two goals from the 35-year-old Messi and a hat trick by his heir apparent, Frech forward Kylian Mbappé.
2026 World Cup hosts take diplomatic handover from Qatar
December 19, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — A diplomatic delegation from the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup were in Qatar on Sunday for a handover ceremony ahead of the final between France and Argentina.
The United States, Mexico and Canada will stage soccer’s biggest event in less than 3½ years.
Argentines erupt in joy after epic World Cup final
December 19, 2022 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentines let loose on Sunday and streets across the country became places of celebration after an epic World Cup final in which the national team beat France on penalties.
Messi’s hometown of Rosario celebrates after World Cup win
December 19, 2022 GMTROSARIO, Argentina (AP) — The streets of Lionel Messi’s hometown of Rosario erupted in celebration on Sunday after Argentina beat France to win its third World Cup title.
“We’re champions, which is all we wanted, more than anything for (Messi) and for the whole team,” Santiago Ferraris, 25, said.
‘Very sad’ Macron congratulates Argentina for World Cup win
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Dejected but still proud of France’s World Cup team, French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Argentina and Argentines for their win in Sunday’s final.
World Cup final ends just in time for Fox’s NFL coverage
December 18, 2022 GMTKylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi provided more drama leading up to Sunday's early NFL games on Fox than Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw.
Sunday's World Cup final in Qatar between Argentina and France went to extra time and penalty kicks, bumping Fox's “NFL Sunday” pregame show off the air.
Messi wins World Cup to push claim to be soccer’s GOAT
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — After finally winning the World Cup, Lionel Messi made his strongest case yet to be considered soccer’s greatest player of all time.
It will never be possible to say definitively, though, even after Argentina's 4-2 penalty shootout victory over France on Sunday in the final at Lusail Stadium.
Pelé congratulates Messi and Mbappé after World Cup final
December 18, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil great Pelé congratulated Lionel Messi and Argentina for winning the World Cup and Kylian Mbappé for his goal-scoring exploits in Sunday's final.
Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France on penalties
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi, wearing a black Qatari robe over his blue-and-white Argentina shirt, kissed the World Cup, shuffled toward his teammates and hoisted the golden trophy high in the air.
Mbappé electrifies in World Cup epic, ends up on losing side
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick seemingly from out of nowhere to electrify the World Cup final, he ended the tournament as the leading scorer with eight goals, and he still missed out on winning a second straight title.
Messi plans to play on for Argentina after World Cup win
December 18, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi is not ready to walk away from Argentina yet, despite ending his pursuit of a World Cup winner's medal.
The soccer great secured the one major trophy that has eluded him in his storied career as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in the final at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
France’s dismay mixed with awe for Messi in World Cup final
December 18, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — In the pain, there also was consolation. Losing to Argentina in the World Cup final wasn't the ending that heart-broken France fans hoped for.
Live updates | Argentina wins World Cup final against France
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — The Latest from the World Cup final between Argentina and France:
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Lionel Messi says he cannot wait to return to Argentina with the World Cup trophy.
World Cup in Qatar sets scoring record with 172 goals
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — The six-goal final between France and Argentina set a World Cup record of 172 at this year’s tournament.
The previous tournament record of 171 goals was set in 1998 and 2014.
Messi, Mbappé lead selections for AP’s team of the World Cup
December 18, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé head the selections for the team of the tournament as chosen by writers covering the World Cup for The Associated Press.
World Cup champions to get $42 million in prize money
December 18, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — The World Cup champions will earn $42 million in prize money for their soccer federation.
The losing team in Sunday's final between France and Argentina will get $30 million from a FIFA prize fund of $440 million.
FA to take ‘strong action’ after Melbourne fan violence
December 18, 2022 GMTMELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Football Australia has vowed to take strong and swift action with harsh punishments after an A-League soccer match between rivals Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory was abandoned Saturday after fans invaded the field and attacked City goalkeeper Tom Glover.
Croatia beats Morocco 2-1 to take 3rd place at World Cup
December 17, 2022 GMTAL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Luka Modric high-fived and embraced his Croatia teammates after what was likely the midfield great’s last appearance at the World Cup.
Deschamps, France feeling ‘alone’ ahead of World Cup final
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps knows most neutral fans want Argentina to win the World Cup final to give Lionel Messi the perfect send-off from soccer's biggest tournament.
Sports on TV for Sunday, December 18
December 17, 2022 GMTBTN — Canisius at Penn State
Sports on TV for Sunday, December 18
December 17, 2022 GMTBTN — Canisius at Penn State
Scaloni answers critics with Argentina’s World Cup final run
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Argentina’s gamble paid off.
Criticism came quickly when Lionel Scaloni was hired as the unqualified, somewhat accidental coach of Argentina’s national team in 2018.
How, the nay-sayers said, could someone with no club experience — in fact, no senior coaching experience at all — be expected to lead a squad containing the great Lionel Messi?
Argentines flock to Qatar for chance to win the World Cup
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — From a soccer-crazed country known for its world-class players and its repeated economic crises, Argentine fans are making great sacrifices to be in Qatar to see their team try to win the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
Argentina fans adopt ‘Muchachos’ as their World Cup anthem
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — “Muchachos” has become a hugely popular unofficial anthem of Argentine fans at the World Cup.
The song, which was written by a fan, includes references to soccer greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
How Argentina can beat France in the World Cup final
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi stands on the brink of a long-awaited World Cup winner's medal as Argentina faces defending champions France in Sunday's final.
EXPLAINER: Why are Argentines such ardent World Cup fans?
December 17, 2022 GMTArgentina arguably has the World Cup's most fervent fans, known for their rhythmical singing, incessant drumming and trance-like ferocity.
The country's history of success at the World Cup — champions in 1978 and 1986, and runners-up three times — is rivaled by few.
Sports on TV for December 17-18
December 16, 2022 GMTSHO — Showtime Championship: Michel Rivera vs. Frank Martin (Lightweights), Las Vegas
Each World Cup semifinal seen by 9M people in US
December 16, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Victories by Argentina and France in the World Cup semifinals were each seen by nine million people in the U.S.
Argentina's 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday was seen by 9.3 million.
Varane, Konate miss World Cup training for virus-hit France
December 16, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konaté were among five France players who missed training on Friday, two days before the World Cup final against Argentina.
Messi’s hometown in Argentina yearns for World Cup victory
December 16, 2022 GMTROSARIO, Argentina (AP) — Fernanda Quiroga still remembers how Lionel Messi played soccer in what were then dirt roads around their working class neighborhood in Rosario, Argentina’s third-largest city.
Messi, Mbappe, other leading storylines for World Cup Final
December 16, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi's last chance. Kylian Mbappé's shot at emulating Pelé. A third World Cup title for either Argentina or France.
10 dead in France’s worst residential fire in years
December 16, 2022 GMTVAULX-EN-VELIN, France (AP) — Ten people, including five children as young as 3, died after a nighttime fire ravaged an eight-story apartment building Friday in one of the French city of Lyon’s poorest suburbs, local authorities said.
Messi carries the weight of Argentina into World Cup final
December 15, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — As Lionel Messi approaches his second and likely last World Cup final, the stakes could hardly be higher.
The same goes for Argentina after more than 30 years of disappointment since it last won soccer's ultimate prize.
Wednesday’s Sports In Brief
December 15, 2022 GMTSOCCER
AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi.
Soccer’s latest superstar against perhaps the sport’s greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.
France celebrates World Cup victory, fans cheer Morocco team
December 15, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Crowds in Paris and other French cities erupted in shouts of joy as France advanced to the World Cup final Wednesday, while disappointed Morocco fans mingled with the exuberant supporters of the winning team, paying tribute to the African country's unprecedented achievement.
Mbappe, France advance to World Cup final, beat Morocco 2-0
December 14, 2022 GMTAL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi.
Soccer's latest superstar against perhaps the sport's greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.
France and Mbappé are headed back to the biggest game in soccer, and to a much-anticipated matchup with Argentina, after ending Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup on Wednesday.
Argentina airline adds 2 more flights for World Cup final
December 14, 2022 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina's national carrier scheduled two extra flights from Buenos Aires to Qatar to take soccer fans to the World Cup final.
Messi evokes Maradona comparisons on road to World Cup final
December 14, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — The blue-and-white wall of Argentina fans launched into another rendition of their World Cup anthem as fulltime approached at Lusail Stadium.
Tuesday’s Sports In Brief
December 14, 2022 GMTSOCCER
LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi is back in the World Cup final with Argentina on his mission to win soccer’s biggest prize for the first time.
Messi fans overjoyed in south Asia after Argentina semi win
December 14, 2022 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Soccer fan Gazi Jahidul Haque was struggling to hide his concern before the Argentina and Croatia World Cup semifinal at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium.
Haque was watching the game in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
Argentina erupts in joy after team reaches World Cup final
December 14, 2022 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The streets of Argentina turned into a party Tuesday as the national team beat Croatia by a comfortable 3-0 and earned this soccer-crazed South American country a spot in the World Cup final.
Álvarez surges, scores, carries Argentina to World Cup final
December 13, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — With surging runs and a striker’s instinct, Julián Álvarez carried Argentina into another World Cup final.
Lionel Messi and the 22-year-old Álvarez were a pair of 5-feet-6 (1.70-meter) predators in a partnership that put to rest any hopes Croatia had of reaching back-to-back finals.