Lionel Messi, off target freekick for Argentina.....he is human! - Video

Lionel Messi proves that he is human with this freekick, that ended up well into the crowd. Argentina went on to draw 0-0 with Columbia, which puts them in danger of missing the next round of the Copa America.

Check out Messi's failed attempt below!

Copa America - Argentina 1 - 1 Bolivia - Review

Argentina has succumb to a 1-1 draw with Bolivia in the opening round of their Copa America campaign. The Argentinians have a lot of work to do before their next encounter with Columbia, especially going forward. It would look as thought the combination of strikers upfront hasn't been properly tweaked.

Argentina came into the match heavy favourites, even after their 6-1 loss to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying. Argentina went into the match with a formidable attack force comprising of Messi, Higuain, Milito, Aguero, Lavezzi, Tevez and Di Maria. To the neutral spectator, the squad would seem almost perfect. All seemed to be going to plan for the Biancoceleste, holding a majority of the possession in the early part of the match.

The first half remained scoreless, with Bolivia looking the more shaky of the two teams on the pitch. To their credit they hung in their repelling most of the lacklustre Argentinian attack.

With the second half about to start, Argentinian manager Gustavo Quinteros decided to introduce Angel Di Maria for Cambiasso in the hope that his side could salvage a goal. The Madrid winger made an impact on the game, but it was Bolivia who would score the opener, when Rojas cleverly slotted the ball home from a corner.


Shocked by the goal Argentina began to press with more urgency. Lavezzi drilled two shots wide and that marked the end of his game as he was substituted for Athletico striker Sergio Aguero. The man of the match had a sudden impact on the game. With 15 minutes remaining Di Maria played a ball in from the left, Inter fullback Zanetti controlled the ball, chesting it onto Aguero's foot. From there the striker hammered home a spectacular volley, which salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Argentinians.


The final 10 minutes were dominated by Argentina but they failed to put another in the back of the net. A disappointing performance from a side favourites to win the trophy, Messi failed to fire again, which raises the question can he play without his Barca team mates?


Man of the Match - Sergio Aguero


Final Score - Argentina 1 (Aguero 75) - Bolivia 1 (Rojas 48)

Will Messi fire at the Copa America?

Lionel Messi has, for a long time now, established himself as one of the best players in the world.At Barcelona he decimates opposition, weaving through them, gaining assists and scoring goals. Yet it would seem, when Messi puts on the Argentinian jersey, this ability to get goals just fades away.

Many have criticised Messi's ability to play without his spectacular Barcelona team. Surrounded my Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and a whole other host of big names, Messi looks faultless - untouchable. Rewind back to the 2010 World Cup, Messi had just come off another amazing season with Barca, winning the Ballon d'or. However during the World Cup he failed to score, and, although impressive in the group stage, Argentina failed to make their mark on the competition.

It is true to say that perhaps Maradonna could've put together a better squad, nevertheless, one could not question the forward line of Argentina - Higuain, Milito, Aguero and Messi just to name a few.

Argentina kick off their Copa America campaign on the 1st of July against Bolivia. Messi will play a marquee role in the squad and is confident he can establish himself over his opposition. Brazil as always will pose the greatest threat, especially with the new blood coming through the ranks!

How The Mighty Can Fall: Argentinean Powerhouse River Plate Are Relegated

The most successful club of Argentinean football, Club Atlético River Plate, commonly known as River Plate have been relegated to the second division of Argentinean football Nacional B for the first time in their 110 year history.

This comes as little shock to those who have been following Los Millonario, as their poor form has been evident for quite some time. These poor results culminated in a relegation/promotion playoff between Belgrano de Córdoba, to which over a two legged affair saw Belgrano take a two-nil lead into the second leg. River Plate were unable to mount a comeback at their home stadium at El Monumental and succumbed to a 1 - 1 in the second as Belgrano secured promotion to the top flight.


As it came to pass, perhaps one of the most prestigious and well-known clubs of Argentinean (and South American) football saw themselves relegated to the second division, a league that they had not ever tread into in their vast and glorious history.

The emotion displayed from the players is evident as they must now confront their fans



After the 1-1 draw at El Monumental, fans of Los Millionario began rioting throughout the streets and were greeted by a heavy police enforcement.



Should one be feeling empathetic? Or perhaps apathetic?

There is only one way to find out, to see how Los Millionarios react from their relegation and how they must now dominate Nacional B to regain their status amongst the footballing heavyweights of South American football.

By Marcel Abboud