Argentina advances to the semis: Messi complains to the referee during the match

Julián Quiñones’ performance in the World Cup did not go unnoticed. The Mexican forward scored four goals with El Tri, which placed him as the best player on the team and one of the most outstanding in the tournament. His name is now being heard in clubs in England.

According to information replicated in European media, Aston Villa is closely following the attacker. The specialized journalist Sacha Tavolieri pointed out that the English club is analyzing a possible approach with Al-Qadsiah to find out the conditions of a negotiation. So far there is no formal offer.

Days ago, Chelsea also appeared as a possible destination. However, the information did not advance, partly due to the club’s policy of not hiring players close to 30 years old.

Quiñones comes from a historic season in Saudi Arabia: he was the scoring champion with 33 goals in 31 games. He surpassed Ivan Toney (32 goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo (27 goals).

According to the FIFA Power Ranking, the Mexican is the tenth best player in the World Cup, along with other figures.

Argentina beats Switzerland in extra time

The Argentine team experienced another night of high tension to secure their ticket to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. In a match that was decided in overtime, the Albiceleste defeated Switzerland 3-1 in Kansas City.

Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header after a corner kick. Argentina was unable to maintain the advantage and at 67′, Dan Ndoye equalized with a good individual play. Switzerland lost Breel Embolo for a double yellow in the 72nd minute, but held out until regulation time.

In the second extra time, Julián Álvarez scored a spectacular goal from outside the area (112′) that was placed in the corner. Lautaro Martínez sealed the victory with a goal in the final seconds.

The rival in the semifinals will be England, a classic rival of the Argentines in the history of the World Cups. It will be the third semifinal for Argentina in the Lionel Messi era.

Defined semi-finals

France was the first classified by beating Morocco 2-0, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Spain also advanced by beating Belgium 2-1 with an agonizing goal from Mikel Merino in the 88th minute. Thus, the semifinals will face Argentina vs. England and France vs. Spain.

Antonio Rattín, emblematic former player of Boca Juniors and the Argentine national team, died in Buenos Aires at the age of 89. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed the news and expressed its regret for the loss of a national football legend.

Rattín, known for his physical and brave game, played in the 1962 Chile and 1966 England World Cups. With Boca he won six national titles and was runner-up in the Copa Libertadores in 1963. The club said goodbye to him with a message: “Caudillo, Argentine and eternally Bostero.”

The incident that changed football

During the 1966 World Cup, in the quarterfinals against England, Rattín was expelled for “verbal excess.” With no cards yet, the referee told him that he had to leave the field. Upon leaving, the footballer crumpled a corner pennant with the English flag and sat on the red carpet reserved for Queen Elizabeth II.

“When I was expelled I went to the queen’s carpet and sat down… then I started walking. I remember grabbing the airy chocolates they threw at me,” he recalled in an interview.

The violent situation led FIFA to look for a clear way to communicate sanctions. Kenneth George Aston was inspired by street traffic lights and in 1967 created the yellow and red cards, which debuted at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Rattín’s rudeness also marked the beginning of the football rivalry between Argentina and England, which reached its peak in Mexico 1986, with Diego Maradona’s goals amid the tension over the Malvinas war.