Chaos in Brazil, Lingard stars – Sunday’s biggest stories
The biggest story on Sunday was undoubtedly in South America where there was absolute chaos during the Brazil versus Argentina World Cup qualifier.
The two teams kicked off the game at the Neo Quimica Arena but, after five minutes, public health officials stormed onto the pitch in order to deport four Argentine players.
The players in question were English-based stars Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero, who it is alleged lied about their travel and quarantine in South America in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The match was thus postponed until further notice.
Armed coup in Guinea
Brazil versus Argentina was not the only World Cup qualifier to be postponed amidst dramatic circumstances as an armed coup in Guinea led to the postponement of the nation’s game against Morocco.
See how the citizens of the country dey jubilate. You are here doing pray for Guinea . Hwe 😂 pic.twitter.com/ns0eyUcKkH
— Bossy 🦍 (@i_Bossy__) September 5, 2021
The match was due to be played in the capital of Conakry on Monday but on Sunday morning an armed group announced it had overthrown the government and taken the president Alpha Conde hostage.
It is not clear yet whether the game will be rearranged in Morocco instead.
World record for Italy
Italy set a new world record unbeaten run with their 0-0 draw in Switzerland on Sunday.
🚨 NEW WORLD RECORD 🚨@Azzurri_En have set a new world record under @robymancio going unbeaten for 36 consecutive matches.
What an amazing turnaround from the shambles Ventura left to go on to win #Euro2020 & go 36 games unbeaten.
💚⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/eK6Eo8Oct0— The Italian Football Podcast (@ItaFootPod) September 5, 2021
That result means that the Azzurri have gone 36 games unbeaten, overtaking Brazil (1993-1996) and Spain (2007-2009) as the the occupiers of the longest undefeated streak in international football history.
Italy have not lost a game since September 2018 to Portugal in a Nations League game.
Lingard shows his worth
Professional performance today from the boys 💪🏾 happy to get 2 goals and assist 😁@JLingz x Siiiuuu #Jlingz #England pic.twitter.com/k3HlFJJPhR
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) September 5, 2021
Lingard has played just four minutes for Man Utd this season but this was his 11th goal in 17 competitive starts for club and country this calendar year.
Conte denial and Kounde explanation
Elsewhere, super-agent Federico Pastorello stressed that it is not true that Antonio Conte has signed a pre-agreement to replace Mikel Arteta as Arsenal manager.
The complete text of Lionel Messi’s famous burofax from last year was revealed.
For all the other main transfer news of the day, you can follow our blog by clicking on this link.
Read more about: Cristian Romero, Emiliano Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso, Jesse Lingard, Jules Koundé, Lionel Messi, Portu