Chaos in Brazil, Lingard stars – Sunday’s biggest stories

Carlo Garganese
Carlo Garganese
  • Updated: 23 May 2023 08:54 CDT
  • 5 min read
Brazil v Argentina, 2021
© ProShots

The biggest story on Sunday was undoubtedly in South America where there was absolute chaos during the Brazil versus Argentina World Cup qualifier.

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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.

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.

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

In more transfer-related matters, Jesse Lingard illustrated his class with two goals for England in their 4-0 victory over Andorra at Wembley.

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