Egypt's electricity minister, Copelouzos Group discuss progress on Egypt–Greece power interconnection    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Prime Developments, Osoul for Tourism Development launch EGP 1.25bn CLAN project in Hurghada    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, bilateral ties in calls with Saudi, South African counterparts    Total financing by FRA-regulated entities hits EGP 640.1bn in June 2025    Egypt aims to restore gas output, reach self-sufficiency by 2027: PM    EGP climbs vs USD in Wed.'s trading close    Egypt, Saudi Arabia reject Israeli plan to occupy Gaza    Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta    27 Western countries issue joint call for unimpeded aid access to Gaza    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Colombia discuss medical support for Palestinians injured in Gaza    Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September, New Zealand to decide    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Global matcha market to surpass $7bn by 2030: Nutrition expert    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Oil rises on Wednesday    Egypt, Uganda strengthen water cooperation, address Nile governance    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Egypt, Malawi explore pharmaceutical cooperation, export opportunities    Korean Cultural Centre in Cairo launches folk painting workshop    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Bolivia frustrate Messi's Argentina again
Bolivia frustrated Lionel Messi's Argentina for the second time in four months when they held them to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier on Friday
Published in Ahram Online on 12 - 11 - 2011

The result left Argentina with four points from three matches after last month's 4-1 home win over Chile and shock 1-0 defeat away to Venezuela. Bolivia picked up their first point having previously lost to Uruguay and Colombia.
"It hurts us to draw, we know that here (at home) we can't let any points escape," Messi told reporters.
"It's important to win at home because that makes everything easier, a draw makes it more difficult. Now we must get a good result in Colombia."
Argentina play Colombia away on Tuesday.
Messi's side, held 1-1 by the Bolivians in their opening Copa America match in nearby La Plata in July, had to come from behind again to deny their modest opponents a first victory on Argentine soil after conceding against the run of play.
Striker Marcelo Martins stunned the 30,000 crowd at a sun-drenched Monumental when he robbed Martin Demichelis, then turned the central defender twice in the box and shot high past goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the 55th minute.
It was Bolivia's first goal in Argentina in a qualifier since 1996.
"Bolivia had a great match, I think we would have deserved to win," Martins said in a televised interview.
Argentina struggled to break down the packed Bolivia defence, although they did have the ball in the net in the first half but it was disallowed after the referee called back play
due to a foul on Messi.
Messi had been brought down but still managed to pass to Gonzalo Higuain, who shot under Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Arias from a narrow angle.
"(The referee's decision) surprised us all, didn't it?" said Messi. "It would have changed everything, with the 1-0 (lead) it would have been very different."
SUCCESSFUL SUBSTITUTION
Almost immediately after Bolivia's opener, Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella took off midfielder Ricky Alvarez and brought on striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, who equalised with his second touch
four minutes later.
Messi fed Fernando Gago on the right, the midfielder passed to Lavezzi, who touched the ball away from a defender and scored with a left-footed shot inside the far post.
"Today the goal (we conceded) was the result of an individual error and not a tactical failing," Sabella told the post-match news conference.
Lavezzi also brought a save out of Arias at the base of his left-hand post and the goalkeeper also parried a stinging shot from Javier Pastore.
Messi had a chance in front of goal but sent the ball well wide with an uncharacteristic miss-hit.
Lavezzi could have won the match for Argentina with eight minutes to go but his diving header went wide.


Clic here to read the story from its source.