Author: Ellis King

It’s been a dismal start to the season for Montpellier, who now sit bottom of Ligue 1 with just a single point taken from their opening six games. The result in this game didn’t make things any better …. Monaco’s start, while not exactly meeting expectations, has been better. They sat in 12th on 8 points, having scored 5 goals more than Montpellier before this game began. Unfortunately for Leonardo Jardim, they’d conceded the same amount too, those 8 goals in 6 games constitute almost a third of what they conceded in the entirety of last season. Here, they scored…

http://gty.im/479074858 Argentina breezed past Paraguay to book their place in the final of Copa America 2015.  Paraguay had the first chance of the game as a long ball to Nelson Haedo Valdez was headed down to Roque Santa Cruz, but the former Malaga man shot wide with his volley. Argentina’s opening effort came from a Pablo Zabaleta cross, finding Javier Pastore, but his shot was comfortable for Justo Villar to stop. After 15 minutes La Albiceleste took the lead. Ángel Di María was fouled and the resulting free kick was whipping into the box by Lionel Messi, Manchester United’s Marcos…

http://gty.im/479021558 Chile and Peru clashed in the first semi-final of Copa America 2015, but it was Chile who triumphed on home turf, overcoming a brave Peru.  La Roja took the upper hand early on as Miiko Albornoz began to dictate from deep, Carlos Ascues came to Peru’s rescue blocking an effort from Eduardo Vargas inside the opening five minutes. It was then Peru’s turn to introduce themselves to the home fans, a wonderful cross was meant by the head of Schalke’s Jefferson Farfán whose effort struck the post as he flicked his neck towards goal. In fitting with every other…

http://gty.im/478810090 Paraguay shocked many as they squeezed past Brazil on penalties in the last quarter-final of Copa America 2015.   Canarinho took the lead in the opening 15 minutes. A flowing Brazilian move saw Dani Alves swing a low ball into the box that was pounced on by former AC Milan forward Robinho, who showed there’s still life in the old dog yet. Paraguay were struggling to impose themselves on a game that Brazil were in complete control of for the opening 30 minutes. In the final 10 minutes of the half Paraguay were beginning to gain marginal control of…

http://gty.im/478685882 The first side to progress to semi-final 2 was Argentina as they overcame Colombia on penalties in a tight match-up in Viña del Mar.  Argentina forced David Ospina to make an early save as Ángel Di María crossed well and Javier Pastore poked the ball towards goal. From the resulting corner Marcos Rojo should’ve tested Ospina again, but could only head into the stands. In the 15th minute Argentina had valid claims for a penalty. Manchester United target Nicolás Otamendi appeared to be hauled down by Jeison Murillo but the referee, who appeared to be in a lenient mood,…

http://gty.im/478538066 Peru will face Chile in the first semi-final of Copa America 2015 as they knocked out Bolivia in an entertaining match in Temuco.  The game started timidly, with both sides pressing high in the hope of preventing the opposition creating any early attempts. Peru’s early dominance resulted it a goal after 20 minutes. Juan Manuel Vargas’ cross was met by Paolo Guerrero who appeared to send the ball in the net via his shoulder. Within three minutes of their first Peru got their second. A Bolivian free-kick at the other end has headed clear and Christian Cueva combined with Jefferson…

http://gty.im/478382982 The first quarter-final of Copa America 2015 ended in heartbreak for Uruguay as they crashed out to hosts Chile.  Chile started the game as you would expect in front of their own fans as Jorge Valdivia appeared to be carrying over his form from Chile’s 5-0 demolition of Bolivia, creating a chance early on for Eduardo Vargas who fired over the bar. Uruguay came close through Carlos Sánchez as he attempted to curl the ball to the far corner, eventually spinning just wide of Claudio Bravo’s far post. Chile’s football throughout the half was a joy to watch. A…

http://gty.im/478031068 The biggest game of the Copa America 2015 group stage was upon us, this game would decide who finished where in Group C and who will play who in the first games of the knock-out phase.  Brazil took an early lead after nine minutes as a Robinho corner was met majestically by Thiago Silva, who rifled the ball past Alain Baroja in the Venezuelan goal. They came close soon after as Robinho flashed a sensational volley just over the top, it would undoubtedly have been the goal of the tournament thus far. The match turned from football to pinball…

http://gty.im/478023272 Group C was perfectly poised going into the final match-day with all four sides sitting on 3 points. Colombia and Peru both had it all to play for, knowing defeat could condemn them to elimination.  Colombia started on the front foot, with Peru’s Pedro Gallese making a good save as Chelsea target Radamel Falcao turned in the box and got a shot away. Falcao was involved in another Colombia chance moments later. Teófilo Gutiérrez won the ball and tapped it off to Falcao who played a perfectly weighted pass to Pablo Armero, but the left-back struck wide. The half…

http://gty.im/478005222 Argentina could top the group with a victory over already eliminated Jamaica, but La Albiceleste were through to the quarters regardless.  They started strongly with Lionel Messi, on his 100th appearance for the national team, looking to be his usual menacing self. Higuain had a couple of minor chances early on but failed to make anything of them. On 10 minutes Argentina took an unsurprising lead. Ángel Di María’s poked ball appeared to unintentionally reach Gonzalo Higuaín who turned brilliantly in inches of space before find the far corner in the tightest of situations. Higuaín was in search of…