Tag Archives: La Roja

CF Montréal Signs Alexis Sánchez

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Alexis Sánchez is heading to The City of Saints.

CF Montréal has signed the 37-year-old Chilean forward to a Designated Player contract, the club announced on Tuesday.

Alexis SánchezSánchez was most recently with LaLiga side Sevilla, where he scored four goals in 30 matches across all competitions.

He joins Montréal on a contract through next May, which will include the current Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign, as well as the sprint season set to take place in the first half of 2027.

The club retains a one-year option for the 2027-28 campaign, which will be the first under the modified league calendar.

“I am very happy to join CF Montréal and take on this new challenge,” said Sánchez. “I’m grateful to the Club for the confidence they’ve shown in me and I’m eager to put my experience to work so that we can reach our objectives and create memorable moments for our supporters. I’m here to give everything I have for the Club and for this city.”

The move sees Sánchez conclude an 18-year spell in Europe, which saw him play for some of the game’s biggest clubs including River Plate, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United and Internazionale.

Along the way, Sánchez was part of teams that claimed six league championships and 11 cup titles. In a career that began in his native Chile with Cobreloa in 2005, he has made over 800 appearances in all competitions at club level, scoring over 200 goals.

“The arrival of Alexis Sánchez represents an important step in our sporting project,” said CF Montréal Senior Director Luca Saputo. “Alexis possesses exceptional technical quality and experience at the highest level of world football. His personality, leadership and competitive mindset fully align with our club’s identity and ambitions. We are of firm belief that he will have an immediate impact both on the field and in the locker room.”

At international level, Sánchez was a stalwart for Chile, leading La Roja to two Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016, both of which came at the expense of Lionel Messi and Argentina.

In the latter competition, Sánchez was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Sánchez holds Chile’s all-time records for both goals scored (51) and international appearances (168).

Montréal sits second-to-last in MLS’ Eastern Conference, with 16 points from 18 games played. Its next games is at home against DC United on August 15.

Mikel Merino Scores Late Goal to Lead Spain Into FIFA World Cup Semifinals

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Mikel Merino is once again Spain’s FIFA World Cup hero.

Four days after the 30-year-old Spanish professional footballer scored a clutch goal as substitute in injury time to beat Portugal, he found himself in the right spot again in the quarterfinals when Belgium’s backup goalkeeper spilled the ball into his path.

Mikel MerinoMerino booted it home in the 88th minute, sending Spain to a 2-1 victory on Friday and into a titanic semifinal showdown with tournament favorite France.

“I’ve done this again, and it’s happened to me again, so it would seem that coincidence exists,” a smiling Merino said. “If you’re ready and you try, I guess it can happen for you.”

Already a versatile contributor in any role he can get as a depth player for his country or English club Arsenal, the multi-positional Merino has transformed into the ultimate super-sub while providing exactly what Spain needed to survive two knockout matches against top opponents.

Merino has scored two goals in his first World Cup — and they’re both historic.

“Honestly, it’s crazy to be able to help the team once again,” he said. “This time in a different way, but at the same time to believe and trust that the opposing goalkeeper could make a mistake and to stay alert. … I prepare for when the moment comes, and hopefully they keep coming.”

Merino is the first to admit he also needed luck, and Belgium keeper Senne Lammens provided it after he was forced into his first World Cup match in the 71st minute by an injury to starter Thibaut Courtois.

Merino came on in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch of the match, charging into the box and pouncing after Lammens lost control of Pau Cubarsí’s long shot.

Fabián Ruiz scored a rebound goal in the 30th minute for Spain, but Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere evened it with the first goal allowed by the Spanish team in the entire World Cup in the 41st minute.

Merino’s clutch goal against an upset-minded Belgium sent La Roja to the semifinals for the first time since they won the World Cup in 2010. A powerhouse matchup with France has been anticipated since the draw was announced late last year, and Spain was grateful to secure its spot.

“We came here for this, to play against the best teams in the world,” Merino said. “We are confident in our possibilities, at the same time respecting the opposition. This is one of those games that you dream of when you’re a kid, and now we have the chance to compete against a massive rival. Hopefully we’ll get the win.”

Spain and France will meet on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, in a matchup anticipated for years. Neither team has lost at this year’s World Cup.

“It will be a clash of giants,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said through a translator. “We are capable of winning this game — and not just now, but I would have said this a few weeks ago as well. They are a great giant of football, but I trust our team.”

Courtois made four saves, but the Real Madrid keeper went down to the grass in the second half after a long kick. He received treatment during the hydration break, but broke down in tears when coach Rudi Garcia removed him moments later.

Only Germany’s Manuel Neuer has played more World Cup matches than Courtois’ 21. Lammens, the capable Manchester United keeper, was forced to become the first goalkeeper other than Courtois to play for Belgium in the last four World Cup tournaments — and he wasn’t able to make the play that would have kept it level.

“We were on equal footing with Spain, and we have nothing to feel bad about,” Garcia said. “In the first half, they only had one chance, but they were very efficient. Unfortunately, to beat a team of this caliber, you need luck on your side as well, and it was too much for us to get into the semifinals.”

Belgium desperately pressed for an equalizer in the final minutes with substitute forward Romelu Lukaku leading the effort, but Aymeric Laporte acrobatically volleyed the best chance out of the box in the second minute of injury time.

“We knew how we could hurt them, and I think we did this today,” Belgium defender Brandon Mechele said. “It’s a pity that it ended like this, but I think we can be proud of the tournament we played.”

Spain remained unbeaten in 37 straight competitive matches since March 2023, while Belgium’s streak of 18 consecutive unbeaten matches across all competitions ended.

Spain didn’t allow a goal in its first five matches at this year’s tournament, and goalkeeper Unai Simón hadn’t conceded in a World Cup-record 650 minutes dating to Qatar.

The streaks abruptly ended when De Ketelaere muscled past Cubarsí and headed home a cross from Timothy Castagne for Belgium’s tying goal.

Belgium hadn’t generated anything close to a strong scoring chance before the latest big moment for De Ketelaere, the Atalanta forward who scored two goals in Belgium’s 4-1 rout of the co-host U.S. on Monday.

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans was removed from the starting lineup after getting injured during warmups. He joined injured defender Amadou Onana on the sidelines.

Aitana Bonmatí Named Player of the Tournament & Euro 2025 Team of the Tournament by UEFA

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Aitana Bonmatí’s team may have lost the title, but she’s earned her own…

England and Spain dominated UEFA‘s team of the tournament following the Lionesses’ triumph over La Roja in a tense penalty shooutout in the final on Sunday, with the 27-year-old professional footballer earning player of the tournament honors.

Aitana Bonmati,The reining Ballon d’Or holder four Spanish players to the UEFA‘s Euro 2025 team of the tournament.

Bonmati is featured in an all-Spanish midfield alongside Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas, while Irene Paredes is among the defenders on the list.

Chloe Kelly‘s spot-kick clinched the tournament for Sarina Wiegman‘s team and ensured England retained the European crown they won for the first time in 2022.

The XI, chosen by UEFA’s technical observer group, recognized the standout players during the tournament in Switzerland.

Here’s a look at the complete team:

UEFA’s Euro 2025 team of the tournament

Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (England).

Defenders: Lucy Bronze (England), Irene Paredes (Spain), Elena Linari (Italy), Franziska Kett (Germany).

Midfielders: Patri Guijarro (Spain), Aitana Bonmatí (Spain), Alexia Putellas (Spain)

Forwards: Jule Brand (Germany), Alessia Russo (England), Chloe Kelly (England)

Mikel Merino Helps Lead Spain to Historic Win Over Germany to Advance to Euro 2024 Semifinals

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Mikel Merino has helped Spain knock out Euro 2024 host country Germany…

The 28-year-old Spanish professional footballer scored a dramatic 119th-minute winner as Spain beat the hosts at a major tournament for the first time in 10 attempts on Friday after Florian Wirtz had cancelled out Dani Olmo‘s opener in normal time.

Mikel MerinoSpain coach Luis de la Fuente said his players are “insatiable” for more success at Euro 2024 after their historic win at Stuttgart Arena.

Spain will meet France in the semifinal in Munich on Tuesday, and de la Fuente hopes their run will continue to the final in Berlin on July 14.

“We are seeing history,” the coach said in a news conference after the game. “It is the first time we have had five wins in a row at the Euros or a World Cup.

“It is also the first time beating the hosts in one of the major tournaments. It’s a moment to put value on what we have achieved and enjoy this historic moment.

“We will see how the story ends, but this team wants to go all the way. These players have heart. They’re insatiable; they don’t tire of competing and working hard. They are ambitious. It’s an honor to have players with those values.”

Spain, Euros 2024Spain has previously struggled against hosts at major tournaments. They lost at World Cups to Russia in 2018 and South Korea in 2002, while they were also painfully beaten by France in the Euro 1984 final.

More heartbreak looked set to follow in Stuttgart when Wirtz leveled for Germany to take the game into extra time after Olmo had turned home Lamine Yamal‘s cross.

Merino’s late goal got Spain over the line in the end, but de la Fuente was still questioned about why he took off Yamal and Nico Williams, among others, after taking the lead, removing La Roja‘s running threat on the counter.

“It depends if it’s good to run or not,” he responded. “We have shown that without running [so much], we won the game. We needed to run less and be more clinical in the final third. That was enough to win a really difficult game.”

A frenzied affair ended with 16 bookings and one red card — to Spain defender Dani Carvajal — while Germany also committed 22 fouls to Spain’s 17.

de la Fuente refused to criticize Germany’s approach but was not happy with an early challenge from Toni Kroos, who was playing his last game before retiring from football, on Pedri, who is likely to miss the rest of the tournament with a knee injury.

“No, because this is football,” he said when asked if Germany’s toughness surprised him. “I played football in the 1980s, so these things don’t scare me.

“I have a friend that says: ‘What do you want, for them to kiss you?’ There is a referee to manage these things. We know these games are played at the limit.

“That aside, Pedri was on the end of a strong challenge that could have been dealt with in another way on the pitch. It deserved a red card.”

Merino, meanwhile, celebrated the winning goal, set up by Olmo, by doing a loop around the corner flag, imitating the celebration his dad performed when he scored at the same stadium in a UEFA Cup game for Osasuna against Stuttgart in 1991.

“It could be the best goal of my career because of the importance of the game, a quarterfinal at the Euros, in the last minute, to win it,” the Real Sociedad midfielder told reporters.

“At first, I didn’t believe it because I didn’t see the ball. There was an incredible silence. I didn’t know if something happened or not, so it took me a few seconds to realize it was a goal.

“And then I celebrated it like crazy. All my teammates came piling over and I realized it had gone in and we were about to win. I am so happy because this is a family.

“There’s a lot of work behind this, especially from my teammates, who were doing a great job, and for Germany to equalize in the 90th minute was a setback, but it’s a reward for perseverance and I think we deserve it.”

As well as losing Pedri to injury and Carvajal to suspension, Spain will be without centerback Robin Le Normand in the semifinal after he received his second booking of the finals.

Rodri Helps Lead Spain to Victory Over Georgia to Advance to Euro 2024 Quarterfinals

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Rodri helps Spain continue its winnings ways…

The 28-year-old Spanish professional footballer scored a goal as three-time champions Spain survived an early scare to beat a spirited Georgia 4-1 on Sunday and reach the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, bringing an end to their opponent’s fairytale run.

Spain, Euro 2024La Roja will meet hosts Germany in the quarterfinals after a polished performance, with goals from Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo in Cologne.

They had gone behind in the 18th minute when Robin Le Normand turned Otar Kakabadze‘s bouncing cross into his own net.

“We are very happy to get through to the quarterfinals, very excited,” Williams said after the match. “Step-by-step we have shown that we are a great team and if we continue at this level we can do great things. Their goal was a mistake, it was unintentional, we all cheered Robin on and in the end we are all pleased and happy.

“[Germany will be] very difficult, they’re a tough nut to crack, but we have a wonderful, well-structured team and if we play at this level we can win.”

Spain had a perfect record in the group stage with three wins and no goals conceded, their best start since 2008, when they went on to win the tournament.

Coach Luis de la Fuente brought his first choices back into the starting lineup having made 10 changes in the final group game, while Georgia kept faith with a side that included the tournament’s joint top scorer, Georges Mikautadze, and its leading shot-stopper, Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Playing in their maiden Euros, Georgia were riding a wave of euphoria and seeking an unlikely Iberian double after last week’s staggering 2-0 win over Portugal sent them into the knockout rounds.

Spain were dominant from the outset and almost went ahead five minutes in, when Dani Carvajal‘s cross from the right found Pedri, who forced an early save from Mamardashvili.

Williams came close soon after when his goal-bound shot was deflected wide of the target.

But Georgia stunned Spain when they went ahead as Mikautadze found Kakabadze on the right and he whipped in an early cross that struck Le Normand and bounced into the net.

Spain kept their cool and equalized after 39 minutes when Williams picked out Rodri, who fired a low shot into the corner.

They made it 2-1 six minutes after the break when a magnificent Lamine Yamal curling cross was headed home by Fabian Ruiz.

Williams killed off any hope of a Georgia comeback with a superbly taken strike in the 75th before substitute Olmo completed the rout with seven minutes left.

Georgia’s French coach Willy Sagnol said his team now had time to sit back and reflect on the amazing feat they had achieved.

“The squad has been absolutely fantastic. I’m very proud of that,” he said. “I’m very proud of what the players have done in the last months. Now it’s the end of a journey, but I’m sure the next one will also be very exciting.”

Aitana Bonmatí Among Four Spanish Soccer Players to Make Shortlist for The Best FIFA Women’s Player Honors

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Aitana Bonmatí is among four Spanish soccer players gunning for Best honors.

The 25-year-old Spanish professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Liga F club Barcelona and the Spain women’s national team, has made the shortlist of players for The Best FIFA Women’s Player honors.

Aitana Bonmati,Spain, who won the Women’s World Cup for the first time in Australia last month, has three other players on the 12-name shortlist for women’s award in addition to Bonmatí.

Jenni Hermoso, Mapi León and Salma Paralluelo are also in the race to succeed La Roja midfielder Alexia Putellas by winning the trophy.

Linda Caicedo, Rachel Daly, Kadidiatou Diani, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Alex Greenwood, Amanda Ilestedt, Lauren James, Sam Kerr, Hinata Miyazawa and Keira Walsh are also nominated, with Lindsey Horan the only United States player making it onto the shortlist.

Voting for the eighth annual awards opened on Thursday on FIFA.com and closes in mid-October. National team coaches, captains, journalists and fans make up the list of voters.

Olga Carmona Scores Lone Goal to Give Spain Its First-Ever FIFA Women’s World Cup Title

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Olga Carmona will be receiving a hero’s welcome upon her return…

The 23-year-old Spanish professional footballer sealed Women’s World Cup glory for Spain in Sydney with a first-half goal that clinched a 1-0 victory against England.

Olga CarmonaCarmona had scored a stunning late goal in the 2-1 semifinal win against Sweden, and the left-back struck again to claim Spain’s first women’s world title.

European champions England had gone into the game as slight favorites, having beaten Spain on the way to winning Euro 2022 last year.

And the Lionesses went close to opening the scoring early in the game when Lauren Hemp struck the crossbar with a left-foot strike from Rachel Daly‘s pass 20 yards out.

Spain responded straightaway when Alba Redondo forced goalkeeper Mary Earps into a crucial save two minutes later.

But after Hemp saw another chance go awry with a weak effort from close range, Spain took the lead when they capitalized on Lucy Bronze losing the ball in midfield.

Spain launched a quick counterattack that saw the ball find Carmona, following a Mariona Caldentey lay-off, bursting forward down the left.

The Real Madrid Femenino defender controlled the ball before guiding a left-foot strike beyond Earps into the far corner to put Jorge Vilda‘s team ahead.

England struggled to get a foothold in the game, as Spain dominated possession and La Roja almost doubled their lead before half-time, when Salma Paralluelo hit the post in the 45th minute.

Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman made a change at half-time in attempt to turn the tide by replacing Alessia Russo and Daly with Chloe Kelly and Lauren James, but the switch made little impact as Spain continued to control the game.

Caldentey had a shot well-saved by Earps and Aitana Bonmatí sent an effort over from 20 yards before a Keira Walsh handball led to a Spain penalty following a lengthy VAR review.

Jenni Hermoso failed to score from the spot, though, as Earps dived low to her left to keep out the Spain forward’s penalty.

Despite being thrown a lifeline by their goalkeeper, though, England couldn’t find a way to get back into the game with an equaliser.

And Spain held out to win the game and lift the Women’s World Cup at Stadium Australia.

Olga Carmona Helps Lead Spain into Its First-Ever Women’s World Cup Final

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It’s the Final(s) countdown for Olga Carmona and her fellow teammates…

The 23-year-old Spanish professional footballer netted a goal in the 90th minute to help seal Spain’s place in the country’s first-ever Women’s World Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 win over experienced Sweden.

Olga Carmona,The Swedes, competing in their fifth World Cup semifinal, had allowed only two goals in their five games leading up to the match. In the first half, they continued their stubborn ways, refusing to give up a goal in the first 45 minutes for a fifth match running, and dared Spain to do more with the ball.

Elin Rubensson‘s perfectly timed tackles helped avoid danger at the back, but their loose passes in attack stifled their ability to get at La Roja.

But in the 57th minute, coach Jorge Vilda changed the complexion of the Spain attack, with Salma Paralluelo brought on in place of Alexia Putellas. And it worked, with her immediate intervention enough to tee Alba Redondo up to send a shot into the side netting.

Having opened the scoring in the quarterfinals against Netherlands in the 81st minute, Spain did the same again when the impressive Paralluelo stroked the ball into the bottom corner with the team’s first shot on target.

However, there was still plenty of time for drama, as Sweden’s own super-sub Lina Hurtig got an important touch to knock the ball into Rebecka Blomqvist‘s path for the striker to fire home an 88th-minute equalizer.

The celebrations lasted only a minute though.

After a short corner routine was worked to her outside the box, Carmona, who had been chancing her luck from range all evening, launched the ball over goalkeeper Zećira Musovic and off the underside of the bar.

Spain Women's National Soccer TeamSweden looked to atone for their slack defending in the final stages as they hunted another leveler, but it was La Roja who dug deep and kept their heads under the most intense pressure they’ve ever experienced.

Spain’s players did laps around the pitch after the final whistle and will have a chance to make history in their fourth major tournament under Vilda.

Gavi Named World’s Best Under-21 Footballer

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Gavi is celebrating his Kopa moment…

The 18-year-old Spanish professional footballer has won the Kopa Trophy, the award presented to the best player under age 21, prior to the 2022 Ballon d’Or presentation.

GaviThe Barca midfielder, who turned 18 in August, claimed the prize ahead of Borussia Dortmund‘s Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich‘s Jamal Musiala.

He succeeds Barcelona teammate Pedri, last year’s winner.

After breaking into the first-team setup at age 16 last year, Gavi went on to make 47 appearances for Barca in all competitions in 2021-22, scoring two goals.

His performances for the Catalan club earned him a call-up to the Spain national team and he became the youngest player to ever represent La Roja, at the age of 17 years and 62 days.

Gavi has since won 12 caps for Spain and is a regular for club and country heading into next month’s FIFA World Cup.

Sanchez Helps Propel Chile to Copa America Title Win Over Argentina

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Alexis Sanchez is kicking his way into the history books…

The 26-year-old Chilean soccer player, who plays for English club Arsenal and the Chilean national team, helped lead his country to its first Copa America title on Saturday.

Alexis Sanchez

Chile defeated Argentina 4-1 in the penalty shootout, which followed two hours of scoreless action on the field.

Sanchez gave his country the win after Argentines Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega failed to convert from 11 meters (36 feet), ending a drought of nearly 100 years for La Roja in the oldest international continental soccer competition.

The final at Santiago’s National Stadium was a clash of titans, an intense battle that was characterized more by the teams’ effort and hustle than artful play.

Chile won the possession battle from the outset, imposing its ball-control style against a side that also typically dominates in that facet of the game.

That led to a golden opportunity in the 11th minute for Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, who received a ball that had been lobbed in the air on a deflection by an Argentine defender and nearly booted it past goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who was forced to make a diving save.

Fourteen-time Copa America champion Argentina also had some chances in the first half, including a header at point-blank range by Sergio “Kun” Agüero that Chilean Claudio Bravo was able to deflect out of play.

In the second half, Argentine midfielders Lucas Biglia and Javier Mascherano struggled to impose any order in their team’s attack, rendering super-striker Lionel Messi unable to work any playmaking magic.

With the Chilean crowd urging them on, Jorge Sampaoli’s squad aggressively sought out the winning goal and was nearly rewarded for their efforts when a shot by Sanchez barely missed the mark in the 82nd minute.

Then on the final play of regulation, Argentina had its best scoring opportunity of the match when Ezequiel Lavezzi received the ball on the left side from Messi and sent a pass that scooted past Bravo and found Higuain, but the Argentine forward received the ball too close to the goal line and could only slam a shot into the side of the net.

The extra period was mostly uneventful, with both teams wary of making a costly error, although a miscue by Mascherano nearly ended in a goal for Sanchez in the 15th minute.

Argentine’s offensive ineptness continued in the penalty shootout, with Higuain sending his shot far over the crossbar and Bravo denying Banega’s attempt, leaving Messi as the only member of the Albiceleste to score.

Sanchez put the finishing touch on the historic victory with a soft strike that slowly bounded into the left half of the goal after Romero had dived to the other side.

Chile finally won the Copa America title match in its fifth appearance to end nearly a century of frustration at this event, which was known as the South American Championship between 1916 and 1967.

La Roja finished runner-up in 1955 (when it was also the host nation), 1956, 1979 and 1987.