Central & South America

Complete Calendar For All The Biggest Soccer Events In 2022

Soccer fans have a different circadian rhythm than others. They're up early to see what's going on in Europe, they're in bed late to follow along with Liga MX, they reach an emotional peak on Wednesday afternoons and frequently block off entire month-long periods in the summer for international festivals of footie. It's a delicate balance, but the 2022 soccer tournaments calendar is a disruptive year with the Qatar World Cup falling between Nov. 21 and Dec. 18. 

Here's all the major action between January and December of 2022.  

Welcome To The 2024 UEFA Nations League Featuring … Messi And Neymar?

The draw for the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League took place on Friday, but that wasn’t the biggest Nations League news by a longshot. A massive announcement was made that in 2024 we will see a Neymar and Lionel Messi Nations League crossover. That’s right, South America is joining the UEFA Nations League. All 10 South American members will be joining Europe's best.

Montreal Draws Santos Laguna, Pumas UNAM Gets Saprissa In CONCACAF Champions League

Montreal drew Liga MX power Santos Laguna for the most high-profile Round of 16 pairing in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, as the four MLS teams from the United States randomly drew first-round matches with clubs from Central America.

The two-legged first-round pairings will take place in the last two weeks of February, with quarterfinals scheduled in the windows of March 8-10 and March 15-17, semifinals April 5-7 and April 12-14 and the final April 26-28 and May 3-5.

One Of The Best Agüero Goals You Haven’t Seen: A 17-Year-Old On Independiente Destroying Racing Club

Sergio Agüero had an emotional farewell to the sport on Wednesday after being forced to retire at the age of 33 due to a heart condition. Fans of all clubs — even those who had Agüero as a bitter rival for so many years —fondly remembered Agüero’s career that was ended far too soon.

Pelé's Daughter Provides Update After Legend Is Hospitalized For Colon Tumor Treatment

Pelé was hospitalized for a scheduled procedure as part of his treatment for a colon tumor and the Brazilian soccer great will be home in time to spend Christmas with his family, his daughter Kely Nascimento said.

Three-time World Cup winner Pelé, who was admitted to São Paulo's Hospital Albert Einstein on Wednesday, underwent an operation to remove the tumor in September and spent nearly a month under care.

Colombian Team Earns Promotion With Goal That Absolutely Screams Match-Fixing

The Colombian soccer players’ association has called for an investigation into suspicious circumstances surrounding a key promotion match that was decided by a late goal one senior player called an “embarrassment for Colombian football."

Llaneros played Unión Magdalena at home on Saturday night and were leading 1-0 until the 95th minute, when the visitors scored twice in succession.

Video of the winning goal appeared to show the Llaneros players backing off their opponents and allowing them to score.

There’s No Reason To Be Doing Anything But Watching Vinícius Jr. Right Now

It wasn’t a convincing win but Real Madrid defeated Athletic Club 1-0 on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabéu to open a seven-point lead over Atlético at the top of LaLiga (although los Colchoneros maintain a game in hand).

Athletic doesn’t make it easy for anyone — the Basque side entered this match with the division’s best defensive record after conceding 10 goals through 14 matches — but they came up against two of the planet’s most in-form players in Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior, and it was ultimately that duo that made the difference.

Brazilian Legend Formiga Retires 26 Years After Her International Debut

Miraildes Maciel Mota is known by most Brazilian soccer fans by her nickname: Formiga, meaning "ant" in Portuguese. It is a testament to her tireless work on the pitch and unselfish play — much like the way an ant contributes to its colony.

Nightmare Mistake In The Back From Flamengo Sends Palmeiras To Copa Libertadores Crown

Deyverson, a 30-year-old forward who has played in Portugal, Germany, Spain and Brazil, may have scored the biggest goal of his career on Saturday in Montevideo, Uruguay. Deyverson pounced on a horrible miscue from the Flamengo defense to help Palmeiras lift the 2021 Copa Libertadores trophy after a 2-1 win in extra time.

Brazil-Argentina Referees Indefinitely Suspended For 'Serious And Manifest Errors’

The referee and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) who officiated in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina have been suspended for "serious errors,” the South American soccer governing body CONMEBOL said.

An incident in the goalless draw where Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi appeared to elbow Raphinha — which left the Brazilian winger with a bloody mouth — went unpunished and CONMEBOL said the use of his arm amounted to "violent conduct.”

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