South America

Teenage sensation and cancer survivor Linda Caicedo shines in Colombia's win over South Korea

Linda Caicedo was a stellar figure in Colombia's 2-0 victory over South Korea in the Women's World Cup on Monday. The 18-year-old scored one of the winning goals, set a couple of historic records and became an inspirational tale by fulfilling her biggest dreams after surviving cancer.

Colombia's hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 needed a gleaming performance in their opening game of the tournament. And the penalty bagged by Catalina Usme at the half-hour mark was the perfect start to their journey.

Stop what you're doing and watch Brazil's artfully constructed team goal

You know it's got to be something special when you record a hat trick at the World Cup but the lasting memory of your performance is an audacious assist.

That was the case for 23-year-old Brazil forward Ary Borges, who grabbed three goals in her first appearance at the World Cup during the Seleção's 4-0 clattering of Panama. 

Borges, who plays for Racing Louisville in the NWSL, had Brazil up 2-0 before halftime with a brace. Then, three minutes into the second half, she created Bia Zaneratto's third for Brazil with an unselfish heel flick.

Women's World Cup odds: Is there any hope outside of USA or England?

With an expanded 32-team tournament and matches across Australia and New Zealand, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup (beginning with a crowd of over 100,000 for the Matildas opener against Ireland) is going to be the best in the competition's 32-year history.

The USWNT is favored for a three-peat but that's never been done before, and there will be fierce competition from European champions England, two-time world champs Germany and teams looking to take the next step like France and Spain. 

Amateur player kills himself two days after a video of him assaulting a ref went viral

Next to the railroad tracks and with a gunshot to his head. That's how the Argentine police found the body of Williams Tapón, a 24-year-old amateur soccer player that went viral over the weekend in the South American country after a video of him assaulting a referee during a local league emerged online.

What happened?

Following a series of controversial calls made by referee Ariel Paniagua during a game played last Saturday, Tapón got riled up when a teammate was sent off and decided to attack the official by punching and kicking his head.

Remember Alexandre Pato? This is him now. Feel old yet?

On the one hand, Alexandre Pato isn't old — he's only 33. On the other, memories of his footballing career belong to the wizened generations. It's been a decade since his last appearance for Brazil and 12 years since that unforgettable goal against Barcelona.  

No VAR needed: Player sent off after dropping his pants and urinating on the field

When you have to pee, you have to pee. That's probably what Argentino de Merlo midfielder Leonel Ovejero was thinking when struck by the natural urge, so he decided to drop his pants and proceeded to urinate on the field where the game between his team and Sacachispas was being played.

Little did he know the act would cost him a straight red card.

Goalkeeper unleashes brutal flying kick on opponent, says it was not his fault

A Copa Sudamericana match between Peruvian side Universitario de Deportes and Argentina's Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata didn't end well. After losing the game and being kicked out of the competition, Gimnasia players went into sore-loser mode and started a gigantic fight on the pitch.

Brazilian defensive midfielder scores ridiculous 25-yard piss-missile bicycle kick game-winner

Brazilian defensive midfielder Guilherme Madruga scored a spectacular bicycle kick from distance in the second tier of Brazil on Tuesday to secure a 1-0 win for his club Botafogo-SP.

Madruga had yet to score a goal for the club this season, but on his 28th appearance he unleashed a Puskás-worthy strike.

It's a friendly, Leo, go easy on them! Messi scores hat trick on 36th birthday

It's probably for the best that Lionel Messi was way too busy to watch Inter Miami play on Saturday night. While the Herons were getting smacked 4-1 by Philadelphia for a seventh consecutive defeat in MLS, Messi was celebrating his 36th birthday in his hometown of Rosario and playing in a testimonial match for Newell's Old Boys legend Maxi Rodríguez.

Senegal put FOUR past Brazil as Sadio Mané scores a brace

Brazil's legendary national team has played 89 different countries over the course of its storied history but only two nations have managed to face the Seleção without tasting defeat. Norway, surprisingly, has a record of two wins and two draws against Brazil (including a famous victory at the '98 World Cup), and the other nation actually beat them on Tuesday: Senegal.

Pages