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Fútbol

noviembre 20, 2024

Clasificatorias del Mundial 2026: Grandes incógnitas de CONMEBOL

Write informative laconic excerpt under 30 words in mexican spanish for news below. Do not wrap it into quotation marks or html tags. Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in South America kicked off with six rounds last year, less than nine months after Lionel Messi and Argentina won the 2022 final in Qatar.Since September, another six have been played, leaving the campaign two thirds complete. From now on, things are a little more spaced out with double-headers in late March, early June and mid-September.So, after the latest frantic burst of matches, what are the big questions hanging over the teams as they prepare for their final push to reach the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.Argentina1st place: 25 points (goal difference, +14)Is a glorious era coming to a close?Tuesday's 1-0 win over Peru took Argentina to 25 points. In all of the previous 10-team campaigns, that has been enough to guarantee sixth place. Since the top six teams qualify automatically for 2026, we can safely conclude that with a third of the matches still to go, the World Cup holders have already done enough to ensure they will be there in North America to defend their crown.And yet. There is a vague sense of unease around, perhaps best expressed by Juan Pablo Varsky, one of the country's leading football writers. After last week's 2-1 defeat to Paraguay, he wrote that the Peru game would "represent something very important -- the end of the nucleus that we have come to know as the best Argentina side ever."He is referring to a feeling that the current team may have passed its peak -- that Ángel Di María is impossible to replace, that Messi's international future remains uncertain, perhaps to a view that the side needs a rethink. Can Messi operate together with both Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez? Probably not against the best sides. "The moment has come," Varsky concluded, "to renew, change, look for alternatives." We will soon find out if coach Lionel Scaloni agrees with him.Uruguay2nd: 20 (+8)Has the storm passed?This time last year, Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay had just beaten Brazil and Argentina, and were the continent's in-form team. The coach appeared an excellent fit for an ageing side in need of a changing of the guard.But things started to go wrong during the Copa América. The long-term injury to Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araújo has sent shudders all through the side, and then there is the question of the relationship between a notoriously eccentric coach and his players. After retiring from international football, Luis Suárez went public with a list of complaints that seemed to be widely shared in the dressing room, and suddenly Uruguay were plunged into crisis. They failed to score for four games, even managing to lose to Peru, and more poor results this month might have made the situation unsustainable. And the opponents were tough.But Uruguay rallied for a dramatic win over Colombia and a battling draw away to Brazil. Bielsa's decisions paid off: leaving Manuel Ugarte, by the coach's admission the best player of his reign, out of the starting lineup against Colombia; taking Darwin Núñez off at half-time against Brazil worked out OK. Uruguay seem to be back on course.Ecuador3rd: 19 (+7)Have they found the missing piece?Ecuador have a claim to be the most solid side in CONMEBOL qualifying. Were it not for a three-point penalty they would be second in the table. Tuesday's 1-0 win away to Colombia might be the best performance of the entire campaign -- both for the way they controlled the game for the first 20 minutes. and also for how they defended for over an hour after having Piero Hincapié sent off.The defensive unit is extremely impressive. Just four goals conceded in 12 games tells its own story. Ecuador have a magnificent crop of centre-backs, and Moisés Caicedo spearheads a dynamic, athletic midfield. The problem is at the other end, where there is a dearth of strikers. Ecuador remain over-dependent on Enner Valencia -- whose winner against Colombia was superb, but who is now at the veteran stage. There are few alternatives. Kevin Rodríguez is a willing tryer, but not a consistent goal threat. Leo Campana struggles physically at this level.But at least Gonzalo Plata is back. The strong, left-footed winger was a star of Ecuador's excellent under-20 side of 2019. Since then his nomadic career has proved wayward, on and off the pitch. He recently joined Flamengo in Brazil, and after an uneasy start is beginning to flower. He was a big plus point for Ecuador in this month's games, and if he can stay consistent he can add greatly to the team's firepower.Colombia4th: 19 (+5)How will the coach react to his first crisis?Nestor Lorenzo went two years unbeaten with Colombia until falling to Argentina in the final of the Copa América. His team were still the only unbeaten side in the World Cup qualifiers -- but they have now lost three of their last four matches. This is new territory for Lorenzo and his men.True, all three were narrow, single-goal defeats. But how much will this sequence shake the faith of the dressing room? Will there be a serious rethink? James Rodríguez is vital to the team, but at what point does his lack of activity at club level become a problem? Will Jhon Durán be trusted to become the regular first-choice centre-forward? At the moment that role often belongs to Jhon Córdoba, but the more the coach insists with him the more chances he misses.Next up, at the end of March, with Duran once more suspended, is the visit to Brazil, a game where Colombia can expect to be seriously tested. After that one, most of the remaining fixtures look easier, but another defeat (a fourth in five games) could open up the wounds of a generation of players still suffering from the trauma of missing out on the Qatar World Cup. Colombia will surely be present in 2026. A few months ago it seemed as if they might even travel to North America as one of the tournament surprises. Can they preserve that belief?playWhat happened to Messi in Argentina's loss vs. Paraguay?Herculez Gomez reacts to Lionel Messi's performance in Argentina's 2-1 loss against Paraguay.Brazil5th: 18 (+6)What is stopping Brazil playing to their potential?Many of those present in a half-full stadium in Salvador jeered the home side on Tuesday after Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Uruguay. Fifth place after 12 games is a poor return for a team with such talent -- most national sides would die to have Brazil's goalkeepers, centre-backs and especially their wingers.But perhaps therein lies the problem. Brazil's talent is unevenly distributed around the pitch. There are more strikers in wide spaces than they can use. One of them, Raphinha, is now operating more centrally. When they go at speed in space it can be exhilarating, with the opposing defence at full stretch to hold them. But it can all be too frenetic, too direct, without pauses and changes in rhythm. And also, crucially, the way the side is set up is leaving Brazil too open in central midfield. In game after game they are conceding because the opposition are given too much space in front of Brazil's defensive line.The good news is that there should be no lingering doubts about qualifying for 2026. They were dismissed by last month's victories over the bottom two teams in the table. This gives coach Dorival Júnior time to improve the balance of his side -- and on the road to 2026, he should welcome the fact that he has some tricky games ahead. Every one of them is invaluable practice, because there is a lot of work ahead if the team are to make good on Dorival's promise and make it all the way to the next World Cup final.Paraguay6th: 17 (+1)How on earth have they done it?After last year's six rounds Paraguay had only five points and just one goal to their name. Things then got worse. In the Copa América they were knocked out in the group phase after losing all three matches. But now they look well on course to make it to their first World Cup since 2010. In this year's six rounds they picked up more points than anyone else, despite a difficult run of fixtures. This has been an extraordinary turn around, and most of the credit has to go to Gustavo Alfaro, their third coach of the campaign.A late choice to take charge of Ecuador in the last World Cup cycle, Alfaro took instantly to national team football. In a lengthy history in his native Argentina, Alfaro had performed best with smaller teams who are able to play on the counter-attack. This has made him a good fit for his national teams. He did a fine job with Ecuador and seems to be doing an even better one with Paraguay. Low-key, unflashy, he is an excellent defensive organiser whose teams can also carry an attacking threat.He has been greatly boosted by the return to fitness of Brighton & Hove Albion's Julio Enciso, who missed last year's games through injury. And two wins from the remaining six games might be enough to get Paraguay over the line.Herculez Gomez and Sebastian Salazar debate the biggest storylines and break down the best highlights that soccer in the Americas has to offer. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only) Bolivia7th: 13 (-14)Do the numbers add up?Bolivia always seemed likely to benefit from the expansion of the World Cup. They are so strong at home -- at the extreme altitude of La Paz -- that they could hope to make it to their first World Cup since 1994 without picking up points on the road.But they got off to a disastrous start, losing their first two home games. The situation called for desperate measures. This year they have moved their home base even higher, to the stadium in El Alto, which makes life even harder for unacclimatised opponents. And then came September's shock win away to Chile, their first victory on the road in World Cup qualification for over 30 years.It seemed, then, just a case of winning the remaining home games. But they have just dropped two points with a 2-2 draw with Paraguay. This puts the pressure on. There are three more home matches. Win them and Bolivia go to 21 points -- probably not enough to finish in the top six, but likely to be sufficient to come seventh and have the chance of a play off.Venezuela8th: 12 (-4)On the road to heartbreak?A year ago, after six rounds, Venezuela were lying fourth in the table -- above Brazil -- and dreaming of finally making their World Cup debut. Such belief was reinforced by a promising Copa América. But the subsequent six rounds have proved extremely disappointing. Venezuela did not win a single game and added only three points, the lowest total of any side. The 2026 dream is in serious danger of slipping away. There have been injury problems, especially to Yangel Herrera, the team's best midfielder, and time is perhaps finally catching up with centre-forward Salomón Rondón.But all is not lost. Venezuela remain strong at their home base of Maturin. In the course of these last six matches they drew at home with Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. The remaining home matches include Peru and Bolivia. After eight rounds without a win, Venezuela have it within them to get back in contention for the playoff slot. But can they cope with a situation where a win is a necessity rather than a bonus?Chile9th: 9 (-11)Can coach Gareca pull off a miracle?Peru were dreadful before the arrival of Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca, and have been dreadful once more since his departure. While he was in charge, those same players reached their first World Cup since 1982 and came very close to another.Can Gareca do something similar with Chile? His reign has been a massive disappointment so far. But Tuesday's 4-2 win over Venezuela leaves Chile just four points behind Bolivia, who are currently in the playoff position. This hardly seems justified. Chile have been so poor -- even losing at home to Bolivia -- that they are extremely lucky to still be in with the remotest chance of making it to 2026. But, as we have seen, Gareca has a track record.Perhaps the bigger question is this -- how come the Copa América champions of 2015 and 2016 have declined so much? No replacements have appeared for the golden generation, youth development work has been substandard and the transformation of Chile's clubs into business, held up as a panacea 15 years ago, has not had the desired results. Nevertheless, the possibility of 2026 redemption exists -- although it will almost certainly need a win away to Bolivia in June. If Gareca can find a way to win that game, then he really will be a miracle worker.Peru10th: 7 (-12)Did anyone really expect anything better?A dismal total of three goals in 12 games tells its own story. Uruguayan coach Jorge Fossati, the second of the campaign, has tried to make his team solid, with his favourite back three system. But it has come at the cost of posing an attacking threat. The sad fact is that he has little to work with. Approaching his 41st birthday, Paolo Guerrero is still the centre-forward.Peruvian football is going through a dismal time. The last time one of the country's clubs made it out of the group phase in the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League, was back in 2013. Peru has just lost the right to stage the continent's U20 competition at the start of next year. The president of the local football association was recently arrested, accused of heading a criminal organisation. It is no surprise that Peru sit at the bottom of the table. ,La CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 se acerca a su definición, ¿qué esperar de Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia y Brasil en su camino hacia Norteamérica?

La CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 se acerca a su definición, ¿qué esperar de Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia y Brasil en su camino hacia Norteamérica?

Deportes de combate

noviembre 20, 2024

Mikey Musumeci: De ONE Championship a UFC, nueva era.

Mikey Musumeci Explains Why he Left ONE for the UFC: “We don’t have to question if they’ll have money a year from now.”

Mikey Musumeci firma con UFC, dejando título de grappling de submission en ONE Championship. Busca expandir UFC en Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Deportes de combate

noviembre 20, 2024

Regreso anticipado: Stamp Fairtex se prepara para regresar a las MMA

Stamp Fairtex Promises a Comeback and Reveals Her 2025 Return Plans After Knee Injury ‘I lost my focus.’

La estrella de MMA Stamp Fairtex se retira temporalmente tras una grave lesión en la rodilla. Regresará en 2025.

Deportes de combate

noviembre 20, 2024

Final de Peso Pluma PFL: ¡Khizriev vs. Loughnane en Riyadh!

Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev – Odds and Match Preview

En la final de PFL MMA, Khizriev es favorito con altas probabilidades sobre Loughnane. Pelean en Riyadh.

Fútbol

noviembre 20, 2024

Inversores estadounidenses muestran interés en comprar Genoa-Serie A

Write informative laconic excerpt under 30 words in mexican spanish for news below. Do not wrap it into quotation marks or html tags. Multiple U.S. investors are among the parties to express an initial interest in buying Serie A side Genoa with the existing owners seeking up to €170 million ($180m) to sell the club, sources have told ESPN.Investment bank Moelis & Company have been instructed to begin a search for potential suitors after owners 777 Partners lost control of their multi-club portfolio to their biggest creditor, U.S. insurance specialists A-CAP.In contrast to other clubs under 777 Partners ownership including Belgian Pro League side Standard Liege and Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama, Genoa is not a distressed asset.Sources told ESPN they will make a profit for the 2023-24 season before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation when the accounts are made public. Genoa, the oldest club in Italy, fired coach Alberto Gilardino on Tuesday and replaced him with Patrick Vieira.They have undergone a radical financial transformation under CEO Andres Blazquez. The club reported a €42.3m loss in 2021 and a €61.7m loss in 2022 but drastic cuts to the wage bill, streamlining of the squad and increased revenue from sponsorship deals have improved their financial outlook.Genoa, who are 17th in Serie A, have undergone a radical financial transformation under CEO Andres Blazquez. Image Photo Agency/Getty ImagesEarlier this year, Genoa sold Mateo Retegui to Atalanta, Radu Dragusin to Tottenham and Josep Martínez to Inter Milan for combined fees in the region of €68m.They still finished in 11th place last season -- the highest position of any newly promoted side in Europe's top five leagues -- and Genoa's attractive overall position has led to interest from several overseas funds, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.The U.S. parties showing an early interest remain unnamed given the formative stage of negotiations as the sale process only recently began.Sources added that Genoa are inviting offers between €150m and €170m with a hope that a sale can be completed by the end of the season. ,Inversores estadounidenses muestran interés en comprar el Genoa de la Serie A por hasta €170 millones. El club italiano busca comprador para fin de temporada.

Inversores estadounidenses muestran interés en comprar el Genoa de la Serie A por hasta €170 millones. El club italiano busca comprador para fin de temporada.

Fútbol

noviembre 20, 2024

Viktor Gyökeres lidera la tabla de goleadores

El delantero sueco Viktor Gyökeres anotó cuatro goles en la victoria por 6-0 sobre Azerbaiyán, convirtiéndose en el máximo goleador de la Nations League.