BRAZIL crashed out of the Copa America in dramatic fashion last night, failing to score a single one of their four penalties after their quarter-final with Paraguay went to a shootout after the game finished scoreless after extra-time.

Manchester United winger Nani will be under the spotlight as he looks to fill the void left by injured captain Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal host Chile in an international friendly on Saturday night.

Carlos Tevez has been left out of Argentina’s squad for the friendly with Portugal on February 9 in Switzerland but national team boss Sergio Batista does not want the Manchester City striker to be worried by his omission.

The Argentinian Football Association have confirmed Sergio Batista as the head coach of the national team on a permanent basis.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury today by undertaking an individual training programme.

Pablo Zabaleta sees no reason why Argentina caretaker boss Sergio Batista cannot be handed the reins on a permanent basis and go on to take them to the 2014 World Cup.

WELL, there goes the unbeaten record at the Aviva.

IT may have been a chastening evening on the pitch but the news was better away from it with confirmation that Giovanni Trapattoni will be back on his feet in good time for the opening Euro 2010 qualifier in Yerevan.

Republic of Ireland 0 Argentina 1

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle failed a fitness test on a calf injury for tonight’s friendly against Argentina.

LIKE a glitzy film premiere where the lead fails to show, Diego Maradona’s absence from the Aviva Stadium tonight has stripped the event of some of its star quality.

Argentina will use tomorrow night’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland to rid from their system their horrifying World Cup exit.

FORMER Argentina star Ossie Ardiles believes tomorrow’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium has taken on added significance since the departure of national team boss Diego Maradona.

NO Maradona in the dugout, more’s the pity, but Argentina will certainly not be lacking in star quality on the pitch when they play the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday.

NO Maradona in the dugout, more’s the pity, but Argentina will certainly not be lacking in star quality on the pitch when they play the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday.

The Argentinian Football Association have announced they will not name a new coach to succeed Diego Maradona until October at the earliest.

Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona has confirmed there is no shortlist yet in place to succeed Diego Maradona as national team manager.

DIEGO MARADONA won’t be in Dublin for Ireland’s glamour friendly with Argentina after the Argentina FA’s executive committee last night opted not to renew his contract.

Diego Maradona will make trips to England and Scotland in the first month of his spell as Argentina manager.

Diego Maradona will be confirmed as the new Argentina coach next Tuesday, according to the Argentina Football Association National Team’s secretary, Luis Segura.

DIEGO MARADONA has been offered the job of Argentina coach after meeting with AFA president Julio Grondona last night.

Barcelona are still hoping to prevent Lionel Messi from playing in the Beijing Olympics, confirmed sporting director Txiki Begiristain.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been named in Argentina’s Olympic squad.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set to discuss with Javier Mascherano the Argentinian’s possible participation in this summer’s Olympic Games.