Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'He was just a lovely boy from the slums of Buenos Aires who never forgot that'

'Maradona was nearly two people in one body'

Diego Maradona's former agent Jon Smith says he believes "history will be kind" to the late Argentine footballing great.

Soccer • 27 Nov 20

AVB calls for FIFA to retire No 10 in Maradona's honour

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has called on FIFA to retire the number 10 jersey for all teams in honour of the late Diego Maradona who died on Wednesday at the age of 60.

Soccer • 26 Nov 20

A father and daughter mourn as they gather by the Obelisk in Buenos Aires to pay homage to Diego Maradona

Argentina declares three days of national mourning

Argentina president Alberto Fernandez declared three days of mourning after the passing of Diego Maradona, with fans worldwide paying tribute to one of the most iconic sportspeople of all time.

Soccer • 26 Nov 20

Sanchez kicked all of Argentina's points

Argentina battle back to earn draw with Australia

Nicolas Sanchez held his nerve with the boot as Argentina hit back from 15-6 down to claim a 15-15 draw against Australia in a Tri Nations Series encounter in Newcastle that had no tries.

Rugby • 21 Nov 20

Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma (R) celebrates with Santiago Carreras after beating New Zealand

'Emotions are a good thing' - Ledesma proud of Pumas

Pumas coach Mario Ledesma was unapologetic for the tears he and his team shed after their maiden victory over the All Blacks last weekend and said that emotion was an integral part of the makeup of the Argentina team.

Rugby • 19 Nov 20

Mascherano poses with a plaque given to him by San Lorenzo soccer club to honor his career in January

Javier Mascherano calls time on stellar career

Former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.

Soccer • 16 Nov 20

Juan Figallo in action in his final match against England at last year's World Cup

Figallo hangs up his boots due to head injury

Saracens and Argentina prop Juan Figallo has retired from rugby on medical advice at the age of 32 due to a head injury.

Rugby • 12 Nov 20

Zabaleta joined City hours before the takeover by the Abu Dhabi Group

Former Man City defender Zabaleta retires

Former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has decided to bring the curtain down on his playing career after leaving West Ham over the summer.

Soccer • 16 Oct 20

Julian Montoya is one of three more Argentinians to test positive

Three more Covid-19 cases in Argentina camp

Argentina have reported three more cases of Covid-19 in their training camp as they continue preparations for the Rugby Championship in Australia.

Rugby • 16 Sep 20

Argentina coach Ledesma tests positive for coronavirus

Coach Mario Ledesma has become the latest member of the Argentina set-up to test positive for coronavirus, the country's union said.

Rugby • 11 Sep 20

Messi has won 33 major trophies with the club

Messi - Where next for the world's greatest player?

Manchester City are expected to be one of the clubs in the running to sign Lionel Messi after the Argentina international expressed his desire to leave the Nou Camp this summer.

Soccer • 26 Aug 20

Omam-Biyik: The man who stunned Argentina at Italia 90

François Omam-Biyik, who scored the famous Cameroon goal that toppled Argentina on the opening day at Italia 90, speaks to Raf Diallo about his memories of that tournament more than 30 years on.

Soccer • 14 Jun 20

"Things will never be perfect, but we've got an unbelievable opportunity"

Virus halt offers chance to sort out calendar - O'Shea

The decimation of world rugby by the coronavirus has given administrators an "unbelievable opportunity" to come up with a solution to the fixture chaos that has dogged the sport for years, Conor O'Shea has said.

Rugby • 04 Jun 20

Rob Clarke speaks to the media during a press conference at Rugby Australia headquarters in Sydney

Australia could act as Rugby Championship hub

Rugby Australia is in talks with its government about allowing New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina to enter the country and be based in a hub for a condensed Rugby Championship later in the year.

Rugby • 02 Jun 20

Argentina's Ariel Ortega celebrates his memorable goal at Lansdowne Road with Claudio Lopez

Robbie & Ortega - a tale of two No 10s

Twenty two years ago Robbie Keane made his home debut for the Republic of Ireland as Ariel Ortega exhibited his brilliance. Anthony Pyne looks back on that game and at what happened next.

Soccer • 25 Apr 20

Agustin Pichot wants a more democratic structure to international rugby

Pichot eager to shake up rugby global calendar

Agustin Pichot has staked his bid to become chairman of World Rugby on a modern, more inclusive global game that gives emerging nations a greater voice in a major shake-up of the sport.

Rugby • 14 Apr 20

Lionel Messi (L) tries to skip past Alex Sandro

Messi fires Argentina past Brazil in Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi made a successful return to international football as Argentina gained a measure of revenge on Brazil for this summer's Copa America semi-final defeat with a 1-0 win in Riyadh.

Soccer • 15 Nov 19

Joaquin Tuculet touches down for Argentina

Argentina swat Eagles aside to end World Cup on a high

Argentina secured the consolation of qualification for the 2023 World Cup as they wrapped up their 2019 campaign with a 47-17 win against the United States.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 09 Oct 19

England's George Ford celebrates scoring his sides fourth try

England down 14-man Pumas to reach quarter-finals

England capitalised on Tomas Lavanini's dismissal to secure their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable 39-10 victory over Argentina at Tokyo Stadium

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 05 Oct 19

Eddie Jones: "It's a test of manlihood so you have to take them on up-front"

Jones calls for England to prove their mettle

Eddie Jones believes England face a test of their "manlihood" when they attempt to guarantee passage into the World Cup quarter-finals by defeating Argentina.

Rugby • 04 Oct 19

Montoya hat-trick helps Argentina take care of Tonga

Argentina bounced back from their opening-round defeat to France with a 28-12 victory over Tonga in Osaka.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 28 Sep 19

Antoine Dupont of France scores his side's second try

France survive Pumas fightback to bag opening victory

France dominated the first half and just about held on in the second to edge Argentina 23-21 in a thrilling Rugby World Cup Pool C clash at the Tokyo Stadium on Saturday.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 21 Sep 19

Twenty four years on from his father's debut Romain Ntamack will make his World Cup start

Romain Ntamack part of youthful French side for opener

France head coach Jacques Brunel has put his trust in youth and backed fly-half Romain Ntamack by naming him in his starting XV for the World Cup Pool C opener against Argentina.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 20 Sep 19

Siya Kolisi evades the clutches of the Argentinan defence at Loftus Versfeld

Kolisi boost as Springboks see off Argentina

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus was delighted to get 50 minutes from regular skipper Siya Kolisi in Saturday's 24-18 Rugby World Cup warm-up win over Argentina at Loftus Versfeld.

Rugby • 17 Aug 19

Messi was shown a red car after tussle with Chile's Gary Medel

Messi hit with 3-month international ban for ref rant

The ban means Argentina will be without the Barcelona attacker for friendlies against Chile, Mexico and Germany.

Soccer • 03 Aug 19

Argentina