ARGENTINA CRUISE PAST CHILE IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Daniel Gao/Getty Images 

Argentina claimed a 3-0 home win over Chile on Thursday thanks to second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez and Paulo Dybala, to strengthen their grip on top of the South American World Cup qualifying.

The Copa América champions looked dominant and untroubled by the absence of talismans Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María, who received a tribute at the Monumental stadium after his international retirement.

Argentina opened the scoring three minutes after the break, when Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister sent the ball into the net first-time off a cross from Álvarez, who also got on the scoresheet with a long-range effort in the 84th minute.

Substitute Dybala found the net in stoppage time to seal the victory that left the World Cup winners with 18 points, five clear of second-placed Uruguay who host Paraguay on Friday.

Argentina will play at Colombia in a rematch of the Copa América final on Tuesday, while Chile hosts Bolivia, who beat Venezuela earlier on Thursday.

Game Information

Mâs Monumental

3:00 AM, September 6, 2024

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Over/Under: 2.5

Attendance: 52,160

Referees: Jesús Valenzuela

- Reuters 

PAULO DYBALA COMMITS TO ROMA, REJECTS $83M SAUDI LEAGUE OFFER

Argentina star Paulo Dybala announced on Thursday that he would remain with AS Roma, ending weeks of speculation linking him with a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah.

Multiple reports indicate that Dybala turned down an offer of €75 million ($83M) over three years.

"Thank you Rome...See you on Sunday," he said in an Instagram post.

Dybala's decision came amid a period of uncertainty about his future. He trained separately from the Roma first team on Thursday and was absent from the starting lineup in their opening Serie A match against Cagliari last Sunday.

Dybala is entering his last year of his contract with Roma but the deal has an automatic extension if he plays at least 15 official matches this season. He will earn €7.5 million plus €2 million in add-ons and bonuses.

Since joining Roma from Juventus in 2022, Dybala has established himself as a key figure in the team. In 78 appearances, he has scored 34 goals and provided 18 assists.

Roma fans had made their feelings clear last week, with protests outside the club's training ground urging the club not to transfer the star.

Dybala's commitment to Roma ignited a frenzy of joy among supporters, who gathered outside his home on Thursday night to celebrate the news.

Al Qadsiah, who made multiple attempts to secure Dybala's services since the beginning of the summer transfer window, is a newly promoted Saudi club with a star-studded roster including former Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez and ex Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Dybala's decision to stay was met with enthusiasm from his Roma and Argentina teammate Leandro Paredes. "For those who haven't understood it, he remains with us," he posted.

- ESPN News Services 

MARTINEZ SCORES AGAIN AS LEADER INTER DRAWS 1-1 AT SECOND PLACE JUVENTUS IN DERBY D’ITALIA

AP Photo 

MILAN (AP) — Lautaro Martínez scored again but Inter Milan had to be content with a share of the spoils as the Serie A leader drew 1-1 at second-place Juventus on Sunday.

Martínez’s 13th league goal of the season canceled out Dušan Vlahović’s opener in the Derby d’Italia.

Inter remained two points above Juventus. Third-place AC Milan is six points behind its city rival, with defending champion Napoli two points further back in fourth. Both Milan and Napoli played on Saturday.

Inter faces another tough trip next weekend when it visits Napoli.

It was a matchup in Turin between two fierce rivals occupying the top two spots. Inter was looking to move five points clear while Juventus knew it could leapfrog into the lead.

Both sides had early chances in a match that was intense and entertaining from the start.

PAULO DYBALA | HAPPY BIRTHDAY