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Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, said that no one could take the place of Lionel Messi, speaking through tears after a 3-0 victory over Benin that marked Messi's departure from the national team. For Scaloni, who won four major titles with Messi as his captain, the partnership was more than he had hoped for. "It was truly like a dream come true," he said. "I never thought I could be the coach of the best player in history.” His voice grew heavy as he went on. "We will be grateful to him forever for giving us the chance to be with him," he said. "My eyes are watering, because there is so much going through my head right now," he said. "It will hurt not to see him anymore." Under Scaloni, with Messi leading the team, Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2024 Copa America. Messi scored once and set up two goals against Benin in his farewell match. Asked about Argentina's future without Messi, Scaloni said there was no easy way to fill the void. Where, then, would the team find another Messi? "Nowhere," he said. "We are working with young players now," he said. "This process will go on. But the feeling of having Messi next to you, nothing compares to it." Scaloni tried to explain what made Messi different. "I have never seen such an aura in anyone else in my life," he said. Then he seemed to remind himself of what had changed. "The player who could make a win possible in an impossible match with his extraordinary talent is no longer with you," he said.

Argentina is facing a once-unthinkable reality: a national team without soccer great Lionel Messi. On Tuesday, 39-year-old Messi ended his 21-year international career after scoring 126 goals, winning two Copa América titles and a World Cup championship. He scored a penalty and assisted Argentina's other two goals in a 3-0 victory over Benin. What would otherwise have been an ordinary friendly against the West African side turned into a moment the soccer-obsessed nation had long feared. "It feels like an era is ending, knowing he won't play for the national team anymore," said Valentino Ruso, 17, who was on his way to a friend's house in Buenos Aires to watch the match. "I'm sad. I think everyone is upset today. He will be missed." Argentines had a passionate and often harsh relationship with the shy boy who left his hometown of Rosario at 13 to join the youth academy of Spanish club Barcelona. As he developed into a global icon of almost mythical status, his compatriots both adored and criticized him, at times questioning his commitment to his homeland and accusing him of being indifferent to it. By the end of his remarkable international career, however, there was no longer any doubt about Messi's devotion to Argentina. Nor was there any doubt about Argentina's affection for its most famous export, whose successes reminded the country of its ability to achieve greatness despite years of political and economic instability. "Argentines often say, 'Thank God I was born at a time when I could experience the miracle of watching Messi play,'" said Andrés Rabinovich, a University of Chicago scholar who has researched soccer's role in Argentine culture. "It's hard living in Argentina. Soccer is often one of the few things that offers you some respite, some joy." For years, Argentines debated when and how Messi should leave the international stage. His Aug. 31 announcement that he would retire from the national team, weeks after Argentina's defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, triggered an outpouring of gratitude and sadness, although Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. "I don't know if there has ever been a love story between a player and a nation as great as the one you built," teammate Rodrigo De Paul wrote on Instagram. The Argentine soccer federation transformed Tuesday's game — Messi's 208th — into a national farewell dubbed "the last tango." More than 85,000 tickets for Buenos Aires' largest stadium sold out within 90 minutes. Tickets initially priced at around $60-$300 later sold for more than $2,500 on resale sites. Players from Argentina's 1978, 1986 and 2022 World Cup-winning teams also returned to the stadium to bid farewell to Messi. After the final whistle, Messi's eyes glistened as his teammates surrounded him and applauded. A roaring chorus of "Olé, olé, olé, olé, Messi, Messi" swept through the stands as tens of thousands of fans jumped, sang and bowed toward him. A banner at midfield declared him the "Eternal Captain." "Even through the worst moments we went through, I never stopped fighting, battling, giving everything I had, wanting to always be here," Messi told the crowd, which erupted as though he had scored. "I love all of you, and I will miss all of you. I am proud to be Argentine." Winning over his own Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Messi collected trophies with his club and won devoted fans from Barcelona to Bangladesh. But a major international title with Argentina remained beyond his reach. While the rest of the world saw a supernatural talent, some Argentines viewed him as an outsider who had never played professionally in Argentina and appeared unable to handle the enormous expectations placed on him. Argentine fans chanted "Diego, Diego," referring to Diego Maradona, the larger-than-life hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph and reminding Messi of the standard he had yet to reach. Messi's quiet personality, sharply contrasting with Maradona's defiant swagger, also fueled questions about his patriotism. After Argentina suffered a third straight final defeat in 2016, Messi briefly retired from international soccer. "There's some resentment by the people that stay in Argentina for those who leave, this sense of, 'They think they're better than us,'" said Rabinovich, who identifies with Messi as a fellow teenage migrant. Rabinovich moved to Canada during Argentina's 2001 economic crisis, around the time Messi moved to Europe. "The old-school Argentines would say, 'Diego is the Argentine. Messi is soft, a little Spanish boy,'" he said. The turning point came in 2021, when Argentina defeated Brazil to win the Copa América, South America's championship, for the first time in 28 years. Messi fell to the ground as his jubilant teammates ran to embrace him. The player who had long been accused of lacking emotion for his country could not stop crying. "Winning clearly disarmed his critics. That's how soccer works in Argentina," said Diego Murzi, a sports sociologist at Conicet, Argentina's national scientific research council. "Criticism of things off the field goes hand in hand with defeats on it," he said. The following year's World Cup victory in Qatar cemented Messi's status as a national hero. He had secured the one major prize that had eluded him, prompting millions of Argentines to pour into the streets in celebration, chanting his name and wearing his No. 10 jersey. "I'll never forget it. I'd never experienced anything like that, being out there with everyone, celebrating together," said Antonia Correa, 70, a kiosk owner, as she waited for a bus in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. "We saw that he wasn't just an extraordinary player, but an excellent human being," she said. In recent weeks, Argentine newspapers have been filled with nostalgic tributes, while murals celebrating Messi have appeared across the country. La Nación, one of Argentina's leading newspapers, released "Immortal," a documentary about his final World Cup campaign, and published a 196-page special edition dedicated to his career. Since June, a 26-meter (85-foot) statue of Messi kneeling with the World Cup trophy has stood over passing motorists in Patagonia. On Tuesday, Buenos Aires' iconic Obelisk was illuminated in sky blue and white, the colors of the national flag, while news websites followed every minute of the Benin friendly as though it were a World Cup final. A jersey without an heir Across Argentina, fans who grew up watching Messi as their parents watched Maradona have covered their bodies with tattoos honoring the soccer star, including portraits of him kissing the World Cup trophy. It was easy to imagine that the world's greatest player would always be one of their own. But ahead of his farewell, Messi's No. 10 jersey had no designated successor, with coach Lionel Scaloni saying the decision would have to wait. "I don't think we'll have somebody like him again, somebody with that sort of enduring power," said Pablo Brescia, a University of South Florida professor who writes about Argentine culture and soccer. "Like Maradona, he'll be unique — a figure that can't be repeated." Messi's contract with Inter Miami runs through the 2028 season. But the ritual of watching him carry Argentina's hopes and anxieties into every match has come to an end. "Watching Messi play, you felt anything could happen," Murzi said. "I've seen him do things that I don't think I'll ever see another player do."

Lionel Messi is set to play his final match for Argentina on Tuesday, ending a 21-year international career that transformed his relationship with the country and left the national team facing an uncertain transition after the greatest period in its history. The 39-year-old forward makes his 208th appearance for Argentina against Benin at River Plate's Estadio Monumental. He leaves as the country's record appearance holder and leading scorer, with 125 goals, after winning the 2021 and 2024 Copa Americas and the 2022 World Cup. Messi also led Argentina through this year's World Cup, where they reached the final before losing to Spain. He subsequently announced his international retirement on Aug. 31. His departure closes an era that once seemed unlikely to end this way. Messi spent much of his early international career under intense criticism from Argentines who compared him unfavorably with Diego Maradona and questioned his commitment to the national team. That changed after Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, ending a 28-year wait for a major title. The 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar completed Messi's transformation from a divisive figure into a national icon, while another Copa America title in 2024 further cemented his status. The affection became especially evident during Argentina's World Cup celebrations in Buenos Aires in 2022, when millions took to the streets to celebrate the team's victory. Messi's final tournament was marked by both sporting success and personal loss. His father, Jorge Messi, died in August at 68, shortly after the World Cup. Messi had played through the tournament while his father's illness was largely kept from him by his family. Argentina must now replace not only its captain but also the player who has worn its No. 10 shirt since 2009. There have been calls for the Argentine Football Association to retire the number in Messi's honor, as it has done for no national player. But FIFA regulations require teams competing in its tournaments to assign consecutive squad numbers, meaning Argentina cannot permanently retire the No. 10 shirt for World Cup and other FIFA competition. The shirt could eventually go to an established player such as Alexis Mac Allister, who wears No. 10 for Liverpool, or to one of the country's emerging creative players, including Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono. Coach Lionel Scaloni has said the shirt will eventually belong to a player who makes it his own. Whoever wears it, however, will inherit an extraordinary burden. Messi's successors will not be expected simply to fill a position but to follow Maradona and Messi, two of Argentina's defining football figures. Scaloni's future is also uncertain, while several members of the generation that won Argentina's recent titles are approaching the end of their international careers. Argentina therefore enters its next era without a realistic replacement for Messi. The challenge will be less about finding another No. 10 than building a team capable of succeeding without a player who shaped the country's footballing identity for two decades. Messi's farewell, meanwhile, offers a final measure of how dramatically that relationship changed. The player once criticized for not being Argentine enough now leaves the national team as a figure few in the country are willing to imagine replacing.

Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the World Cup champions face Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental, bringing an emotional chapter of the country's football history to a close. The 39-year-old forward leaves behind a remarkable international career spanning two decades, highlighted by Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, two other World Cup final appearances in 2014 and 2026, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and a national-record 125 goals. Messi's departure inevitably raises questions about whether Argentina can maintain its place among the world's elite or face another prolonged wait for major silverware, similar to the 35-year trophy drought that followed Diego Maradona's era. “Messi leaves behind something unequaled,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We have to keep playing, but the feeling of having him on the pitch is unique.” Scaloni, who is in advanced talks to extend his contract for another four years, remains confident about Argentina's future. “The Argentine national team will endure. We will remain at a high level, I have no doubt about that,” he said. A new generation emergesArgentina have already shown signs of life beyond Messi, winning their first two matches without him by convincing margins last week. They defeated Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0, with several emerging players making their mark. Established stars including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defender Cristian Romero, midfielder Enzo Fernández and striker Lautaro Martínez remain central to the team, while younger talents such as Nicolás Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Gianluca Prestianni and Leonel Flores are pushing for bigger roles. Paz, who plays for Italian club Como, scored against Burkina Faso and has been viewed by supporters as one of the leading candidates to carry Argentina forward. Flores, a Boca Juniors academy product who made his professional debut only two months ago, has already received senior international experience. “There's a changing of the guard; maybe we have to play differently now, not thinking in terms of ‘Messi and 10 others,’ but rather as a unified team,” Argentina supporter Cristian Versalles, 55, told AP. His 23-year-old son Ramiro also pointed to the depth of emerging talent, saying there is “definitely a new generation ready to step up.” Lautaro Martínez, meanwhile, continues to strengthen his place in Argentina's history. His goal against Burkina Faso took his international tally to 42, making him the country's third-highest scorer. For Argentina fans, Messi's departure is emotional, but many remain confident about the team's prospects. “As long as the players are eager to give their all for the shirt, for me, Argentina will remain a contender,” supporter Valentina Gago, 20, said. Argentina's next major test without Messi will come at the 2028 Copa América.  

A pink cockatoo has been chosen as the official emblem of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane, beating out other Australian icons such as the kangaroo, koala and bin chicken following an accidental social media leak. The emblem was officially launched Monday, several days after organizers held an emergency news conference to address the premature release of the design. The Olympic emblem features a crest depicting a pink cockatoo, an Australian bird, with colors styled to evoke the Olympic and Paralympic flame and a shape representing Queensland, the host state. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the emblems celebrate the city and its lifestyle. “They reflect the Brisbane people know and love: vibrant, resilient, connected, friendly, playful and a little bit cheeky,” Schrinner said, adding that they also symbolize the growing excitement ahead of the Games. Organizers said the designs incorporate First Nations elements, noting that cockatoos are regarded as messengers carrying cultural significance and connecting people with places, stories and ceremonies. The emblems are separate from the official Games mascot, which will be announced closer to the event. The designs were accidentally revealed Friday night when an explanatory video intended to be released after a planned ceremonial event briefly appeared on the Brisbane 2032 YouTube channel. Screenshots quickly spread across social media. Brisbane 2032 vice president Tim Mander and Chief Marketing Officer Brent Hill said at a weekend news conference that the leak turned into an unexpected publicity opportunity. Hill said the resulting attention had been “incredible.” Brisbane 2032 Chairman Andrew Liveris said the emblems would help highlight the region’s unique character and encourage people worldwide to visit, invest and participate in the Games. Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy, who attended Monday’s launch, praised the design, saying it represented Brisbane well and had “soul.” Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, chair of the IOC coordination commission for the 2032 Games, described the emblems as a “vibrant expression” of the region. Brisbane will host the Games alongside venues in cities including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Australia has previously hosted the Summer Olympics in Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

France coach Zinedine Zidane secured his first home victory in charge as his side came from behind to beat Belgium 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, while Roberto Mancini also celebrated his first home win since returning to lead Italy. France scored four goals in the final 14 minutes through substitutes Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise, who netted twice, to turn around a match in which they had trailed until the 77th minute. “Tonight, this is soccer, this is what we love,” Zidane said. He acknowledged that France had struggled in the first half but praised the team's response after the break. The victory strengthened France's position at the top of Group A1, three points ahead of second-placed Italy, who defeated Turkey 3-1. Belgium remained third, four points behind France, while Turkey stayed without a point. Zidane began his tenure with victories over Turkey and Belgium before France drew with Italy in his home debut on Friday. Olise praised the team's collective effort, saying the players had followed Zidane's ideas well over their last four matches. France have yet to secure a place in the quarterfinals. A victory over Belgium combined with an Italian failure to beat Turkey would have guaranteed France a top-two finish in the group. France's substitutes turn the game around Belgium took the lead at the Stade de France in the 35th minute when Dodi Lukébakio broke through the offside trap to meet a long pass from Roméo Lavia. He raced clear of France debutant goalkeeper Guillaume Restes and fired the ball into the net. France levelled in the 77th minute as Doué sent a low shot into the bottom-right corner. Four minutes later, Cherki put France ahead in an unusual fashion. Belgium goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt appeared ready to save his shot, but the ball struck his foot before rebounding off his left arm and crossing the goal line. Olise, who assisted Cherki's goal, then scored twice within three minutes to complete France's emphatic comeback. Zidane praised the impact of his substitutes but stressed that the victory reflected the efforts of the entire squad. Italy beat Turkey for first home win In Bologna, Mancini recorded his first home victory since returning as Italy coach. Italy had lost to Belgium in Rome in Mancini's first match back in charge but responded with an impressive 4-1 away victory over Turkey before drawing with France. Turkey, who had scored only once and conceded eight goals in their previous three matches, started brightly despite missing several key players. Italy, however, took the lead against the run of play in the 26th minute. Gianluca Scamacca attempted to control a cross, which bounced off a Turkish defender's shoulder before returning to him. Scamacca then volleyed the ball into the net off the underside of the crossbar. Turkey equalised in the 61st minute when Aral Şimşir finished with a sweeping shot. Italy restored their lead just three minutes later as Riccardo Calafiori headed home Nicolò Barella's free kick. Pio Esposito secured the victory late in the match by tapping in Alessandro Romano's shot. Esposito became only the second Italian player to score seven international goals before turning 21. Gyökeres extends scoring record Victor Gyökeres continued his record-breaking run by scoring in Sweden's 1-0 victory over Romania. The striker extended his Nations League scoring streak to seven consecutive matches, adding his fourth goal of the current campaign after setting the record on Friday. Sweden remained top of Group B4, two points ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina, who defeated Poland 1-0. Northern Ireland stayed top of Group B2 after being held to a goalless draw by Georgia. Hungary moved into second place with a 2-1 victory over Ukraine.

Ireland players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during Israel's national anthem to protest Israel's actions in Gaza before the two teams drew 1-1 in a tense Nations League soccer match on Sunday. Israeli players also wore black armbands to remember those killed in the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel captain Dor Peretz had “7.10” written on his armband. Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, who captained the team in place of Dara O'Shea, avoided shaking hands with Peretz before the match. O'Shea was excused from the squad to be with his wife for the birth of their child. Kelleher followed the example of O'Shea, who had avoided shaking hands with Israel captain Manor Solomon before Ireland's 3-0 victory in their first meeting in Debrecen, Hungary, last week. Ireland scored all three goals in the first half of that match. Solomon was named among the substitutes for Sunday's game in Backa Topola, Serbia. Israel forward Sayed Abu Farchi returned to the squad after serving a suspension for his red card following a goal celebration during a 3-1 defeat to Austria on September 25, but did not feature in the match. Irish forward Finn Azaz, whose mother has Israeli heritage, also remained among the substitutes. Troy Parrott put Ireland ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute after Peretz fouled Jimmy Dunne. Tensions rose on the touchline as players headed into the dressing rooms at half-time. Peretz raised the back of his jersey above his neck before the second half, apparently highlighting the Israeli flag on it. He then equalised from close range just two minutes after the restart. Israel came close to taking the lead in the second half, with substitute Omri Gandelman and Oscar Gloukh both hitting the right post. Spanish referee Juan Martínez Munuera had to remain alert as tensions flared following several strong challenges. The match was originally scheduled to take place in Dublin, but the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) moved it to a neutral venue in June for “operational reasons” following widespread calls to boycott the fixture. The FAI also announced that the match would be played without spectators. The decision followed an FAI motion in November last year calling on UEFA to ban Israel from club and international competitions. Pressure on Irish players Irish players faced growing pressure at home to boycott the two matches against Israel, reflecting strong public support for Palestinians. The pressure was particularly intense ahead of the first match. “I felt that pressure growing day by day and it's getting almost to a breaking limit now,” Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said before the first game. Ultimately, only reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from both matches. In a statement, he said it was his “personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.” More than 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter urging the FAI to reconsider its decision to play the two fixtures. Before the team travelled to Hungary, protesters gathered outside their Dublin hotel, urging the players to boycott the matches. The SIPTU trade union also displayed a large poster beside the River Liffey in central Dublin, calling on the players to “Go with your conscience!” and “Don't play with genocide,” alongside an image of a blood-splattered football. Former Ireland coach Brian Kerr said the FAI had “lost the respect of the Irish people” by proceeding with the matches. However, the FAI resisted the calls, arguing that Ireland could face severe sanctions from UEFA if the team refused to play. Ireland is scheduled to co-host the 2028 European Championship with England, Wales and Scotland. Tense build-up to match The fixtures have been preceded by several protests and confrontations. During Ireland's 2-2 draw with Austria on Thursday, protesters threw tennis balls bearing Palestinian flags onto the pitch. A man carrying a Palestinian flag later attempted to run onto the field. Tensions also surfaced at Saturday's pre-match news conference when an Israeli journalist alleged that Irish players had called Israeli players “monkeys” during the first match. Ireland's communications officer, Kieran Crowley, immediately rejected the allegation as “a lie” and ended the news conference. The Irish players had agreed to proceed with the fixtures only after lengthy discussions in Debrecen before the first match. Both a news conference and a training session were delayed for hours as the squad considered its options. Reports said the players voted 14-8 in favour of playing after Bazunu withdrew that morning. Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ provided limited coverage of both matches to fulfil its contractual obligations. It omitted studio presentations, commentary on the international feed and post-match analysis. The broadcaster also said it would not accept advertising or sponsorship associated with either game. RTÉ recently announced that Ireland would boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year because of Israel's participation.

Spain forward Lamine Yamal continued his remarkable run of early goals in the Nations League, scoring in the sixth minute as Spain defeated Czechia 3-1 at home on Saturday. The 19-year-old produced another trademark finish, cutting in from the right before curling a powerful left-footed shot into the top-left corner, leaving Czech goalkeeper Antonín Kinský with no chance. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente reacted with a mixture of admiration and disbelief as Yamal celebrated near the corner flag, where midfielder Pedri joined him for a hug. Yamal's latest goal came after he scored in the second minute against Croatia in Spain's 4-1 victory on Tuesday and in the second minute of their 3-2 away win over England on Sept. 26. He nearly doubled his tally in the 12th minute after controlling a high ball in his stride and attempting a 20-metre lob that narrowly missed the target. The Ballon d'Or contender has also been in excellent form for La Liga champions Barcelona this season. Rodri and substitute Mikel Merino were also on target for Spain, who extended their unbeaten run to 40 matches. The victory was Spain's third in the Nations League and kept them three points ahead of England at the top of their Nations League A group.

The Football Association said Friday that a ruling against Manchester City over major financial violations has significant implications for the integrity of soccer and that it is reviewing the decision. An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of artificially inflating its revenue by more than $1 billion over nearly a decade through what the Premier League described as “sham” sponsorship agreements linked to the club’s ownership. The commission found City guilty of all charges involving serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018. It also found the club guilty of most of the charges related to its failure to cooperate with the investigation. The FA, the governing body of English soccer, issued its first response to the biggest disciplinary case in Premier League history. “The independent commission's decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game,” the FA said. “We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate.” The FA said it would “continue to monitor developments closely” but would not make further comments while the proceedings remain ongoing. Manchester City has said it will appeal the ruling, which was published Tuesday. The deadline for filing the appeal is Friday. The club’s potential punishment will be considered separately in a confidential hearing before the independent commission. Possible sanctions include a fine, points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League.

Jürgen Klopp secured his first victory as Germany coach, while Portugal advanced with a convincing win over Denmark without veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo in the Nations League on Thursday. Florian Wirtz scored as Germany beat Serbia 2-0 in Munich, giving Klopp his first victory in his third match in charge and avoiding an unwanted record. The 59-year-old had opened his tenure with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands before Germany suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Greece on Sunday. Germany produced a disciplined and energetic performance against Serbia, reflecting the high-intensity style Klopp wants to establish. “That's going in my archive. We'll make a video out of it now,” Klopp said. “That's how we want to play.” Germany created several chances before Tom Bischof opened the scoring in the 39th minute, finishing the rebound after Wirtz's effort struck the post. Klopp introduced Said El Mala after halftime for his Germany debut. Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig and Freiburg forward Derry Scherhant also made their international debuts. Wirtz doubled Germany's lead after receiving Maximilian Mittelstädt's cross. He controlled the ball past a defender with his first touch before finding the inside of the right post with his second. “It was important to win again, just for the spirit in the team, and to send a signal out that we're good football players and also a good football nation,” Wirtz said. Netherlands held by GreeceTijjani Reijnders scored in the 89th minute as the Netherlands came from behind to draw 2-2 with Greece in Thessaloniki in the other Group A2 match. Fotis Ioannidis scored one goal and assisted on the other for Greece, while Virgil van Dijk scored before Reijnders rescued a point for the Netherlands. The Dutch side had also needed a late equalizer in its previous match against Germany. Greece remained top of Group A2 after recording away wins over Serbia and Germany. Portugal wins without RonaldoPortugal defeated Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen as João Félix sealed the victory late, with Ronaldo absent from the squad. Ronaldo left the team a day earlier following an apparent dispute with coach Jorge Jesus, raising questions over his future with the national side. Gonçalo Ramos, who replaced the 41-year-old forward, assisted João Cancelo for Portugal's opening goal before scoring the team's second two minutes after Mikkel Damsgaard equalized in the 23rd minute. Rasmus Højlund leveled again in the 53rd, but Vitinha restored Portugal's advantage with a near-post header from Bruno Fernandes' free kick in the 67th. Félix completed the scoring in the 87th minute. Wales beats NorwayWales defeated 10-man Norway 2-1 for its first Group A4 victory, with Erling Haaland failing to score. Haaland failed to find the net for only the second time in his last 18 competitive international appearances. He has scored 65 goals in 58 matches for Norway. Oscar Bobb put Norway ahead in Cardiff, but Daniel James equalized before halftime. Norway defender Torbjørn Heggem was later sent off for fouling James, and Neco Williams scored the winner from the resulting free kick. Protest disrupts Ireland-Austria matchProtesters calling for Ireland to boycott its upcoming match against Israel on Sunday interrupted Ireland's game against Austria by throwing tennis balls carrying Palestinian flags onto the field during the first half. A man carrying a Palestinian flag also attempted to enter the pitch before stewards stopped him. Troy Parrott scored twice, including a fine solo effort, but Austria fought back through Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch in the second half. In the other Group B3 match, Israel and Kosovo played out a 0-0 draw. Elsewhere, Liechtenstein held Azerbaijan to a 0-0 draw in Group D2.