Yesterday, the Argentine men’s soccer team played its first game as the defending gold medal champion at the Beijing games.According to Goal, the game was played in Shanghai Stadium in front of 57,000 people.Argentina was the favorite to win and they did not disappoint as they defeated the Ivory Coast 2-1.Lionel Messi, who Barcelona released at the last moment to play in the games, scored the goal that put Argentine ahead in the first half.Then, early in the second half, Ivory Coast tied the game up, making for an exciting finish.The final, game winning goal was scored by Lautaro Acosta in the 83rd minute of the game.

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The Boca Juniors, one of Buenos Aires’s most beloved soccer teams, played yesterday against Tecos, a soccer team from Guadalajara, Mexico.The teams drew, 1-1, despite Boca having many opportunities throughout the game to score.They finally did score 18 minutes into the second half with a goal by Cristian Chavez.According to Goal.com, Boca got slightly lazy after their goal and, late in the second half, Tecos was able to get one goal in, forcing the tie.This game was first of two that Boca is playing in Mexico in preparation for the approaching Argentine soccer season.Their next game will be against the Dorados of Culiacan.

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Yesterday, Argentina and Spain played in a basketball game called the “Game of the Stars” (Partido de las estrellas) because Spain is the current world champion and Argentina is the defending Olympic Gold medal holder.According to La Nación, Argentina lost 90 to 88, almost managing to come back to win at the end of the game.Ginobili, who played for part of the game, scored an important 18 points despite still not being physically 100%.The game was held in Madrid and was one of the last friendly matches either team will play in before going to the Beijing Olympics in 18 days.

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