#brazil drought 2021

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

South America's rivers hit record lows as Brazil drought impact spreads

South America's Paraguay River, a key thoroughfare for grains, has hit a record low in Paraguay's capital Asuncion, with water levels depleted by a severe drought upriver in Brazil that has hindered navigation along waterways in the Amazon.

The depth of the Paraguay River, measured versus a "zero" index rather than the riverbed, has dropped below minus 0.82 meter, breaking the previous record low in October 2021, data from the national Meteorology and Hydrology Directorate shows. The body expects the river will keep falling with no rain forecast.

The Parana River in Argentina is also near year lows around grains hub Rosario. Both the Paraguay and Parana rivers start in Brazil, eventually joining and flowing into the sea near Buenos Aires. They are important routes for soy, corn and other trade.

"In the northern section [of the Paraguay waterway], navigation is practically halted due to the extreme drop in water levels," the Paraguayan oilseed and grain crushing chamber CAPPRO told Reuters in written comments.

Continue reading.

[fishfactsfriday]

Fish Facts #13 The Arapaima

If a battering ram was a fish, we would have an arapaima. A missile of pure muscle.

Known locally by pirarucu* or paiche, the arapaima are native to Brazil, Peru, and Guyana but have been introduced in places such as Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, China, the Philippines, and Singapore. They mainly live in the floodplains off of the amazon river in slower moving water.

(*Pirarucu is a word that comes from the Tupi language, spoken by the indigenous peoples of Brazil that roughly translates to “red fish”, referring to their vivid tails.)

The remote flooded lakes and swamps in which the arapaima lives in contain more dead vegetation than alive, causing the oxygen levels to be very low. Surprisingly, this does not mean anything to the arapaima as they breathe air! It’s gills have become so small that it simply uses its modified swim bladder as a lung and uses the air for its oxygen. Because of this it can only stay submerged underwater for 10-20 minutes at a time however it can survive for an entire day on land!

Arapaima eat mostly fish but have been known to eat fruits, seeds, insects, and even some birds and mammals that can be found on the surface!

In order to eat the arapaima has implemented the ‘gulper’ feeing strategy, by opening their mouths quickly they essentially vacuum and suck in whatever is in front of them. They also can attack with bursts of speed to knock into potential prey, stunning it or hitting it out of the water. They have a bone in their tongue which keeps a tight grip on its food which it can also press up against the teeth they have on the top of their mouths, their palates. Arapaima can be picky eaters and can hold onto their food for several minutes before spitting it out.

Arapaima are considered one of the largest freshwater fish, maxing at 450 cm (about 14.8 feet) and 200.0 kg (about 440 lbs) but usually generally average around sizes of 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms) and 7 to 8 feet (2.2 to 2.4 meters).

Arapaima are long and slender, covered black scales with a lightish underbelly. They have a dorsal fin that runs along the backside of their body, the end of their tail is covered in thick red scales. They have broad and bony heads that are a greenish copper in color, with mouths that are upturned.

Arapaima breeding happens at the same time as flooding and dry seasons. During a drought a female arapaima will dig a dest with a mate, this nest is about 20 inches wide by 8 inches deep and is dug into the soft mud. There, the female deposits up to 50,000 eggs, which the male then fertilizes.

When the young are born, the male arapaima raises them in his mouth. The arapaima fry are a dark color, so the male’s head turns dark to disguise and camouflage them. In order to keep them close, the maile arapaima releases a pheromone from his head that attracts the offspring and keeps them close. Meanwhile, the female swims nearby and guards the young against predators.

Because the eggs are laid in the dry season, the offspring hatch and are able to flourish during the floodwaters of the rainy season. Both parents help aerate the water for them, as young arapaima still breathe will gills. These gills slowly cease to function as they age.

Originally created July 9, 2021

Sources lost

[liamhaydn-blog]

Lionel Messi at the 2022 World Cup

The first ever winter World Cup appeared perfectly timed for Lionel Messi. The previous season, his first in the colours of Paris Saint-Germain, had been the toughest of his career to date. The flawless finishing we had witnessed for well over a dozen years momentarily deserted him and was replaced with efforts suddenly being denied by posts, crossbars and goalkeepers, more often than they were finding the net. For the first time since his teenage years, Messi failed to reach double figures in the league, scoring just six goals in 26 appearances, and 11 in all competitions. Those who saw this and declared Messi’s glory years over would quickly be proven wrong however as just a few months into his second campaign with PSG and his difficulties in the previous season were already nothing but a rapidly fading memory. 

By the time club football took a winter break for the mid-season World Cup, Messi had already outperformed last season’s goal haul, with 7 in the league and 12 in all competitions. On top of this he also added 14 assists in the 19 games he featured. The numbers and performances showed us Messi was coming into the World Cup bang on form, and given his age of 35, playing this tournament mid-season rather than at the end of another long 50+ game season, was likely to be more of a help than a hindrance. 

The Argentina side he would be captaining at the finals were unbeaten since they suffered a loss to Brazil at the 2019 Copa America, their 5th tournament in 6 years where they had been unable to end a trophy drought which stretched back to 1993. Messi may have dragged his nation to three major finals in as many years but falling short in all of them led him to announce a short-lived retirement. He was back playing for the Albiceleste shortly after but the 2018 World Cup in Russia looked like something akin to torture for him. Rarely if ever did he seem to exhibit the same joy and freedom in Argentina’s colours as when playing for Barcelona. 

That was until the 2021 Copa America in Brazil, when at his 10th major tournament, Argentina finally assembled the right supporting cast around Messi, and with it Leo dazzled scoring 4 and assisting 5 as he led Argentina to the final. In the final he wasn’t at his best, a result of an extremely physical semi-final against Colombia, but for this new Argentina they could find a way to win without relying solely on their talismanic captain. Di Maria scored the goal which won them the cup at the Maracanã against hosts Brazil and suddenly Argentina who had been so poor at the 2018 World Cup were now one of the top favourites for the next World Cup which would take place the following year in Qatar. 

Argentina only strengthened their credentials with a run of 36 games unbeaten going into the World Cup. This run took in their Copa America triumph and aswell included a 3-0 win over European Champions Italy and on the very eve of the tournament a 5-0 win over UAE. In that game Messi notched his 18th goal for Argentina in his last 22 appearances, it was with real belief he and his teammates would begin Group C. Assigned to a favourable looking group alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, it would be the Saudis first up for Argentina.

v.s Saudi Arabia 1:2- Group C

Saudi Arabia are regular World Cup qualifiers, Brazil in 2014 being the only finals they haven’t reached since first qualifying in 1994. They are not however regular World Cup winners, having won just one game since they reached the knockout stages for the one and only time at their first World Cup. They appear to be the perfect opponent for Argentina to lay down a statement of intent with an emphatic victory.

 It takes just 94 seconds for Messi to have his first shot on target, forcing Al Owais into an early save. A few minutes later and holding in the box as Saudi Arabia attempted to defend a corner drew the attention of VAR, who alerted the referee to have a look at a possible penalty. The referee decided it went beyond the acceptable level of grappling and pointed to the spot, giving Messi and Argentina the chance to make the perfect start. The chance was taken as Argentina’s number 10 calmly rolled the ball into the net for 1-0. 

Messi appeared to have his and Argentina’s second in the 22nd minute when a long ball over the top left him baring down on goal and he calmly slotted home. However the linesman’s flag was then immediately raised. Five minutes later there was an even tighter call after Lautaro Martinez had gone clear and lifted the ball over the onrushing Al Owais. This time it was VAR who intervened to rule it out, judging Lautaro’s shoulder to be offside. Remarkably 7 minutes later Argentina had the ball in the net for a fourth time, and for the third time it was disallowed for offside. This was the clearest offside of the lot, though Lautaro’s composed step-over and finish after Messi had put him through displayed Argentina’s supreme confidence and the control in which they exerted over the match. 

Despite Argentina’s dominance in the first half, they had just one goal to show for it. And the frailty of that lead was exposed just three minutes into the second half when Alshehri expertly shot through the legs of a sliding Christian Romero and from a tight angle the ball bobbled into the bottom corner past Emiliano Martinez. The goal had come from a simple ball straight down the middle after Messi had been dispossessed in midfield. Just 5 minutes later, things went from bad to worse for Argentina as Nicolas Otamendi’s failure to get distance on a clearance eventually led to the ball finding Aldawsari who made room for the shot by cutting inside and then let fly from just inside the area. Martinez got a hand to the ball, but the power beat him and suddenly Argentina were behind against Saudi Arabia. 

Argentina almost respond immediately when Messi is found in the box, but just as he is about to shoot a potentially goal-saving tackle flies in on him from Abdulhamid, who celebrates this tackle like a goal, and he isn’t the last Saudi player to do so. The Albiceleste come closer still when Lisandro Martinez’s close-range shot deflects off the knee of Tagliafico from even closer, but Al Owais’ reflexes are up to the task.  

Following these chances, you could see the panic start to set in for Argentina as the reality of what defeat here could mean began to dawn on them. They began to fall back into their old habits of relying on Messi to rescue them. Since the last World Cup, Argentina had ended their long wait for silverware and were on the verge of equalling Italy’s world-record of 37 matches unbeaten. However as the clock ran down on them here, they could have been mistaken for the Argentina of 4 years ago who had toiled against Iceland and Nigeria. 

For a period in the second half Saudi Arabia correctly identified that if they could stop Messi, they could stop Argentina as the nerves and pressure began to get to his teammates. With 10 minutes of normal time left, Messi won a free kick in a promising position for a strike at goal, but his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar. He was closer a few minutes later when he was found in the box by Di Maria, but the floated ball didn’t allow Messi to generate enough power on his header to seriously trouble the keeper. 

As they neared closer to a historic victory, the Saudi’s gave full commitment to every sprint and tackle, it was going to take something special to snatch victory from them. They time-wasted, they took yellow cards and did everything they could to see the game out. Due to the timewasting, there was in the end an extra 13 minutes of additional time played for them to defend for their lives. But it seemed not to matter if the board had showed 30 minutes, Saudi Arabia were not going to be denied 3 points on this day. 

Having turned the game completely on its head in 5 mad minutes, they refused to squander their new-found lead through any fault of their own. There would be no shortage of desire, nor intense concentration in order to maintain their advantage and in the end it was enough to ensure one of the World Cups big upsets. And we were left wondering whether Argentina were just cursed in World Cups, having reached the Semi-Finals just once since 1990. But after this result the immediate worry was now just to ensure they got out of the groups. 

v.s. Mexico 2:0- Group C

In the lead-up to what was now a do-or-die game against Mexico, Messi spoke to the media: “In five minutes of mistakes that we made, we went 2-1 down and then it was really tough, we lost organisation and started punting the ball. It's up to us to fix what we did wrong and get back to the basics of who we are. We're OK, obviously hurt by the result, very bitter. But people must trust that this team will not let them down and we are going to go for it in the next two games.” It was strong words from the skipper and Argentina were also aided by results going their way in the other group games. First Mexico and Poland played out a 0-0 draw with Robert Lewandowski missing a penalty, then Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2-0. These results helped ensure Argentina’s destiny remained in their own hands. 

However as the game began it was clear these results had done little to settle Argentina’s nerves, nor had the 5 changes Lionel Scaloni made to the starting 11, including 3 in the defence. Though you regularly see both Argentina and Mexico in the knockout stages of the World Cup, the first-half here was more befitting of a League 2 match. The match was scrappy and extremely low on quality, littered with fouls which forced the game into a stop, start nature. The first sight of goal for either team didn’t arrive until the 40th minute when Lautaro’s header cleared the crossbar after being found by Angel Di Maria. Mexico’s one moment came in the 45th minute when a Vega free-kick forced Martinez into action. 

The most concerning sight in the first half for Messi and Argentina fans had been where the number 10 constantly received the ball and the movement, rather the lack of it around him. Argentina’s forward movement was very static, the player in possession left short on options so even Messi with having difficulty in progressing his team up the pitch when receiving it around the half-way line, where nearly all of his touches were. The first half had been in many ways, even more troubling than the second half against Saudi.  

At half-time in the ITV studio, Gary Neville said: “Players aren’t fearful of Lionel Messi anymore. They are taking the ball off him easily.” Joe Cole bizarrely put Messi’s struggles in the first-half down to the fact that “It's tough to get out of bed and get your roadwork done at 5am when you're sleeping in silk pyjamas." Neville and fellow pundit Roy Keane then found time to criticise Di Maria, with Neville saying “He’s got no heart.” to which Keane responded: “He’d break your heart, I’m not sure he’s got one.” Based on these words, Argentina may aswell not have bothered coming out for the second half. 

They did, but nothing appeared to have changed from the first. 5 minutes into the half and Messi won a free-kick in a dangerous position. Due to the lack of clear-cut chances this presented as good a chance as any for him to find the target. But his effort never threatened to harm the Mexico goal, flying high over the bar. It just about summed the game up so far for him and Argentina. 

Messi disappeared from the game once more, Argentina now had less than half an hour to find a goal that was looking increasingly unlikely. They were on the verge of having just one point from their opening two games, when Messi picked the ball up in the same kind of unthreatening position he had all game. He played a simple pass forward then continued his move toward the penalty area. Mexico’s midfield all then turned their attention to the ball and ignored Messi’s positioning. Di Maria however noticed exactly where he was and found Messi in a pocket of space. With one touch he set it out his feet and with the second he arrowed the ball into the bottom corner. 

Afrer scoring the vital opener, Messi shouted to the players: "Come on, look at the scoreboard. Now that's in front of you, look at it. 88,000 spectators are looking at you and 45 million Argentines are behind us watching. We won't let them down today, guys. Defend it like savage hyenas. Focus and never miss a ball." De Paul who had been struggling in the game conceding the ball cheaply was told in no uncertain terms by Messi that if he lost another ball, he didn’t want to see his face after the match. The midfielder responded to this by playing a lot better for the remainder. 

Mexico never looked like possessing the quality to equalise but the 3 points weren’t secure until the 87th minute when Enzo Fernandez doubled Argentina’s lead. With a step-over he bought room for the shot, and he didn’t waste it by bending it in past Ochoa. Messi played the pass for the goal to become the first man to register an assist at 5 World Cups. With the full-time whistle Argentina could breathe a huge sigh of relief. They were off the mark at the 2022 World Cup, thanks in large part to their captain whose wonderful goal came at a time when he and Argentina were clinging on to their dreams of glory. 

“Well they haven’t got much, but they have got him!”- Sam Matterface as Lionel Messi opens the scoring against Mexico

“One more Messi moment and Argentina are alive!”- Peter Drury

v.s Poland 2:0- Group C

Going into the final matchday Argentina knew that a win over Poland would near certainly be enough to see them secure top spot in the group. This was due to them having a positive Goal Difference, and Saudi Arabia having a negative one. Poland though would be mathematically certain of topping the group if they beat Argentina. Finishing 1st was vitally important as 2nd place in the group would meet France. Having faced France at the same stage 4 years ago, Argentina would be keen to avoid a repeat, with memories of an 18-year old Kylian Mbappe sprinting through the middle of their defence still raw enough to know if you get the chance to avoid him, you should take it. 

However from the offset Poland had only the draw they needed for qualification in mind. They lacked the belief to try and obtain the win to ensure they topped the group and instead sat back, inviting Argentina (wearing their purple away jersey for the one and only time in the tournament) to dominate possession which they duly did. Unsurprisingly it was Messi who had the best chances of the first half. Running into the box he was faced with a tight angle, but the power generated in the shot forced Szczesny into a smart save down low at his near-post. 

A golden opportunity would arrive in the 36th minute when a cross from Julian Alvarez was missed by the Polish keeper and reached by Messi though his header ended high over the bar. However, Szczesny caught Messi in the face when attempting to reach the ball, and as it was Messi who made contact with the ball, the Polish number 1 was judged to have committed a foul after the referee watched the incident back on VAR. Though Szczesny was to redeem himself with an outstanding penalty save, guessing the right way and getting a strong hand to Messi’s kick. The penalty was struck with power, but Szczesny’s hand remained firm and palmed it to safety. 

It seemed like nothing could go straightforward for Messi and Argentina at the World Cup. Given the chance to turn all their pressure and domination into a goal from the spot, they’d been unable to convert it. Was it going to be another one of those awful days for them? Such fears were quickly dismissed as they broke the deadlock in the very first minute of the second half. Molina’s cross into the box was fired into the feet of Alexis Mac Allister who opted against needing a touch and instead just stroked it into the bottom corner, hitting the inside of the post on the way in. 

Despite now trailing, Poland were unwilling to alter their game plan and it was Argentina doing all the searching for the game’s second goal. Messi took the ball from well inside his own half and dribbled it all the way into the Poland box before scuffing the shot well wide. In the 67th minute the Albiceleste made sure of top spot, after Enzo Fernandez had threaded the ball into Julian Alvarez who took two exquisite touches to make room for a shot that flew into the back of the Polish net.    

With Mexico leading Saudi Arabia 2-0, Poland were currently only progressing through by virtue of having fewer yellow cards than the Mexicans. Rather than pushing for a goal themselves, they seemed to be relying on Argentina not getting another. This plan appeared flawed however, as Messi looked like he was starting to enjoy the World Cup stage, spraying passes with ease and dribbling past bodies at will. The pick of the passes came in the 74th minute when from the half-way line he instantly spotted the run of Alvarez, and weighted it perfectly into his path. Mercifully for Poland, he could only find the side-netting. The match finished as one of the most one-sided of the tournament with Argentina managing 12 shots on target to Poland’s 0. 

It would however, be Poland joining Argentina in the last 16, a 95th minute goal for Saudi Arabia confirming it beyond doubt. After the game Rio Ferdinand said: “he wasn’t even at his best today but the best 3 or 4 dribbles in the game was Messi, the best 3 or 4 passes in the game was Messi and the best player on the pitch was Messi.” Poland were poor opposition and therefore did not provide much of a test, but Argentina were growing in confidence. For the first time in the tournament they started the midfield three of Enzo Fernandez, De Paul and Mac Allister. Julian Alvarez also made his first start after Lautaro had struggled against Mexico, and he had not wasted his chance. This was a significant game for Argentina as from this point on those four players would start every game together.

They had lost the first game but still topped the group just like Spain did before going onto win it in 2010. There was also the curious statistic that Mario Kempes missed a penalty in Argentina’s third World Cup game in 1978 as did Maradona in game three of 1986. On those occasions, Argentina went on to lift the World Cup, with Messi missing on matchday three this time, would history repeat?

v.s Australia 2:1- Round of 16

Australia would be Argentina’s Round of 16 opponents, and also the opposition for Lionel Messi’s 1,000th official senior game. It would also be Messi’s 100th match as captain of Argentina, so the stage was set for something special and expectation was high. Australia like Argentina had lost their opening game and then won their next two. They had recovered impressively from a 4-1 loss to France by notching back-to-back 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark. 

For 34 minutes, not a lot happened. Argentina controlled the ball but they struggled to find space in dangerous areas against a well-drilled Aussie side full of tall, strong players keen to impose their impressive physicality on the contest. It would be who else but the smallest player on the pitch to spring the game into life. Messi whipped in a free-kick from the right-hand side which was headed out by Souttar only as far as Papu Gomez who recycled the ball back to Messi for him to lay into Mac Allister before moving inside, Mac Allister’s pass found Otamendi who played it back to Messi now inside the penalty area. Messi took a touch then stroked it firmly into the net, through the legs of the stretching Australian defenders and past the outstretched glove of Matt Ryan. 1,000 games, 100 as Argentina captain and a very 1st goal in the knockout rounds of a World Cup. 

“He’s only gone and done it again! A Thousand games and still he excels! They’ll never be another like him! Enjoy him while he’s here.”- Peter Drury

Argentina doubled their advantage 12 minutes into the second half as the result of an excellent press from Rodrigo De Paul, who sprinted at the Australian defence forcing them to play it back to keeper Matt Ryan. De Paul didn’t stop there and chased all the way back to the keeper who tried to take the ball past him with his second touch and tempt him into a foul. This proved a costly error as De Paul didn’t take the bait and instead let him past, as Alvarez was also on the hunt for the ball and picked the keepers pocket, before simply rolling it into the empty net.

For the rest of the second half it was absolutely vintage Messi. Receiving the ball inside his own half, he turned away from one Australian midfielder, then dribbled through a gap of another three, leaving them trailing in his wake and looking statuesque, with seemingly none of them willing to be the one to draw the short straw and attempt to tackle him. Before they could make up their mind what to do, the 35-year old had left them in the dust. Advancing onto the defence, the ball ricocheted to Alvarez who played it back to Messi who beat one challenge in the penalty area before finally being stopped by a second defender who gratefully conceded the corner.  

There is a sting in the tail however when an only half-cleared cross lands at the feet of substitute Craig Goodwin, whose powerful but wayward first-time shot changes direction in the air after cannoning off Enzo Fernandez and leaves Emiliano Martinez flat-footed and rooted to the spot as the ball diverts into the back of his net. A few minutes later and Australia almost completed the comeback, their full-back Behich embarked on an incredible driving run which saw him beat 4 Argentine shirts before finally being denied by Lisandro Martinez just as he prepared to take his short, it was a vital intervention. 

Though right back in the game, Australia could do nothing to disrupt Lionel Messi’s rhythm. He wasn’t feeling the pressure, he was playing the match as though a testimonial. He controlled the tempo and pace of Argentina’s play, if he wanted to slow things down the Australians could not find a way to rush him, if he wanted to speed things up he would subtly switch the gears and drive Argentina forward. Which ever one he opted for, the ball was always safe in his possession, and thankfully for Argentina he was seeing plenty of it. There was a chance to make the game completely safe in the 89th minute when a run from Messi enabled him to occupy all 4 Australian defenders and drag them away from Lautaro Martinez who was left in acres of room, at the perfect time Messi rolled it across to him but now lacking confidence he got under the ball and lifted a horrible shot well away from goal. 

Moments later Messi found Martinez for a second time, this time the striker was able to hit the target but Ryan was equal to it. The number 10 is doing everything to put the game to bed, beating another 2 men he finds himself in the box, faced with 3 opposition players he is still able to get a good shot away, he looks for the top corner and the keeper is well beaten, but it’s a fraction too high. As the 7 minutes of injury time run down, it’s Argentina and Messi who are pushing for the game’s 4th goal. He finds Martinez for his third shot on goal, but his deflected shot is saved by Ryan and Messi is not ready when the save rebounds at his feet, dragging his shot wide. 

Then suddenly with 30 seconds left on the clock, Goodwin’s cross finds Kuol who is able to spin his marker, luckily for Argentina Emiliano Martinez was ready and immediately sprinted off his goalline, narrowing the angle and the shot was blocked by his left arm which took the sting from the shot and allowed him to collect the ball and collapse onto it in relief. He was joined on the floor by a couple of his teammates, no doubt thanking him for getting them out of trouble. 

It had been an interesting night for all 3 of Argentina’s Martinez’s, Emiliano and Lisandro had made fantastic blocks to deny equalisers, whereas it had been a bad night for Lautaro, wasting opportunities that would have made the win certain. But overall, the game was the story of Messi. In his 1,000th game, he had produced his greatest World Cup performance to date, a performance described by Rio Ferdinand as “the best individual performance we’ve seen at this World Cup so far, by a mile.”   

v.s Netherlands 2:2 (4-3 on penalties)- Quarter-Finals 

Argentina vs The Netherlands was to be the mouth-watering Quarter-Final clash. To the surprise of everyone, the winner would not go on to face tournament favourites Brazil as earlier that day they had been dumped out on penalties by plucky Croatia. Given the history of this fixture which had been the final of the 1978 edition, the semi-final when Messi reached his first World Cup final in 2014 and produced one of the most memorable Quarter-Finals ever the last time they met at this stage in 1998, it was a game that scarcely needed spicing up. But it seemingly got it anyway, with comments made by Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal that “you would see his plan to stop Lionel Messi on Friday night” taken to be disrespectful and arrogant by the Argentine side. 

Scaloni decided to match up with Netherlands’ 3-5-2 by playing the same formation, dropping a forward out for defender Lisandro Martinez. This decision was made easier by an injury to Angel Di Maria who was only fit enough for the bench.

After a tight opening which was just about shaded by Argentina, Messi was the orchestrator of the game’s first goal in the 35th minute, the exact same minute he’d scored the games opener in the previous match against Australia. This time he was to be the provider however, with a body swerve and a drop of the shoulder Messi found the angle he wanted to thread a through ball between the legs of Nathan Ake and into the path of Molina, the weight of the pass was too perfect for Daley Blind to intercept, he was taken out of the game and Molina was left with just the keeper to beat which he duly did.

With a couple of minutes left in the half we were given a sign of what was to come as Lahoz’s fussy style of refereeing began to lose control of the match. The Spanish ref flashed 4 yellow cards in moments to Argentina coach Walter Sammuel, aswell as Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst who was yet to enter the game. More significant was the yellow card shown to Acuna, which would rule him out of the semi-final. In the second half Messi went close with a free-kick which was just too high and found only the side-netting, before an even better dead-ball opportunity presented itself when Dumfries brought down Acuna in the box giving the referee little alternative but to point to the spot.  

Faced with the 6 foot 6 inch goalkeeper Noppert, Messi stroked the penalty home with Noppert choosing to stay down the middle. With his celebration, Messi paid tribute to Juan Roman Riquelme’s trademark goal celebration, Riquelme whom it was noted famously clashed with Van Gaal when the two were together at Barcelona. Also noted was the fact Messi did the celebration with his eyes firmly set on the Dutch bench. 

The Netherlands had barely threatened all game, so the two-goal cushion was thought to have killed the contest and put Argentina safely through to the final 4. However with time running out and nothing left to lose, Van Gaal decided to throw the kitchen sink at it by taking off his more technical forwards and bringing on less gifted players who would be more of a threat in the air where they could use their height advantage. This strategy quickly paid dividends as the Dutch pulled one back with 7 minutes of normal time remaining, Weghorst directing his header past Martinez.  

With a minute of normal time left, the bad tempered game which had been simmering along finally reached its boiling point when Parades clattered into Nathan Ake and then blasted the ball into the Dutch bench. Luckily it didn’t hit anyone, if it did he may not have escaped with just a yellow card. The melee that followed saw all of the Dutch substitutes storm onto the pitch in fury, though it was Van Dijk who got to Paredes first and bumped him to the ground, for which he avoided punishment. 

The referee had frustrated both teams with his fussiness, which saw him constantly blowing his whistle to signal free-kicks for every minor and sometimes non-existent infringement. This led to 11 minutes of stoppage time being awarded and it was in the final of those added minutes when the Dutch equalised. From a free-kick, Koopmeiners, instead of shooting, worked a routine straight off the training ground by instead passing it past the wall and through to Weghorst who managed to hold off his marker and fire it past Martinez. It was the substitutes second of the game and the assist came from a fellow substitute, it had proved a tactical masterclass from Van Gaal. 

The first half of extra-time passed without notable incident, both teams looking to catch their breath. Netherlands seemed relieved to just still be in the competition, Argentina concentrated on re-composing themselves and looking to regain control of a game that had momentarily got away from them. 

All the big second half chances went Argentina’s way, they continued to probe for a winner, coming closest in added time at the end of extra-time when Fernandez let fly from outside the box and beat the goalkeeper only to be denied by the post. Like their encounter 8 years previously, the two sides would be separated by a penalty shoot-out when the referee finally called time on a game which had included 48 fouls, with 30 from the Netherlands. 

As in their 2014 World Cup shootout, the Dutch were first up. Again it would be a centre-back, then it was Ron Vlaar, now Van Dijk. Different names but the outcome remained the same, the player missed. Although more accurately, Martinez saved by diving correctly to his right and getting both hands to the ball. Next Messi faced Noppert from the spot for a second time, and the result was the same. He waited for the keeper to commit to his dive then just rolled it the other side. 

Berghuis then stepped up for the Netherlands, and he was also denied by Martinez who again guessed right, this time going left and making another outstanding penalty save. Noppert then guessed right for Parades’ kick but still couldn’t get anywhere near it due to perfect placement. Martinez stays in the middle for Netherlands third penalty and Koopmeiners blasts it into the far corner. Next up goes Montiel and he makes it 3 from 3 for Argentina sending the keeper the wrong way. 

Weghorst keeps the Dutch alive in the shootout but if Fernandez scores its all over. As he makes his way towards the spot, Dumfries is booked for gamesmanship as he goes with Fernandez, attempting to break his concentration. It seems to work as the midfielder fired wide, keeping alive slim Dutch hopes. De Jong then levels the shootout but Argentina have one kick remaining. It’s Lautaro Martinez who steps up, who had been enduring a difficult World Cup. Noppert hands him the ball and begins talking to him, begins the mind games. Martinez appears completely unruffled and he demonstrates this by sending the keeper the wrong way and his team through to the semi-finals. 

The drama still wasn’t over as quickly Argentina’s joyful celebrations were replaced with players and coaches from opposing sides coming face-to-face once more in angry confrontations. Messi became embroiled in a heating conversation with both Louis Van Gaal and assistant coach Edgar Davids. Messi’s hand gesture making plain what his issue with them was, the talking the Dutch camp had done in the build-up to the match. 

As Messi then gave a post-match interview to Argentine broadcasters he was distracted by Weghorst who was stood close by looking at him and apparently waiting for him. With the microphone still in front of his face, Messi snapped at Weghorst: “Qué mirás, bobo? Qué mirás, bobo? Andá para allá.” which translates roughly to “What are you looking at you fool? Go away.” When giving an interview to FIFA, Messi again didn’t hold back saying “It’s very frustrating. We were scared before the game because we knew what this was. I think FIFA must think about it, they cannot put a referee like that for these important games, for such a pivotal game — a referee who isn’t up to the task.” The Argentine public loved seeing this side of Messi, usually so shy and reserved. He seemed to be channelling his inner Diego Maradona as he angrily went at the Dutch coaches, Weghorst and the referee. This side of him showed just how much this World Cup meant to him and his desperation to win.

v.s Croatia 3:0- Semi-Finals

4 years prior when Argentina met Croatia in the World Cup group stages, during the national anthem, Messi had anxiously rubbed his forehead, looking like the loneliest man in the world, carrying a load too heavy for his weary shoulders, they went on to lose the game 3-0. Now as he prepared to face Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals, as the national anthem played, he stood with his chest puffed out singing from the top of his lungs. Just as much as the match to follow, this emphasised the transformation that had taken place within Messi and in the national side he represents. 

For the Semi-Final, Scaloni made another tactical adjustment. Seeing how strong Croatia were in possession and how their centre midfielders could dictate a game, Scaloni started four centre-midfielders against the Croatian three of Kovacic, Brozovic and Modric. Particular importance would be put on limiting the latter’s time on the ball, such was his role in the Croatian side. Despite this Croatia were still able to shade the opening half an hour, showcasing their impressive ability to keep the ball. The game changed in the 31st minute when a scooped through ball from Fernandez put Alvarez in on goal, his contact on the ball was not enough to find the net however goalkeeper Livakovic had taken him out and the referee pointed to the spot.  

Croatia had reached the semis by virtue of winning 2 shootouts, Livakovic had thus far faced 8 penalties, and had only been beaten by 3. However he was given no chance by Messi, his emphatic penalty was absolutely unsavable blasted right into the top corner. This goal made Messi Argentina’s all-time top goal scorer at World Cups, his 11th moving him ahead of Gabriel Batistuta. 

Argentina who had struggled to get into the game now had all the confidence and momentum. 5 minutes after Messi had given them the lead they doubled it. Messi was able to launch a counter attack by just about getting his foot to the ball after Argentina had cleared it from their area and this touch allowed them to spring an attack with Julian Alvarez driving forward with the ball at his feet. He met little resistance until reaching the box when the attempt to tackle him only ricocheted back to him, another failed Croatian clearance allowed the ball to set up nicely for him to strike after bouncing off his chest. The Croatian defenders had not covered themselves in glory but Alvarez had brilliantly profited with his perseverance.

Just shy of the hour mark, Messi gave us a little pre-cursor of what was to come when he received the ball around 40 yards from goal and dribbled to the edge of the box, all the while escaping the attentions of Josko Gvrdiol by holding him off and then playing a one-two with Fernandez to get into the box. Once there he made room for the shot but saw it saved by Livakovic from a narrow angle. 

A little over 10 minutes later and Messi was beating Gvrdiol again, only this time in even more astonishing fashion. Leo takes possession after a throw-in is touched into his path off the thigh of Alvarez, Messi is tight to the touchline but with two touches is away from Gvrdiol and driving into open space in the direction of the penalty area. Messi then slows down allowing the defender to catch up, accelerates again before checking back, all the while always keeping his body between Gvrdiol and the ball. He fakes to turn back inside with a body-swerve which sells the defender and Messi then sets off in the opposite direction towards the byline, he gets there and plays a pass into the unmarked Alvarez for a simple tap-in. 

The 20-year old Gvrdiol had been one of the standout performers of the tournament, but the man 15 years his senior had toyed with him. Messi had taken the ball in a harmless position, just inside the Croatian half and next to the touchline and had laid on a certain goal using just 15 touches of the ball. It was a masterclass in making every single touch count and placing the ball exactly where you needed it to set up your next move, no touch was wasted or less than perfect. 

It made certain Argentina’s progression into Sunday’s final and they saw out the remaining 20-plus minutes in comfort. They allowed Croatia plenty of possession but they could not land a meaningful glove on Argentina, whose attack of Messi and Alvarez had delivered a devastating one-two combination to knock them out. In the end it had been as straightforward as you could ever hope a World Cup Semi-Final to be and Messi was going to get one more chance to lift the trophy he had always dreamed about. 

v.s France 3:3 (4:2 on penalties)- Final

The final was almost certainly going to be less straightforward. Argentina would be facing France after they had defeated Africa’s first ever World Cup Semi-Finalists in Morocco. France would be looking to become the first side to retain the World Cup since Brazil exactly 60 years before and just like Argentina were looking to lift the trophy for a third time. Aswell as the World Cup, the smaller matter of the Golden Boot would be decided with Messi and Mbappe currently tied for 1st with 5 each, and their team’s strikers Alvarez and Giroud also tied on 4. Messi and Mbappe had been the two best players of the World Cup and the question was would Messi show the young pretender to his crown that he was not yet ready to exit his throne, or would Mbappe signal the start of a new era, his era.

Scaloni brought Di Maria back into the starting line-up which raised some eyebrows given the winger had not started since the group stages and had only featured in one knockout game. This decision quickly proved to be an inspired one as Di Maria and co started the game very much on the front foot, playing with an intensity and hunger France simply could not match. They constantly hounded France out of possession, swarming them, first to every ball. 

However they could not transmit their superiority onto the scoreboard in the opening 20 minutes, but the chance came in the 21st minute when trickery from Di Maria took him past Dembele and into the box, whilst assessing his options he felt the slightest of touches from behind and hit the floor. There seemed to be relatively little in it, but the referee felt he’d seen enough contact to award the penalty and VAR did not flag it as a clear or obvious error. It was soft and contentious, but the little flick of Dembele’s foot into the back of Di Maria was judged to be enough. Up stepped Lionel Messi for the most important kick of a football in his entire career. He coolly sent Lloris in the wrong direction and gave his nation the start they desperately wanted. 

The goal did little to wake France from there stupor, instead it was Argentina who played all the football, and their finest bit of football came 13 minutes after taking the lead when Mac Allister flicked the ball into Messi’s path. Just inside his own half with two touches he knocked it around the corner into Alvarez who played it first time for Mac Allister who had continued his run forward, the midfielder knew he had Di Maria for company and picked out an inch perfect pass for the winger to strike first time past Lloris. The counter-attack was the best team goal of the whole tournament, and one of the more memorable World Cup final goals with quick, incisive passing and movement that brutally exposed the disorganisation in the French team with defenders way out of position. 

The 2-0 lead was richly deserved and forced Deschamps into making 2 substitutions before half-time had even been reached, sacrificing Giroud and Dembele. The second half continued in the same vein, Argentina making all the chances, simply battering France and comfortably outplaying them. Things began to subtly shift when Di Maria who had been the man of the match up to that point, a constant thorn in the French side was taken off for full-back Acuna. This seemed to signify to Argentina’s players that they should start to be contented with the lead they already had and begin slowing the game down and trying to see it out. Rather than hungrily going for the third as they had in the opening 18 minutes of the half with Di Maria on the pitch, they now looked to just pass the ball around. This subtle change of tact appeared unlikely to be taken advantage of by France, emphasised by Varane who under no pressure passed the ball straight into touch, nowhere near any teammate. It was a pass that just about epitomised the French performance. 

Their way back into the game appeared out of the blue. A heavy touch forward from Mbappe seemed to allow Otamendi time to clear his lines but he paused for too long and substitute Kolo Muani stole in to get goal-side of him. Otamendi panicked and brought him down once the forward had already strode into the box and from nowhere France had been gifted the chance to half their deficit. Kylian Mbappe gratefully took that chance, despite Martinez guessing the right way the power was too much. 

This gave France 10 more minutes of normal time to force an equaliser, in actuality they needed just 1. Messi was caught in possession by substitute Coman who then picked out Rabiot. His flighted ball to Mbappe was headed to Thuram who returned it instantly for the forward to strike on the volley, and strike it he did, hard and low past Martinez. After being outplayed for 79 minutes, in 2 minutes France had wiped away Argentina’s 2-goal cushion and made it all square. 

From that point, it was Argentina hanging in and France the ones searching for the winner, until the 7th added minute of a scheduled 8 when Messi let fly from outside the box with what may have gone down as the most iconic goal in football history, but Lloris was able to palm it up and over the bar. Messi was going to have to go at least another 30 minutes to secure a World Cup title.

The first big chance of extra-time came in the 15th minute and it went Argentina’s way, when Messi found substitute Lautaro Martinez in the box after interchanging with Mac Allister in a brilliant one-two. Martinez wanted time to take a first touch, but he didn’t have it and after taking the touch his shot was charged down. That wasn’t even to be his last chance of the half, Acuna put him through on goal but under the joint pressure of being closed down by Upamecano and Lloris he shot wide of the target. 

3 minutes into the second half of extra-time and a ball from Montiel was controlled into Messi’s path by Lautaro Martinez, the number 10 found Fernandez with one touch who with a single touch of his own gave it back to Lautaro who touched and shot, Lloris got one big, strong hand on it but the ball fell at the feet of Messi mere yards from the goal line, he bundled it over the line and chaos ensued. Argentina’s substitutes swarmed across the pitch to celebrate with Messi and co. right on the other touchline. But with the referee giving the goal, the linesman’s flag shot up for offside seconds after the ball was in. Messi celebrated with jubilant teammates, but concern was still visible on his face, is it definitely a goal? VAR put an end to his uncertainty by confirming Lautaro was onside and the goal stood, and then and only then did Messi fully give way to full delight.

His and Argentina’s joy would still be cut short however when Mbappe’s shot from just outside the box was charged down by the arm of Montiel, very much inside it. The referee pointed to the spot for a third time in the game, and mere minutes away from victory Argentina threatened to be denied again. Mbappe kept his considerable cool and sent Martinez the wrong way, he and France were level once more as the Frenchman became the first man to score a World Cup final hattrick since Geoff Hurst in 1966.

In the 120th minute, a near inch-perfect cross from Mbappe had Kolo Muani straining his neck muscles, given the pace on the ball any contact on it may have been enough to leave Martinez with no chance but he was just short of reaching the ball with his attempted header and Argentina could breathe a big sigh of relief. Not for long. With less than 20 seconds left of the final 3 minutes added on to the end of Extra-Time, a forward ball from Konate was missed by Otamendi as he failed to make any connection with his attempted slide clearance, this miss put Kolo Muani through clear of the defence with just the keeper to beat, the ball set up perfectly to smash on the half-volley and the strike was a good one, but Martinez pulled out perhaps the save of the tournament right when he and his nation needed it most. 

In one of the most exciting minutes in World Cup history, Argentina went right back up the other end and attempted to steal the game for themselves. The head of Lautaro Martinez was picked out from a cross, he had a free header but got it all wrong. Right in front of goal he only needed to hit the target, but he mis-directed his attempt and got it horribly wrong sending it way wide. And that was that, the final chance of an enthralling game. And for just the third time the destination of the World Cup trophy would be decided by a penalty shoot-out. 

France were to go first and Mbappe stepped up for his 3rd penalty in little more than an hour. Remarkably, for a third time he was able to beat Martinez, for the second time Martinez guessed right but the power and placement was too good. After France’s talisman number 10 came Argentina’s to take his second penalty of the night. Messi passed the ball into the net, with the kind of ease that felt out of place in a World Cup final penalty shootout. It shouldn’t be that simple. Coman took France’s second penalty, his kick was missed by the gloves of Martinez, but the ball went between his gloves and firmly into his chest. He had guessed right and kept it out with a tremendous save. Dybala had been brought on for the sole purpose of taking a penalty, and that proved a good decision from Scaloni as his firmly struck penalty went straight down the middle in the space the diving Lloris had vacated. 

Tchouameni took and subsequently missed France’s third penalty, shooting wide of the post. Martinez celebratory shimmy demonstrated the confidence Argentina now felt, they were close. Parades took them yet closer when he made it 3-1. Kolo Muani had to score to keep France in it and he did, blasting it home. This meant the chance fell to Gonzalo Montiel. The substitute could have been the villain of the piece after his handball with minutes of injury time to play saw Argentina lose their lead for a second time. Now he had the chance to be the hero. He sent Lloris the wrong way and Lionel Messi and Argentina were Champions of the World.

Argentina Campeones Del Mundo

Argentina were finally ‘Campeones del Mundo’ for the first time in 36 long years and Messi had equalled the achievements of Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona. Like Kempes he scored two in the final, and like Maradona he had captained his side to glory. Mbappe’s hattrick may have meant that Leo missed out on the Golden Boot, but he did win the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player, in doing so becoming the first player to win the award twice. 

In 4 glorious weeks Messi had answered any criticisms that could ever be levelled at him. He struggled at World Cup’s under the intense pressure and scrutiny they said, referencing him only having 6 World Cup goals in his first 4 tournaments, and being without a goal in the knockout stage. After this World Cup he had 13, more than the great Pele and the joint 4th most in history. He had become the first player ever to score in all 4 knockout stage rounds at the same World Cup, netting 5 times in 4 games. They said he wasn’t a great leader and captain, now he had led his nation to the greatest prize on earth. Even the claim that he wasn’t a great penalty taker was answered, in 3 matches he scored 5 penalties including the shoot-outs, with the highest pressure and on the grandest stage imaginable, he kept his cool 5 times with unflappable penalty kicks.   

Though this wasn’t just the triumph of one man, this was the triumph of a whole team. Scaloni had been the best manager of the World Cup, his tactical tweaks against Netherlands, Croatia and France had all worked brilliantly. Bringing Di Maria back into the side when he had rather struggled in the group stage and the team had played better in the knockout rounds without him was a big call, but this allowed Argentina to stretch the pitch wide and gave Messi more room to operate in the middle, France couldn’t crowd him as they now had another dribbling creator on the flanks. 

Argentina hadn’t started the World Cup with a team good enough to win it, but Scaloni found it. An injury on the eve of the tournament to the important Lo Celso left him trying to find the best way to plug that gap. 19 different players started for Argentina at the finals, and only three outfield players in Otamendi, De Paul and Messi started every game. The turning point came in game three against Poland when the midfield of Fernandez, Mac Allister and De Paul proved Argentina’s most effective combination to date and they got better and better as the tournament progressed, peaking in the final where all three were absolutely outstanding. Also in that Poland game came the decision to drop the mis-firing Lautaro for the young, hungry Julian Alvarez who performed exemplary adding 4 goals to Argentina’s tally.  

Not to be forgotten for their role in Argentina’s success were the fans who covered each stadium with a sea of blue and white jerseys and were the wonderful soundtrack to Albiceleste glory. Less demand for tickets at this Qatar World Cup saw more tickets than usual land in the hands of regular supporters, the real hardcore and this was one of the best things about a controversial World Cup which came with many downsides. Also not to be forgotten were the heroics of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, he provided the platform in the shootouts for Argentina to go and get the victories with his psychological warfare against opposition takers forcing 4 misses. Argentina scored 7 of the 8 shootout penalties they took, emphasising how every player including the sparingly used Dybala played their part in achieving the ultimate glory.

Rating the 16 Argentina players who started at least 2 games: 

Emiliano Martinez- 10

Made vital late saves against Australia and France, the latter being maybe the most iconic ever World Cup final save. Was the difference maker in Argentina’s two shoot-outs, dominating them with early saves to give his team the momentum.

Nicolas Molina- 7

Started all but the Mexico game and performed solidly, Argentina were rarely troubled down the flanks. Going forward he took his goal against Netherlands with great composure.  

Christian Romero- 8

Like Molina, Romero started every match bar Mexico and for the majority of the tournament he looked extremely solid. 

Nicolas Otamendi- 6

Performed well at times, and did momentarily silenced his critics and doubters. However, it always felt like he had a mistake in him, and if a costly error was going to come from the Argentina defence, he always seemed most likely to be the culprit. This was proven when he foolishly conceded a penalty in the final which made lifting the trophy much harder work for his team.

Lisandro Martinez- 8

Started against Mexico and was then brought back in for the Quarter-Final against Netherlands. Hardly put a foot wrong and made a crucial intervention off the bench against Australia to keep his side in front. A surprise he wasn’t given more minutes as when he did play he looked more solid than the calamity-prone Otamendi.

Marcos Acuña- 7

Like Molina wasn’t troubled often defensively and got into good attacking positions regularly. His end product could be somewhat disappointing, but he always proved a useful foil. 

Nicolás Tagliafico- 7

Started the opening game and was broke back into the side for the semi-final when filling in for the suspended Acuna, he did a solid job and kept his place for the final. 

Rodrigo De Paul- 9

Struggled against Saudi Arabia and especially in the first half vs Mexico, but Scaloni kept faith in him and De Paul rewarded that faith, he got better and better as the tournament progressed. His tireless running was essential to the success of Argentina’s campaign.

Enzo Fernandez- 9

Wasn’t chosen to start until the final group game. However once in the team, Enzo made the position his. He was involved in most things good in Argentina’s play, always neat and tidy but never overly cautious in possession. Deserved winner of the tournament’s best young player award. 

Alexis Mac Allister- 9

Going into the tournament we knew the Brighton midfielder was good, I’m not sure we knew he was this good. Scored the vital goal against Poland to break the deadlock, but his finest moment came in the final where he was one of the best players on the pitch, France just could not get to grips with him.

Leandro Paredes- 7

He started the opening defeat to Saudi Arabia and didn’t start again until the semi-finals against Croatia, where he came in and did a solid job. Converted both his shoot-out penalties including one in the final shootout to give Argentina a commanding 3-1 lead.

Angel Di Maria- 8

Wasn’t at his best in the group stages, however he more than made up for it with his final performance. He deserved his goal which gave Argentina a 2-0 lead, he terrorised Kounde and had the beating of him time and time again.

Papu Gomez- 5

Started the opener against Saudi Arabia and was brought back in for the round of 16 game against Australia. However he was largely anonymous in both games. 

Lionel Messi- 10

Scored one of the best and most important goals when his country needed him most as they toiled vs Mexico. He and his teammates never looked back from there. He was sensational against Australia and inspirational in the final against France. Between that he produced the two best assists of the tournament against Netherlands and Croatia. 7 goals, 3 assists, 5 converted penalties in a row, the 35-year old really could not have done much more.

Julian Alvarez- 9

Got his chance to start against Poland and was never in danger of losing his starting place. His energy, intelligence and lethal finishing were key components in the success of his nation. He led Argentina’s attack at the World Cup in ways much more experienced forwards such as Higuain, Aguero and Lautaro Martinez had been unable to do.

Lautaro Martinez- 5

His bad luck began when he had two goals ruled out for offside in the opener with Saudi Arabia. How different his tournament may have gone if one of them had counted as he finished both brilliantly. After that though, he couldn’t get into the game vs Mexico and lost his place to Alvarez. His one great moment came when he converted the winning penalty in the shoot-out v Netherlands. However he was very wasteful against Australia and again in the final, missing 3 good chances which could have proven costly. 

The Greatest of All Time

With 7 goals and 3 assists, Messi had matched the exact number of goal contributions Pele and Maradona had when they were victorious in 1970 and 1986 respectively. This brought Messi’s total to 21 goal contributions at the World Cup, which is the most of any player since the record books began counting assists in 1966. It took Messi’s goal tally in major international tournaments to 26, which is more than any other player in South American football history, and his 7 here helped win him his second major trophy with Argentina after the Copa America the previous year. 

Messi had long since surpassed Pele and Maradona at club level with an unquestionable collection of goals and honours, both team and individual. His lack of international success was always levelled at him when debating his position among the all-time greats, but now having peaked at international level in his mid-30′s, scoring more in tournaments than he ever has before, Messi has put that argument to bed. Never before had so many people around the world wanted one man to lift one trophy, Messi’s immense contribution to football had many feeling he deserved to win its showpiece event after a magnificent career spanning 17 years. People got their wish and at the 5th time of asking, Lionel Messi achieved a life-long dream formed in boyhood, he had lifted the World Cup for his beloved Argentina.

“Unparalleled. There will of course always be those who argue, always be those who debate. And the debate can rage on, if you like. But as he falls in love with the object in the world that his heart most desired, it is hard to escape the supposition that he has rendered himself today, The Greatest of All Time.”- Peter Drury

[coffeefranchisehub]

Is Coffee Traded More Than Oil?

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Millions of people rely on it to kickstart their mornings and boost their productivity. But beyond its delicious aroma and flavor, coffee is also a significant commodity in the global market. Many people wonder how it compares to oil, one of the most traded commodities worldwide. In this article, we will explore whether coffee is traded more than oil, looking at various factors that influence both commodities, their trading volumes, and their impact on the global economy.

The Coffee Market: A Global Perspective

Coffee is not just a drink; it is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The global coffee market is vast, involving numerous players, including farmers, exporters, importers, and retailers. According to the International Coffee Organization, global coffee consumption reached over 166 million 60-kilogram bags in the 2020-2021 coffee year. This figure reflects a steady increase in demand for coffee, particularly in emerging markets.

Types of Coffee Beans

There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their smooth flavor and aromatic qualities. They account for about 60-70% of global coffee production. Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter flavor and are often used in espresso blends. Understanding these types of beans is essential for grasping the dynamics of the coffee market.

Coffee Production

Coffee is grown in over 70 countries, primarily in tropical regions. The top coffee-producing countries include Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia. Brazil alone accounts for about one-third of the world’s coffee production. The geographical conditions, climate, and farming practices in these regions significantly affect the quality and quantity of coffee produced.

Coffee Trading

Coffee is traded on various exchanges, including the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Futures contracts are a common way to trade coffee. These contracts allow buyers and sellers to lock in prices for future delivery. This trading helps stabilize prices and allows producers to hedge against price fluctuations.

Factors Influencing Coffee Prices

Several factors can impact coffee prices, including:

Weather Conditions: Droughts, floods, and other adverse weather events can reduce coffee yields, leading to higher prices.

Global Demand: Changes in consumer preferences and trends can drive demand for coffee, influencing prices.

Currency Fluctuations: Coffee is usually priced in U.S. dollars. Therefore, currency fluctuations can impact the purchasing power of coffee-importing countries.

Production Costs: Rising labor and production costs can affect the price of coffee. Farmers may need to increase prices to cover these costs.

The Oil Market: A Global Perspective

Oil is another crucial commodity traded worldwide. It powers vehicles, heats homes, and is a key ingredient in many products. The oil market is complex, with numerous factors influencing prices and trading volumes.

Types of Oil

There are various types of oil, including crude oil, gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Crude oil is the primary commodity traded in global markets. It is further divided into two main categories: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude. WTI is primarily traded in the United States, while Brent crude is used as a benchmark for oil prices worldwide.

Oil Production

Oil is produced in numerous countries, with major producers including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Canada. The production levels in these countries can greatly influence global oil prices. For example, decisions made by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) regarding production levels can significantly impact supply and prices.

Oil Trading

Oil is traded on various exchanges, including the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Futures contracts for oil are widely used, allowing traders to speculate on future price movements. This trading activity is often influenced by geopolitical events, economic data, and changes in supply and demand.

Factors Influencing Oil Prices

Several factors can impact oil prices, including:

Geopolitical Events: Conflicts in oil-producing regions can lead to supply disruptions and price spikes.

Economic Growth: Strong economic growth can increase demand for oil, pushing prices higher.

Technological Advances: Improvements in extraction technologies, such as fracking, can lead to increased oil production and lower prices.

Global Policies: Regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions can impact oil demand and prices.

Comparing Coffee and Oil Trading Volumes

When comparing coffee and oil trading volumes, it is essential to consider several aspects. Both commodities are vital to the global economy, but they are traded in different quantities and contexts.

Coffee Trading Volumes

Coffee trading volumes are substantial but relatively small compared to oil. According to the International Coffee Organization, around 9.9 million tons of coffee were traded globally in 2021. The trading volume on exchanges like ICE for coffee futures contracts can reach several hundred thousand contracts per day during peak trading periods. However, the overall value of the coffee market is dwarfed by that of oil.

Oil Trading Volumes

Oil trading volumes are significantly higher than those of coffee. The global oil market sees billions of barrels traded daily. In 2021, the total volume of crude oil traded globally was approximately 11 billion barrels per day. This staggering figure highlights the importance of oil in the global economy and its role as a primary energy source.

Market Capitalization

The market capitalization of coffee is also much lower than that of oil. The global coffee market is estimated to be worth around $100 billion, while the oil market is valued at over $2 trillion. This difference in market size further illustrates the disparity between the two commodities.

The Importance of Coffee and Oil in the Global Economy

While coffee is an essential commodity, oil has a more significant impact on the global economy. Oil is the backbone of many industries and plays a crucial role in transportation, manufacturing, and energy production. Changes in oil prices can have widespread effects on inflation, economic growth, and consumer behavior.

Coffee’s Role in the Economy

Coffee plays a vital role in the economies of many producing countries. It provides employment for millions of people and is a key export for countries like Brazil and Colombia. The coffee industry supports farmers, traders, and retailers, contributing significantly to local economies.

Oil’s Role in the Economy

Oil, on the other hand, is a cornerstone of the global economy. It fuels transportation, powers industries, and is a critical component of countless products. Fluctuations in oil prices can affect everything from transportation costs to the price of goods in stores. This interconnectivity highlights the importance of oil as a commodity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while coffee is an essential and widely traded commodity, it does not surpass oil in terms of trading volumes or overall economic impact. The coffee market is significant, providing livelihoods for millions and contributing to local economies. However, oil remains the dominant force in global trade, influencing economies and markets on a larger scale.

Coffee and oil serve different purposes in the global economy. Each has its unique characteristics, trading patterns, and factors influencing prices. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone interested in the commodities market.

In the end, both coffee and oil are vital to the global economy. They highlight the complexities of trade, consumption, and market dynamics. As consumers, we may enjoy a cup of coffee while driving a car powered by oil, demonstrating the interconnectedness of these two important commodities.

[newstfionline]

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Extreme heat is impacting most Americans’ electricity bills (AP) During the summer, Levena Lindahl closes off entire rooms, covers windows with blackout curtains and budgets to manage the monthly cost of electricity for air conditioning. But even then, the heat finds its way in. Lindahl, 37, who lives in North Carolina, said her monthly electricity bills in the summer used to be around $100 years ago, but they’ve since doubled. Around 7 in 10 Americans say in the last year extreme heat has had an impact on their electricity bills, ranging from minor to major, and most have seen at least a minor impact on their outdoor activities, according new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found that about 7 in 10 Americans have been personally affected by extremely hot weather or extreme heat waves over the past five years. That makes extreme heat a more common experience than other weather events or natural disasters like wildfires, major droughts and hurricanes, which up to one-third of U.S. adults said they’ve been personally affected by.

New Yorkers are warned from the skies about impending danger from storms as city deploys drones (AP) Gone is the bullhorn. Instead, New York City emergency management officials have turned high-tech, using drones to warn residents about potential threatening weather. With a buzzing sound in the background, a drone equipped with a loudspeaker flies over homes warning people who live in basement or ground-floor apartments about impending heavy rains. “Be prepared to leave your location,” said the voice from the sky in footage released Tuesday by the city’s emergency management agency. “If flooding occurs, do not hesitate.” About five teams with multiple drones each were deployed to specific neighborhoods prone to flooding. Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner, said the messages were being relayed in multiple languages. Flash floods have been deadly for New Yorkers living in basement apartments, which can quickly fill up in a deluge. Eleven people drowned in such homes in 2021 amid rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

‘Why Trash Your Own Town?’ An English City Reckons With a Riot. (NYT) Last Friday afternoon, as the pubs in the northeastern English city of Sunderland were filling with young men, Lesley McLaren made a decision: She was closing up shop early. She had heard about the riots in Southport after three children there were killed in a stabbing attack. Now, she worried that trouble might be coming to her own city. Just hours later, a violent mob swept through the streets. Rioters attacked police officers, looted stores, burned buildings and set a car on fire. Elsewhere in England and Northern Ireland the next day, people rioted in about a dozen other cities. In interviews this week, some Sunderland residents were appalled by the violence, even those who said they understood why people might be frustrated by Britain’s sharply increased rate of immigration, most of it legal. “Why trash your own town?” asked Peter Wilson, 69, who works in the Sunderland offices of the Citizens Advice charity, which helps people in crisis navigate debt, legal issues, housing problems and other challenges. Rioters burned some of the charity’s offices, though it was unclear if they were the target since they are next to a former police building that still says “police.” “Ransacking a vape shop in support of families in Southport—how does this help anybody?” Mr. Wilson said, shaking his head.

Migrants struggle to cope with Portugal’s housing crisis (Reuters) Seeking a more comfortable life, 50-year-old carpenter Andreia Costa moved to Portugal from Brazil in 2022, but within months her hopes were dashed, as the country’s housing crisis left her unable to afford accommodation and forced to live in a tent. On a site on the outskirts of Lisbon she was joined by other migrants and some locals, priced out of a city where rents have soared 94% since 2015 and house prices have risen 186%, according to housing data specialists Confidencial Imobiliario. Meanwhile, Portugal remains one of western Europe’s poorest nations with the region’s lowest average wages. The housing crisis is rooted in a chronic shortage of affordable housing, aggravated by the arrival of wealthy foreigners lured by residency rights linked for some years to property investment and tax breaks offered by the state. A tourism boom has seen a surge in short-term holiday lets, further squeezing the housing market.

State of emergency declared as Ukraine launches raid into Russia (BBC) A state of emergency has been declared in the Kursk region of Russia, as a rare cross-border attack by Ukrainian troops continued for a second day. The acting regional governor, Alexei Smirnov, said the move was necessary "to eliminate the consequences of enemy forces coming into the region". Thousands of people have also been evacuated from border areas, Mr Smirnov said earlier, adding that doctors were being drafted in from other cities. Earlier, President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of launching a "major provocation" after Moscow said hundreds of troops crossed the border near the town of Sudzha, 10km (six miles) from the border, on Tuesday morning. They were supported by 11 tanks and more than 20 armoured combat vehicles, the Kremlin added. Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory have been extremely rare since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Nobel Laureate Tapped to Lead Interim Government in Bangladesh (NYT) The president of Bangladesh on Tuesday appointed Muhammad Yunus, a pioneer in microfinance and a Nobel laureate, to oversee an interim government, accommodating demands by protesters and offering a reprieve for a country scarred by violence. The plans for a new government were announced a day after Bangladesh’s authoritarian leader, Sheikh Hasina, resigned and fled the country amid a popular uprising. With the Bangladeshi Parliament dissolved, Mr. Yunus, 84, is expected to lead a temporary government for an uncertain period of time.

Thai court orders dissolution of anti-establishment election winner (Reuters) Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday ordered the dissolution of the anti-establishment opposition party Move Forward, ruling its campaign to amend a law that protects the monarchy from criticism risked undermining the democratic system. The disbandment of Move Forward, which won most seats in the 2023 election, is the latest setback for Thailand's major political parties that are embroiled in a two-decade battle for power against a nexus of influential conservatives, old money families and the royalist military.

Hiroshima governor says nuclear disarmament must be tackled as a pressing issue, not an ideal (AP) Hiroshima officials urged world leaders Tuesday to stop relying on nuclear weapons as deterrence and take immediate action toward abolishment—not as an ideal, but to remove the risk of atomic war amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and rising tensions in East Asia. They commented as Hiroshima remembered its atomic bombing 79 years ago at the end of World War II. Hiroshima Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki said nuclear-armed nations and supporters of atomic deterrence “deliberately ignore ... the fact that once people invented a weapon, they used it without exception.” “As long as nuclear weapons exist, they will surely be used again someday,” Yuzaki said in his address at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Israeli minister says it may be ‘moral’ to starve 2 million Gazans, but ‘no one in the world would let us’ (CNN) Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said “it may be just and moral” to starve 2 million Gaza residents until Israeli hostages are returned, but “no one in the world would let us.” In a speech on Monday at the Katif Conference for National Responsibility in the town of Yad Binyamin, the far-right minister said Israel should take control of distributing aid inside Gaza and claimed that Hamas was in control of distribution channels within the strip. “It is impossible in today’s global reality to wage war—no one in the world would let us starve and thirst two million citizens, even though it may be just and moral until they return our hostages,” he said, adding that if Israel controlled aid distribution instead of Hamas, the war would have ended by now and the hostages would have returned. Israel is facing mounting criticism from aid groups and international organizations for restricting food aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. A United Nations statement, citing independent experts, indicated last month that famine has spread across the entire enclave. The experts accused Israel of conducting an “intentional and targeted starvation campaign,” which they termed a “form of genocidal violence.”

Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks, as its new leader in show of defiance (NYT/AP/compiled) Hamas has chosen a new leader after Israel killed Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s previous head, using an explosive device in Iran last week. The new chief, Yahya Sinwar, is a longtime leader of Hamas’ military planning in Gaza, where he was born. The 61 year-old’s exact location is unknown even to most of Hamas, but he’s thought to be directing his group from the tunnel networks under Gaza. Israel’s foreign minister said his official ascendancy is “yet another compelling reason to swiftly eliminate him and wipe this vile organization off the face of the earth.” Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the wider Middle East. Both Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group and Iran’s government have promised to retaliate for Israeli attacks on militant leaders on their soil, with the world waiting to see how the attacks would unfold. In a televised speech yesterday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised that his group’s response to the killing of a top Hezbollah commander would be both “strong” and “effective,” adding that the retaliation would come with or without the help of other Iran-backed militant groups. Iran also has revenge plans in the works, though it’s currently unclear when or where the country would strike. An envoy from Russia visited Iran late yesterday in order to warn Tehran against striking civilian targets in its attack, highlighting just how much the global community is worried that the response will cause a wider war in the Middle East.

In Israel and Lebanon, life goes on even as the region teeters on the edge of all-out war (AP) In Beirut, shops are open and traffic is as snarled as ever. In Tel Aviv, cafes hum with patrons and umbrellas sprout across crowded beaches. Such scenes may seem surreal in a region teetering on the edge of all-out war—and beneath the surface there is plenty of fear and anxiety. But after 10 months of near-daily border skirmishes, strikes further afield and escalating threats, a sense of fatalism seems to have set in. The killings last week of two militant leaders in Beirut and Tehran—attributed to Israel—brought vows of revenge from Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Everyone expects that an all-out war would be far more devastating than any previous conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, including the 2006 war. But in Nahariya, a coastal Israeli town just 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) south of Lebanon, Israelis lounged at the beach and surfers caught waves in the shadow of the hills rolling along the border.

[palmoilnews]

Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Canola prices floundering "Canola prices eroded from last August to a February low," explains Neil Blue, provincial crops market analyst with the Alberta government. "Following a seasonal pattern, canola prices rose during the spring, gaining over $100/tonne from those February lows." However, during June, canola prices again moved lower and have traded around in a lower range, coming close to but remaining above the February lows near $600/tonne for the November futures contract. These price levels are historically strong, although much below the record-high prices of June 2022. There are several factors affecting canola prices and constraining a significant price rally. Despite the dryness in much of western Canada last summer, 2023 canola yields were close to average and much above the drought-reduced yields of 2021. Canadian Grain Commission data shows that 11 months into the 2023-24 crop year, producer deliveries of canola were 16.6 million tonnes, just below the year ago level. Domestic use of 10.25 million tonnes, mainly canola crushing, is 900,000 tonnes above year ago at the end of June and is on pace to set a crop year record. Conversely, Canadian canola exports to June 30 are 1.35 million tonnes below last year's pace. The lower total Canadian canola use will lead to a further increase in canola carryover, although still not as high as in 2018 and 2019. Canola prices are closely related to world vegetable oil prices. For example, U.S. soybean oil prices have had a similar price movement as canola during the last year as shown in the chart below. Regarding 2024 crop prospects, canola crops in the Canadian Prairies and the U.S. are in overall good condition to mid-July. The U.S. soybean crop is rated as 68% good to excellent condition, higher than last year's 57% rating in mid-July. South American soybean production, despite being reduced in Brazil due to dryness, was high overall and is currently being marketed to the world. "Subject to a major crop threatening weather development, market action indicates expectations of average or higher production of northern hemisphere oilseed crops. Mediocre western Canadian canola basis levels indicate complacency among buyers," says Blue. Another factor affecting markets is the speculative fund position, which is reported to be record short in U.S. soybean futures. Development of a weather threat could lead to funds buying back some of those short positions and that could cause the canola price to rally. That happened in early July and, although the price rally was temporary, it did provide a brief pricing opportunity. "Following crop markets is a year-round activity, even when there are no crops in the bin," says Blue. "Although prices have moderated from those of 2022, it is potentially profitable strategy to have target prices in mind and keep at least in casual contact with the markets to be able to take advantage of pricing opportunities when they arise."

[mouthing1]

Argentina's Triumph in the Copa América

Argentina’s victory in the Copa América is a monumental achievement in the nation’s football history. The team’s triumph in the 2021 edition of the tournament ended a 28-year trophy drought and cemented their place among the elite in South American football. The Road to Victory The 2021 Copa América, held in Brazil, was a challenging tournament featuring some of the strongest teams in South…

[plethoraworldatlas]

Severe flooding in Afghanistan over the weekend has killed more than 300 people and destroyed thousands of homes in rural villages.

The flash floods—prompted by heavy rainfall—came on the heels of an extreme drought in one of the nations that is most vulnerable to the climate emergency, yet has done little to contribute to it.

"They're not net emitters of carbon," Timothy Anderson, head of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Afghanistan, toldCNN. "This is a subsistence agriculture community and society. So, they're bearing the brunt of it, without having necessarily contributed to the issue very much."

...

Resident Barakatullah told CNN that it does not often rain so high up in the mountains and that villagers had to scramble as the situation "turned dire."

"People fled to higher ground, seeking refuge in mountains and hills," he said. "Unfortunately, some individuals who were unable to leave their homes fell victim to the floodwaters."

The WFP toldThe Associated Press that more than 300 were killed, and the U.N. Children's Fund reported that at least 51 of them were children. The government said Sunday that the storms killed 315 and injured more than 1,600.

The survivors were left to bury the dead and tally their losses. All told, the disaster destroyed or damaged 8,975 homes, according to OCHA. In Baghlan province alone, the floods washed away at least six public schools, 10,200 acres of orchards, and 2,260 livestock and damaged 50 bridges and 30 hydroelectric dams.

...

The U.N. lists Afghanistan as one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis, and it also lost a signficant amount of foreign aid when the Taliban took control in 2021. The aid has only decreased in the years since.

While decades of war means that Afghanistan faces unique challenges, it's not the only country that has been inundated with severe rain since the start of 2024. Extreme flooding this spring has displaced nearly a quarter million people in East Africa and half a million in southern Brazil.

"The climate crisis continues to rear its ugly head," Teresa Anderson, the global climate justice lead at ActionAid International, said in a statement. "With the latest incident, Afghanistan joins a long list of Global South countries grappling with floods this year. And this is as the world continues funding the climate crisis by expanding fossil fuels and industrial agriculture."

[seojobnet-blog]

Increase in LNG imports highlights Brazil’s impact on prices

The growing weight of Brazil in the global LNG market has been a driver in a push for more price transparency in the region, particularly amid the backdrop of an upcoming maintenance potentially driving up import demand and LNG prices, according to an S&P Global Commodity Insights analysis.

Brazil has typically been heavily dependent on hydroelectric power generation, but in the fall of 2021 the country was hit by severe droughts draining its hydroelectric resources, and as a result imported record LNG volumes from the US. This contributed to a run up in LNG prices with both Asia and the Atlantic left grappling for volumes in the tight market and the Platts-assessed DES Northwest Europe LNG Marker prices reached a then-record of $40.145/MMBtu on Oct. 5, 2021.

Prices have since come down and Platts, a part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, launched a DES Brazil assessment on Feb. 1 and assessed the market at $8.909/MMBtu, a 40 cents/MMBtu premium to the Northwest European marker.

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Cases of chikungunya and zika fall in Brazil, but most risk clusters exhibit an upward trend

- By Julia Moióli , Agência FAPESP -

Analysis of occurrence and co-occurrence patterns shows the highest-risk clusters of chikungunya and zika in Brazil spreading from the Northeast to the Center-West and coastal areas of São Paulo state and Rio de Janeiro state in the Southeast between 2018 and 2021, and increasing again in the Northeast between 2019 and 2021.

In Brazil overall, spatial variations in the temporal trends for chikungunya and zika decreased 13% and 40% respectively, but 85% and 57% of the clusters in question displayed a rise in numbers of cases. 

These findings are from an article published in Scientific Reports by researchers at the University of São Paulo’s School of Public Health (FSP-USP) and São Paulo state’s Center for Epidemiological Surveillance (CVE) who analyzed spatial-temporal patterns of occurrence and co-occurrence of the two arboviral diseases in all Brazilian municipalities as well as the environmental and socio-economic factors associated with them.

Considered neglected tropical diseases by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), chikungunya and zika are arboviral diseases caused by viruses of the families Togaviridae and Flaviviridae respectively, and transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Case numbers of both diseases have risen worldwide in the last decade and expanded geographically: chikungunya has been reported in 116 countries and zika in 92, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the main health surveillance agency in the United States. Some 8 million people are estimated to have been infected worldwide, although the number may have reached 100 million in light of generalized underreporting of neglected tropical diseases.

The emergence and re-emergence of chikungunya and zika are facilitated by environmental factors such as urbanization, deforestation and climate change, including droughts and floods. “Identifying high-risk areas for the spread of these arboviruses is important both to control the vectors and to target public health measures correctly,” said Raquel Gardini Sanches Palasio, corresponding author of the article. She is affiliated with FSP-USP’s Department of Epidemiology, where she is a researcher in the Laboratory for Spatial Analysis in Health (LAES).

Working with her PhD thesis advisor, Francisco Chiaravalloti Neto, and other researchers at USP and CVE, Palasio analyzed more than 770,000 cases (608,388 of chikungunya and 162,992 of zika) diagnosed by laboratory test or clinical and epidemiological analysis; most were autochthonous (due to locally acquired infection). The analysis encompassed spatial, temporal and seasonal data, as well as temperature, rainfall and socio-economic factors.

The results showed that high-risk areas had higher temperatures and identified co-occurrence clusters in certain regions. “In the first few years of the period the high-risk clusters were in the Northeast. They then spread to the Center-West – zika in 2016 and chikungunya in 2018 – and to coastal areas in the Southeast – in 2018 and 2021 respectively – followed by resurgence in the Northeast,” Palasio said. 

“Spatial variations in the temporal trends for chikungunya and zika decreased 13% and 40% respectively, but numbers of cases rose in 85% and 57% of the clusters concerned. Spatial variation clusters with a growing internal trend predominated in practically all states, with annual growth of 0.85%-96.56% for chikungunya and 2.77%-53.03% for zika.

“We also found that both diseases have occurred more frequently in summer and fall in Brazil since 2015. Chikungunya is associated with low rainfall, urbanization and social inequality, while zika correlates closely with high rainfall and lack of basic sanitation.”

Both are also more frequent in urban areas with less vegetation, she said, adding that socio-economic factors appear to correlate less with zika than with chikungunya.

Next steps 

“Both diseases have the same vectors and are similar in some other ways, so theoretically they should occur in the same places. We didn’t observe perfect overlapping in space and time, however,” Palasio said.

A hypothesis raised by the researchers who conducted the study, which was funded by FAPESP, relates to socio-economic factors, environment and climate. The main source of data was the 2010 census, and next steps will include an update using fresh data from IBGE’s 2022 census.

“We also want to perform a spatial and temporal analysis using a broader dataset that takes socio-economic factors and climate [especially temperature and rainfall] into account together rather than separately,” Palasio said.

Another focus will be co-occurrence or overlapping of the two diseases. Future climate change models will be run under best-case and worst-case scenarios for greenhouse gas emissions.

The article “Zika, chikungunya and co-occurrence in Brazil: space-time clusters and associated environmental-socio-economic factors” is at: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-42930-4.

Image: Analysis of spatial variations in temporal trends for cases of chikungunya (A) and zika (B) in Brazil between 2015 and 2022. Credit: Scientific Reports.

This text was originally published by FAPESP Agency according to Creative Commons license CC-BY-NC-ND. Read the original here.

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Read Also

Mapping dengue hot spots determines risks for Zika and chikungunya

[f1]

FACTS AND STATS: A record-breaking ninth pole at the Hungaroring for Hamilton as Perez ends Q3 drought

Qualifying in Hungary saw the first trial of Pirelli’s new ‘Alternative Tyre Allocation’ format. The tyres might have started out the main talking point, but by the end everyone was marvelling at Lewis Hamilton being back on pole for the first time in a long time. He starts ahead of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, ending the Dutchman’s streak of pole positions. Here are all the rest of the best facts and stats from Budapest… The top 10 were separated by just 0.577s, exactly tying the closest top 10 in F1 history, from Brazil 2003. Lewis Hamilton scored a record-breaking ninth pole at the Hungaroring, the most by any driver at one circuit in the history of F1. Hamilton’s 104th career pole position ends the longest streak of his career without a pole, which came to 33 races between Jeddah 2021 and Hungary 2023. READ MORE: Hamilton ecstatic with breakthrough Hungary pole after ‘big rollercoaster ride’ amid Mercedes’ recent struggles It is the fourth consecutive pole position for Mercedes at this track. Norris starts at the sharp end for the third straight race Max Verstappen has only his second front row start here, after his pole back in 2019. His P2 ends a run of five straight pole positions. The winner of this race has only come from second on the grid once in the last 12 races here, which was when Hamilton won from P2 in 2016. Lando Norris has his fourth top-four start in the last five races. Oscar Piastri made it two McLarens in the top four on the grid for the second straight race. Zhou Guanyu was fifth, improving his career-best qualifying by four places. He hadn’t reached Q3 all season until today. HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from qualifying in Budapest as Hamilton takes last gap pole position The Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo out-qualified both Ferraris in the hands of Zhou. Charles Leclerc was sixth, winding up outside the top five for the third time in the last five race weekends. Valtteri Bottas qualified P7, for his 10th consecutive top-10 start at the Hungaroring, his best run at any track. Fernando Alonso was eighth but remains the only driver to reach Q3 at every race this season. Sergio Perez made it to Q3 for the first time in the last six races, and in ninth starts two places higher than last year. Nico Hulkenberg scored his sixth Q3 appearance of the season. Zhou grabbed his best qualifying of his career in Hungary Carlos Sainz started on the front row last year, but his Q2 elimination was his first since Jeddah 2021, ending a 33-race streak. The Spaniard was only 0.375s away from the best time in Q2, and yet was still eliminated. Esteban Ocon was 12th, his third straight Q2 elimination. Daniel Ricciardo’s P13 marked AlphaTauri’s best qualifying performance in the last five races. He also ended the team’s three-race streak without getting a car into Q2. Lance Stroll was 14th, the fourth time he’s failed to make Q3 this year. Pierre Gasly’s 15th was the first time he’s been eliminated in Q2 this year – he has been eliminated in Q1 three times though. George Russell was on pole here last year, but suffered a Q1 exit in 2023. It meant he was out-qualified by a team mate at the Hungaroring for the first time. Alex Albon was knocked out in Q1 after three straight Q3 appearances. READ MORE: Formula 1 to race in Hungary until 2032 Yuki Tsunoda has now been eliminated in Q1 for four consecutive race weekends for the first time in his career. Kevin Magnussen suffered his fifth Q1 exit in the last six races. Logan Sargeant as the slowest car in Q1 was just 1.105s behind the quickest car in Q1, which is the second smallest gap in history, behind Austria 2023. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

French group sold agribusiness insurance for soybean plantations on Indigenous lands in southern Brazil

An investigation by Brasil de Fato found that, despite defying legislation, the company got a federal subsidy

The Brazilian insurance company Essor, part of the giant French reinsurance group Scor, sold agribusiness insurance for the illegal cultivation of soy within the Monte Caseros Indigenous Land, in the towns of Ibiraiaras and Muliterno, both in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil.

The sale was subsidized by the Rural Insurance Premium Subsidy Program (PSR, in Portuguese), an initiative through which the federal government subsidizes part of insurance purchases with public money. The PSR funds come from the Harvest Plan.

The insurance policies were hired between 2020 and 2021 by Pedemar Cirino Rodrigues and Sandro Vazzoler, two men claiming to be farmers in Rio Grande do Sul. The area insured by Essor within the Monte Caseros Indigenous Lands totals 110.7 hectares.

At the beginning of 2022, Essor unilaterally broke off the contract with the two men, claiming it was Indigenous land, a state asset. At that time, intense droughts in southern Brazil doubled the compensation paid to farmers, threatening the financial health of insurance companies.

Continue reading.

[soccerdailyuk]

Top 10 best-paid managers in the world

Top 10 best-paid managers in the world Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, remains the highest-paid manager in global football despite some lucrative transfers this summer. Since taking charge in 2011, the Argentine has achieved great success in Madrid.  He has won two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey, and two Europa League titles, while also reaching two Champions League finals.  The club awarded him a lucrative contract until 2024, earning him approximately £30m per year, equivalent to £2.5m per month or slightly over £600,000 per week, according to The Sun. Diego Simeone's salary easily surpasses that of Premier League managers Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.  Guardiola, who achieved a historic treble with Manchester City last season, earns £20m per year, while Klopp, who ended Liverpool's Premier League drought and won their sixth European title, earns approximately £16m annually.  An unexpected entry at fourth place is Steven Gerrard, who recently joined Saudi side Al-Ettifaq and earns a staggering £15.2m per year. In his first season in the Gulf state, Steven Gerrard will certainly aim to justify his wage by improving Al-Ettifaq's seventh-place finish in the previous season's Saudi Pro League. It's worth noting that Al-Ettifaq hasn't won the title since 1987. Gerrard is the only manager outside of Europe on the list. Max Allegri, the manager of Juventus, is ranked below him. Allegri is currently in his second tenure at Juventus, having previously won five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias during his first stint. Since his return in 2021, he has yet to add any trophies to his collection. Just below Max Allegri on the list, we find former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who earns £10.6m per year as the coach of Bayern Munich, where he replaced Julian Nagelsmann.  Tuchel had a perfect start at the Allianz Arena by winning the Bundesliga title. Mauricio Pochettino, Tuchel's successor at Chelsea, follows closely with a salary of £10.4m. Mauricio Pochettino joined Chelsea in the summer as the third manager appointed by Todd Boehly. It is worth mentioning that another manager who may potentially be on the move is Carlo Ancelotti. Carlo Ancelotti has been linked with the Brazil national team job, but for now, he remains with Real Madrid, despite the club's reputation for spending large sums on players. Ancelotti earns a relatively conservative £9.6m per year. Just after him is Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax last summer and ended the club's trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.  Ten Hag's contract earns him £9m per year, slightly ahead of Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan, who guided the Italian team to the Champions League final last season. Despite his impressive work at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta just misses out on bst ten manager list. The Spanish manager reportedly earns slightly over £8m per year at Arsenal. Top 10 best-paid managers in the world Read the full article

[sagarg889]

Micro Irrigation Systems Market Development Trends, Competitive Analysis & Key Manufacturers Report by 2031

The global micro irrigation systems market is expected to grow at an exponential rate of more than 13% CAGR through the end of 2031, according to insights from the latest study from Future Market Insights (FMI) an ESOMAR-certified research and consulting firm. The report provides a detailed analysis in more than 20 high growth regional markets, with comprehensive details on the prospects of micro irrigation systems through the coming decade.

Micro irrigation systems are gaining importance in the agriculture sector, owing to their efficacy in minimizing the effects of drought conditions, at comparatively low costs. Increasing demand for water and concerns over scarcity of this natural resource, with its effects in terms of quality and crop yield will play key roles in driving the growth of the market. Growing interest in greenhouse farming is also driving micro-irrigation systems in specialized farms.

The study by FMI has analyzed the global demand for micro irrigation systems, in terms of macro-economic factors, the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, and market landscape. As per the scope of research conducted by FMI, the market has been studied on the basis of consumer interests, product segments, and regional influences, in addition to qualitative data on the players operating in the market covering both supply and demand.

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Key Takeaways from Micro Irrigation Systems Market Study

Drip irrigation systems are estimated to hold the lead, supported by lower purchase and installation costs, in addition to low water use.

Micro farming applications will reflect a relatively higher rate of growth, driving demand for lateral move and central pivot products.

United States will hold significant market share owing to the concentrated presence of market leaders in the country.

India and China will account for a high rate of growth, supported by an agrarian economy and favorable government initiatives in the industry.

Access to technologies associated to mechanized irrigation systems are generating opportunities in the Middle East and Africa region.

“The growing need for water conservation efforts driven by rising population levels and decreasing global water reserves are key factors that drive the micro irrigation systems market.  Stringent regulations associated with water becoming a rare commodity, has pushed players in the agricultural sector to invest in novel solutions to enhance the productivity of a limited volume of water. Micro irrigation systems are capable of optimizing water usage, which in turn will support market expansion for the duration of the forecast period,” says the FMI analyst

The micro irrigation systems market is expected to grow at a healthy rate during 2021 to 2031. With the essential nature of irrigation in agriculture, coupled with growing concerns over water scarcity issues, market players are expected to be focused on research and development to improve on resource optimization objectives. Field testing and collaborations with regional players is likely to gain the interest of market players through the assessment period.

Region

North America (U.S. & Canada)

Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, & Rest of LATAM)

Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, BENELUX, Nordic, & Rest of W. Europe)

Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, CIS Countries and Rest of E. Europe)

Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries, Turkey, South Africa, Israel, & Rest of MEA)

Japan

Asia Pacific excluding Japan (China, India, ASEAN, South Korea, Australia, & Rest of APEJ)

For Additional Information on this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/micro-irrigation-systems-market

Competitive Landscape

The global micro irrigation system market is moderately fragmented, with a number of regional players holding notable market share, which is likely to continue for the duration of the forecast period. Leading manufacturers are increasingly investing in new technology innovations in addition to strategic geographic expansion efforts.

Some of the leading players in the micro irrigation systems market include but are not limited to Netafim Ltd., Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., The Toro Company, Rain Bird Corporation, Hunter Industries, Valmont Industries, Rivulis Irrigation Ltd., Lindsay Corporation, Reinke Manufacturing Company Inc., EPC Industries Ltd., T-L Irrigation, Elgo irrigation, Sistema Azud SA, Nelson Irrigation Corporation, Chinadrip Irrigation Equipment Co. Ltd., Kisan Irrigation Ltd., Finolex Plasson Industries Pvt. Ltd., Ripple Aquaplast , Irritrol, Eurodrip SA.

Valuable Insights into Micro Irrigation Systems Market Study

Future Market Insights brings the detailed research report of the latest industry trends affecting growth in the global micro irrigation systems market. The market has been segmented in terms of system type and end use to offer a comprehensive overview of the industry. The study provides in-depth analysis of the key factors enabling growth in these segments across seven key regions.

Key Segments Covered

System Type

End Use

Region

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