Gonzalo HIGUAIN scored the opening goal for Chelsea in their 2-1 win against Fulham.
It was the Argentine’s third league goal in five matches since joining Chelsea as he’s slowly showing why they signed him. A finish from close range opened the scoring for Chelsea.
With goalkeeper Willy CABALLERO back on the bench, the win kept Chelsea one point behind Arsenal in sixth place and two behind Manchester United but with a game in hand.
A total of five Argentine players scored on the opening day of MLS.
Five goal scorers sums up the opening day of Argentine players in Major League Soccer. Beginning in Columbus, Gaston SAURO scored his first career club goal as the Crew drew 1-1 against New York Red Bulls. With Columbus trailing by a goal, SAURO’s header found the back of the net.
Diego Valeri and Sebastian BLANCO both scored as Portland drew 3-3 against Colorado. Played under heavy snow conditions, VALERI scored Portland’s first of the match. They were awarded a penalty which VALERI missed but he drew Portland level off the rebound. BLANCO gave Portland the advantage off a corner kick.
Newly signed Erik GODOY scored for Vancouver in their 3-2 loss against Minnesota. After just six minutes of play, GODOY was at the end of a cross to score the first goal of the match.
Ignacio PIATTI scored for Montreal in their 2-1 win against San Jose. A lovely right footed finish from inside the area by the captain played a part in Matias ALMEYDA’s team losing their opening match of the season.
Three Argentine players scored in the same match as Udinese won 2-1 against Bologna.
Rodrigo DE PAUL, who is rumored not to make this month’s Argentina national team squad selection, gave Udinese a 1-0 lead. A penalty in the first half gave the hosts the advantage.
However, the visitors would draw level before the end of the first half. Rodrigo PALACIO scored for Bologna from close range.
Ignacio PUSSETTO would restore Udinese’s lead with a towering header which would prove to be the winner.
Lautaro MARTIENZ scored for Inter in their 2-1 loss to Cagliari.
With no Mauro ICARDI, it was Lautaro MARTINEZ who lead the attack for Inter. After falling behind due to an own goal by Ivan PERISIC, Lautaro MARTINEZ leaped in the air and scored to draw Inter level. However, it wouldn’t be enoguh as Cagliari would score shortly before half time as they would go on to win.
Despite being on the bench, Argentina U20 player Facundo COLIDIO would remain an unused substitute.
Lautaro Martinez: Had ten attempts from open play vs Cagliari last night – no player has had more in a single Serie A match all season. pic.twitter.com/goukmj4ek6
Argentina coach Lionel SCALONI is expected to announce his team for this month’s matches but there’s already a rumored list which is floating around.
If the rumored list is to be believed, captain Lionel MESSI returns while Manuel LANZINI gets the call for the first time since the FIFA World Cup and Pity MARTINEZ of the MLS is included.
Goalkeepers:
Franco ARMANI
Geronimo RULLI
Esteban ANDRADA
Paulo GAZZANIGA
Defenders:
German PEZZELLA
Lisandro MARTINEZ
Alexander BARBOSA
Juan FOYTH
Nicolas OTAMENDI
Walter KANNEMANN
Ramiro FUNES MORI
Marcos ACUNA
Nicolas TAGLIAFICO
Gabriel MERCADO
Renzo SARAVIA
Gonzalo MONTIEL
Midfielders:
Santiago ASCACIBAR
Leandro PAREDES
Ivan MARCONE
Giovani LO CELSO
Angel DI MARIA
Matias ZARACHO
Erik LAMELA
Manuel LANZINI
Rodrigo DE PAUL
Gonzalo Pity MARTINEZ
Forwards:
Lionel MESSI
Paulo DYBALA
Lautaro MARTINEZ
Dario BENEDETTO
Giovanni SIMEONE
