Velez Sarsfield picked up a 3-2 win against Estudiantes.
In what was an absolute “will they or won’t they play” scenario, the Argentine Primera was back and we were treated to a match which produced 5 goals on Thursday. Mariano PAVONE was the author of two goals (the opening one and match winner) with Diego ZABALA scoring the the other one for Velez.
Mariano Pavone and Diego Zabala, the two goalscorers, pose together.
For Estudiantes, Augusto SOLARI scored the first one to draw level and Javier TOLEDO scored the second to make it to 2-2 before Mariano PAVONE added his second of the night in the 45th minute after a mistake at the back from Estudiantes.
Match Highlights:
On Friday it’s Patronato hosting Arsenal de Sarandi.
Esteban CAMBIASSO and Federico FAZIO were the two Argentine goalscorers in the Europa League this week.
Inter legend Esteban CAMBIASSO is still going strong. At 36 years old, CAMBIASSO is still netting them in. CAMBIASSO scored for Olympiakos in their 1-1 draw against Besiktas. The treble winner headed in from inside the area to give his team the early lead in the 36th minute.
Federico Fazio of AS Roma celebrates his Europa League goal against Besiktas.
Federico FAZIO scored for AS Roma in what was an absolute mad match against Lyon in their 4-2 loss. FAZIO’s goal, similar to CAMBIASSO’s, was a header from inside the area.
Esteban CAMBIASSO’s goal:
Inter legend Esteban Cambiasso has just scored for Olympiakos against Besiktas. pic.twitter.com/oyGoTHTJHr
One has to wonder if Argentina National Team coach Edgardo BAUZA was watching FAZIO, especially after his recent comments of him possibly playing for the Italian National Team.
Lucas PRATTO and Ramon “Wanchope” ABILA scored for their clubs in Brazil.
The man fighting against Gonzalo HIGUAIN for Argentina’s number 9 spot, Lucas PRATTO added yet another goal to his growing tally for Sao Paulo. PRATTO scored for legendary Brazilian club in their 3-1 win against ABC. The goal was his fourth in four games for his new club and gives BAUZA something to think about heading into this month’s World Cup Qualifiers.
Lionel MESSI and Javier MASCHERANO made history last night with FC Barcelona.
No team had ever done it but no team has quiet had the same success as this Barcelona team over the past 10 years. Lionel MESSI, who didn’t have the best of matches, still had the calmness to score a very important penalty kick for his team to give then a 3-0 lead.
What later happened, I’m sure you’ve all heard and seen by now. MASCHERANO played a massive game, was everywhere but extremely lucky not to give up a penalty on fellow Argentina Angel DI MARIA. Barcelona and Argentina’s number 14 confessed after the match that he did touch DI MARIA as Angel was looking to pull off his shot.
DI MARIA, who was not 100%, came on as a substitute for the French club. Meanwhile, Javier PASTORE was left out and did not play.
Lionel Messi celebrates Barcelona’s winning goal against PSG with the fans.
Here’s the full video of MESSI celebrating with the Barcelona fans.
Diego MARADONA and Pablo AIMAR will both be attending the U20 World Cup draw next week.
With Argentina having qualified for the U20 World Cup this summer in South Korea, two Argentine legends will be taking part in the ceremony for the group stage draw. Diego MARADONA won the tournament back in 1979 while Pablo AIMAR won it back in 1997 with Jose PEKERMAN as coach. The draw will be held at the Suwon Artrium on 15 March 2017.
Diego Maradona and Pablo Aimar will both attend the U20 World Cup draw.
FIFA and LOC statement:
“We are very pleased to announce that two of the biggest stars from the history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will take part in the draw for this year’s competition. This will be a fantastic inspiration for the football stars of the future and the fans who will come together in Korea Republic two months from now.”
Diego MARADONA:
“It is with great emotion that I will travel to Korea Republic to take part in the draw. It will take me back to where it all started for me, with my first major title in 1979. The U-20 World Cup is the pinnacle for every young player and hopefully this year we will see the Maradonas and Aimars of the future.”
Pablo AIMAR:
“I feel very honoured to be taking part in this event. I have very fond memories of the tournament we won in 1997. It meant the kick-off of a great footballing career for me and for many of my team-mates.”
Argentina, along with Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela are the four teams from South America which qualified for the tournament. The U20 World Cup will take place frim May 20 until June 11 in South Korea.
