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MESSI hat trick on Derbi Barceloní against Espanyol

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Lionel MESSI returned to his routine for Barcelona when they took on Espanyol at the Camp Nou.

Following Real Madrid dropping points in their earlier match, MESSI and Barça ensured not to slip up as they ran rampage against their Catalan rivals. MESSI first opened his account on the night in the 26th minute when he picked the ball up from Ivan RAKITIC in the penalty area, then proceeded to sidestep Diego LOPEZ before blasting it into the top corner. The goal stood despite there being a call for offside.

He then doubled Barça’s lead in the 35th minute, after Jordi ALBA made a cut pass in which MESSI sloted it in passed the goalkeeper. Espanyol nearly closed the deficit back to one goal just before half time when Pablo PIATTI saw his effort crash the far goal post. The diminutive number 10 completed his hat trick in the 67th minute, with ALBA again being again the provider with a cut back pass in which MESSI calmly fired the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. This was his first hat trick in 554 days dating back to March 2016 against Rayo Vallecano.

Gerrard PIQUE and Luis SUAREZ completed Espanyol’s misery of the night with a goal each as Barcelona surged to the top of La Liga with a 5-0 win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJOfs1pS5UA

Gonzalo HIGUAIN, Paulo Dybala score for Juventus

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Juventus cruised past Chievo Verona 3-0 with Gonzalo HIGUAIN and Paulo DYBALA scoring one goal each.

After leading 1-0 at half time with an own goal, Juventus came back strongly in the second half aiming to seal the game. All that changed when DYBLA, who started from the bench, was brought in for Douglas COSTA in the 54th minute. He combined well with Miralem PJANIC who set up HIGUAIN who then powered the ball into top left corner of the goal in the 58th minute, his second goal of the season.

DYBALA was so energetic on the field after coming from a disappointing National Team stint that he was destined to put his name on the score-sheet. And that happened in the 82nd minute, when he found his way past three Chievo players before slotting the third for Juventus to complete a memorable night for the Grand Old Lady.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuRLlARGB4w

Sergio AGUERO scores milestone goal for Manchester City

Sergio AGUERO was once more on the score sheet for Manchester City.

It was a memorable day for Kun. A goal, an assist and a massive 5-0 win against Liverpool. He may not have played a single second for Jorge SAMPAOLI in Argentina’s World Cup Qualifying matches against Uruguay and Venezuela but the man from Manchester scored the first goal for his team (also meant he has now scored in six consecutive matches against Liverpool at the Etihad). After receiving a pass, the Manchester City number 10 went around the goalkeeper and scored. His assist came on the third goal where he was one on one with the goalkeeper once more but unselfishly passed the ball to Gabriel JESUS who then scored.

Sergio Aguero EPL statistic
Sergio Aguero with most EPL goals as non-EU player. Photo courtesy Sky Sports

That goal for Sergio means he has scored the most Premier League goals by a non-European player as he surpassed Dwight Yorke. Sergio is now on 124 goals scored in 185 matches, with second place Dwight Yorke who has scored 104 goals in 375 matches.

Sergio AGUERO goal

Sergio AGUERO assist

Esteban CAMBIASSO announces retirement

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Esteban CAMBIASSO has announced his retirement.

Former Argentina international and Inter legend Esteban CAMBIASSO has called it a day. The 37 year old midfielder last played for Greek club Olympiacos but has had a massive career.

A product of Argentinos Juniors, Cucho played in five different leagues, reaching the pinnacle of his career with Internazionale in Italy when he won a historic treble with the club. At senior level, CAMBIASSO played with Independiente and River Plate in Argentina, Real Madrid in Spain, Internazionale in Italy, Leicester City in England and finally Olympiacos in Greece.

A total of 21 trophies won in his club career included (and obviously not limited to) a La Liga and UEFA Super Cup trophy with Real Madrid as well as a UEFA Champions League trophy, five Serie A titles and a Club World Cup with Internazionale. In Greece, CAMBIASSO ended his career on a high note winning back to back Superleague titles.

Esteban CAMBIASSO and Argentina

With his country, CAMBIASSO will forever be remembered as the goalscorer of one of the (depending on who you ask)) nicest team goals ever scored at a World Cup after rounding off a lovely play which consisted of 24 passes at the 2006 World Cup against Serbia and Montenegro. Oh and don’t worry, we have the clip of the goal below! He won two South American Youth Championships with Argentina in 1997 and 1999 and the big one at youth level, the 1997 World Cup.

An excellent midfielder and not a bad eye for goal either (90 goals in 702 matches for a defensive midfielder), it’s fair to say Esteban CAMBIASSO has left his mark on the beautiful game. Obviously for a player like CAMBIASSO, statistics won’t do him justice. A true professional, he was the back bone for Inter when they were dominating the Serie A and especially when they won the Champions League back in 2010.

Thank you for everything, Cuchu!

Esteban CAMBIASSO goal vs. Serbia and Montenegro (Spanish)

Esteban CAMBIASSO goal vs. Serbia and Montenegro (English)

Argentina versus Peru could be at La Bombonera

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Argentina’s final World Cup Qualifier could be played at La Bombonera.

Following the team’s 1-1 draw against Venezuela, there were already talks about the team playing next month’s ultimate World Cup Qualifier at home in Boca’s La Bombonera. The team has played all across the country in the past few years but in Buenos Aires, it was always el Monumental. That could soon change.

According to reports, the AFA and president Claudio TAPIA will ask FIFA and CONMEBOL if the match against Peru could be played at La Bombonera. The formal request is expected to be made Wednesday night.

There have been talks and rumors as early as last year that the federation wanted to play at the mystical Bombonera but nothing was ever done about it.