Comebacks

Cristiano Ronaldo made his return to Al-Nassr’s starting XI after yet another successful international break with Portugal — becoming the only player to reach 200 international caps — and the 38-year-old came back doing what he’s been doing best this season, scoring goals.

Who said he can’t score free kicks anymore?

Cristiano Ronaldo free kick goal vs Damac 

Yes, 38-year-old Ronaldo is still scoring free kick bangers.

For the first time since his arrival to Miami Lionel Messi failed to score in a game when the Herons defeated FC Cincinnati 5-4 on penalties (3-3 after extra time) in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at TQL Stadium on Wednesday.

Messi made up for it with two assists including a perfect ball to Leonardo Campana in the 97th minute to send the game to extra time.

Messi assist vs Cincinnati

LEO MESSI AND LEONARDO CAMPANA COME THROUGH AGAIN FOR INTER MIAMI.

Wrexham have been Hollywood gold in their first four games of League 2, the fourth tier of English soccer. The Welsh club have scored more goals than any other club in the league with 13. They’ve also conceded more than any other club… also 13.

On Saturday Wrexham had an insane comeback vs. Swindon Town for a 5-5 draw. The Red Dragons scored twice in stoppage time to earn a point.

A last-gasp goal by Amanda Ilestedt allowed Sweden to defeat South Africa 2-1 in their opening match at the 2023 World Cup.

Despite the win, the fans and the press were far from satisfied with the team's performance, deeming it "a disaster." Many believed that Sweden, ranked third in the FIFA rankings, should have demonstrated their superiority more emphatically against South Africa, a team positioned only 54th in the world.

It's been almost a year since two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas went down with an ACL injury that cost her a place at last summer's European Championship and almost the entire 2022-23 club season with Barcelona.  

Her last appearance for Spain was actually July 2, 2022, when she received her 100th cap and scored her 27th goal in a friendly against Italy.

Now, after a long and demanding road to recovery, Putellas made her long-awaited return to the national team Thursday during a friendly against fellow World Cup participants Panama. 

Brandon Vázquez came off the bench to score in the 88th minute as the U.S. men's national team salvaged a 1-1 draw with upset-minded Jamaica on Saturday in the first match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Chicago.

Vázquez, of FC Cincinnati, entered six minutes earlier and was in the right spot in front of the goal when a Jesús Ferreira cross deflected off Jamaican defender Dexter Lembikisa.

ROTTERDAM — Croatia scored twice in extra time to beat the Netherlands 4-2 in their Nations League semifinal in Rotterdam on Wednesday and advance to Sunday’s decider.

Croatia will play either Italy or Spain, who face off in the second semifinal in Enschede on Thursday, for a first major title as they continued their form from last year’s World Cup in Qatar, where they finished third.

After losing last year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final to Lyon, Barcelona redeemed themselves with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory vs. Wolfsburg on Saturday to claim their second-ever UWCL crown.

The Barcelona players must of thought they were having déjá vu of last year’s final when they once again conceded early goals. Last time against Lyon the Catalan club got scored on in the sixth and 23rd minute.

On Saturday Wolfsburg scored in the third and 37th minute.

AS Roma suffered a late collapse to lose 2-1 to Fiorentina on Saturday, effectively ending any hopes Jose Mourinho's side had of a top four finish in Serie A.

Roma are sixth in the standings on 60 points from 37 games. They are four points behind AC Milan in fourth, who face Juventus on Sunday. Atalanta, in fifth with 61 points, play Inter Milan later on Saturday.

Both Roma and Fiorentina began the match at a slow pace as they look forward to cup finals in Europe.