17-year-old Benfica youth Gedson Fernandes scored a sublime goal against Besiktas in the UEFA Youth League by cracking a volley from behind the halfway line. The elements of surprise and placement usually dictate the success of a goal from midfield, but the Portugal U-17 prospect went with sheer force in this attempt.
For all of Tottenham’s sustained excellence throughout the 2015-16 Premier League season, they’ve now got absolutely nothing to show for it. Arsenal infamously pipped Spurs to the runner-up position on the final day of the season, launching an improbable St. Totteringham’s Day, and they’ve now thrown away their reward for finishing third by being eliminated in the Champions League group stage.
Providence provided the upset of the 2016 Men's NCAA Tournament by shocking top-ranked and previously undefeated Maryland 5-4 in the second round. Even more stunning than the upset was how they went about achieving it.
Down 4-1 in the 54th minute, the Friars' season appeared all but over. However, Providence got a glimmer of hope in the 70th minute, Julian Gressel scoring his second of the match and cutting the defecit to 4-2. Thirty six seconds later, Nick Sailor scored his first goal of the season for Providence with a stunning effort from 30 yards out.
FIFA has whittled the field for the 2016 Puskas Award, awarded for the best goal of the year as voted online, down to 10. The nominees include Lionel Messi, who has yet to win the award, Neymar and 17-year-old Daniuska Rodríguez.
Check out all 10 of the nominees below. The winner will be decided on January 9 at the annual FIFA awards in Zurich.
It’s been a stunning week of goals for FC Barcelona Femení, Barcelona’s women’s team. First, Spanish international Jennifer Hermoso scored with a ridiculous sombrero flick and volley against FC Twente in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
While that goal had all the skill and technique of a Ronaldinho masterpiece, 24-year-old Olga Garcia has outdone her with this special effort against Betis in the Spanish Primera Division.
Rafa Marquez, in his 13th appearance against the United States, Rafa Marquez, the scorn of American soccer dating back to to his mid-air head butt on Cobi Jones at the 2002 World Cup, Rafa Marquez, the captain on his international swan song, Rafa Marquez. That's all you need to know: Rafa Marquez.
Mexico took the lead against the United States in the first half, but Jozy Alitdore and Bobby Wood simply weren’t having it. A clear goal scoring chance was crafted out of nothing, Jozy Altidore turning his marker with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop and sending Wood through on goal.
Wood did much of the same, simply disregarding the attentions of the Mexican defense to fire past Alfredo Talavera and equalize for the United States.
Kick off in Columbus, Ohio was greeted with resounding chants of “Dos a Cero!” from the pro-American crowd. However, the jinx has been resoundingly ended by Miguel Layun, and Mexico are desperately unlucky not to have a couple more.
Goals from Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana and Chelsea’s Gary Cahill lifted England to a 3-0 victory over Scotland in World Cup qualifying at Wembley Stadium.
England’s impeccable qualifying record continues, the Three Lions firmly in control of UEFA’s Group F following three wins and a draw from four matches. With Liverpool in tremendous Premier League form, it was no surprise to see Sturridge and Lallana get on the scoresheet while Jordan Henderson pulled the strings from midfield.
“We need to change this s---ty situation. We didn't expect this result. It could have even been worse. We weren't able to react,” Lionel Messi said after Thursday’s match, summing up their loss to Brazil as well as anyone could.
Judging by their recent form and the fact that Brazil never lost a World Cup Qualifiers match at home, it would be no stretch to predict a draw or a win against Argentina.