Tricks

Benzema nets sublime 7-minute hat trick in Real Madrid's 6-0 win

MADRID - Karim Benzema scored three goals in seven first-half minutes as Real Madrid thrashed Real Valladolid 6-0 on Sunday to cut Barcelona's lead in LaLiga to 12 points.

The hat trick moved Benzema up to 14 league goals this season and second on the list of top scorers — three behind Barça's Robert Lewandowski.

Rodrygo's opener from a smooth counter-attack after 22 minutes opened the flood gates as Benzema took charge at the Santiago Bernabéu, netting a first half hat-trick for Real Madrid for the first time in his career.

Jamaica silenced Mexico with one of the best goals of 2023

Remember when Jamaica snatched an improbable draw against the USMNT in World Cup qualifying with an absolute thunderbastard from Michail Antonio? 

On Sunday night in CONCACAF Nations League play at the Azteca, the Reggae Boyz attempted a similar strategy against Mexico through Bobby Decordova-Reid. In the seventh-minute, the Fulham forward opened the scoring with a half-volley from the heavens.

Trinity Rodman begins new season with an unstoppable performance against OL Reign

Opening weekend of the NWSL season continued Sunday with the Washington Spirit welcoming OL Reign to Audi Field, where Trinity Rodman brought the crowd to its feet with some sublime quality on the ball and a solo game-winner in the second half.

We had a scoreless opening 45 in the nation's capital, but Rodman established herself as the standout player with a couple brilliant moments. 

One run from deep inside her own half was finished with a backheel pass and half-chance for Ashley Hatch.  

Meet Evan FerGOATson, the 18-year-old phenom who's here to save Ireland

Goalscoring has been an awfully bleak exercise for the Republic of Ireland since all-time leading scorer Robbie Keane announced his international retirement in 2016. The team only scored seven goals in nine matches during a failed qualifying cycle for Euro 2020, and things didn't get much better on the road to Qatar where Ireland only scored 11 in eight games (the majority coming against Luxembourg and Azerbaijan).

Fallen player comes up with nasty, clever bicycle kick goal while lying on the ground

Every day there's a goal that illuminates our lives. And on Sunday, that light came from Brazil thanks to Léo Reis, who got himself out of a tough spot by scoring a nasty, wonderful bicycle kick while lying on the ground.

1-0 down against Céara in the first leg of the Cearense Championship semifinals, Reis was trying to find an equalizer for his club Iguatu when reaching for an aerial cross, but he ended up on the grass with his back to goal. 

Gavi makes history by attempting two head tackles in one game

There are all sorts of stats and accolades that illustrate how talented Gavi is — the Golden Boy award, Spain's youngest goalscorer, the youngest World Cup scorer since Pelé — but he's a phenomenon best experienced live.

The sky might be falling on Barcelona (littered with fake cash featuring the word "MAFIA"), but Gavi's willing to take on that duel. "Lost cause" is not in the 18-year-old's lexicon. 

High-flying Brentford get past Tim Ream's Fulham while attempting some butt flicks

You know it's heady times in the Premier League when Brentford versus Fulham makes for can't-miss TV, and that was the case in a Monday Night Football clash at Gtech Community Stadium that outlined why both clubs are safe from relegation and eyeing a place in Europe. The London derby was a five-goal barn burner.

Brentford flew out of the traps and earned a deserved lead in the sixth-minute. A barrage of early balls into Fulham's area had been met by Tim Ream, but the American defender could only watch in horror as his attempted block deflected beyond Bernd Leno. 

Japan finds its Goal of the Season after just 3 weeks

Japan's professional leagues only began play in mid-February, but there's already a strong contender for goal of the season in the J2 League after Matchday 3 of the competition.

Shimizu S-Pulse (relegated from the top division last year) traveled to V-Varen Nagasaki on Friday and earned a 1-1 draw with one of the greatest late equalizers you'll ever see.

Ronaldinho scored his last goal for Barcelona 15 years ago and boy was it a beauty

Ronaldinho’s last Barcelona goal was scored against Atlético Madrid on March 1, 2008. At the time of writing, that moment took place 15 years ago. How time flies.

Ronaldinho’s final goal for la Blaugrana is the legacy of that game, however on the day it was a triumphant 4-2 victory for Atlético Madrid.

Ronnie scored the opening goal in the 29th minute with a spectacular bicycle kick. The assist from Xavi wasn’t too shabby either.

Messi and Mbappé combine for 3 outrageously good goals in PSG romp over Marseille

Like the rest of America, I've been selfishly hoping that Lionel Messi decides against renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and instead opts for Inter Miami, giving me one glorious day out at Allianz Field of Wil Trapp man-marking the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Pages