The United States women’s national team clawed their way back into their quarter-final match against Sweden, but were unable to find a winner in 120 minutes of action. The lottery of penalties ultimately doomed the four-time gold medalists.
It was the first penalty shootout in the history of women’s soccer at the Olympics, and the USWNT were unable to conquer their nerves as Sweden emerged victorious, 4-3.
For Aston Villa, keeping the ball out of their own net has become akin to keeping an ice cube frozen in Hell. They were relegated from the Premier League after giving up an astonishing 76 goals last year, and they’ve now somehow managed to ship three goals to League Two side Luton.
The pick of the bunch was certainly Luton’s third — a calamitous own goal scored by Villa's Jores Okore. Under absolutely no pressure whatsoever, the Denmark center back somehow managed to cooly tuck away an opponent’s cross into his own net.
When Brazilian under-23 coach Rogerio Micale suggested that Neymar could one day quit the Brazilian national team due to a lack of respect, the parallels that could be drawn with Lionel Messi’s treatment and subsequent retirement from Argentina’s setup were almost too self-evident.
This is 100 percent, absolutely, undeniably intentional from Lionel Messi. Even if it had been a mis-hit, this would’ve been a world-class goal from Barcelona. As it stands, this bicycle assist from Messi to Luis Suarez is one of the most absurd team goals you’ll ever witness.
Andres Iniesta’s pass over the U.C. Sampdoria defense is perfectly timed — it finds Messi streaming through totally unmarked. But it’s what happens next that’s simply unreal. You can’t create team goals like this in EA Sports’ FIFA, only the real version of Barca can pull off magic like this.
It doesn’t get anymore ridiculous than this. Stephane Sessegnon, a Benin international currently without a club, was at his brilliant best as a winger during his time with Paris Saint-Germain from 2008-2011. Coming up against Sporting Lisbon, he demonstrated just how brutal he could be on the outside.
When we use euphemisms like “broke his ankles” or “ruined the defender” as journalists, we’re usually delving into sensational hyperbole. The reality of the video is nowhere near the description.
The USWNT drew 2-2 against Colombia to top Group G in Manaus on Tuesday. Goals from Crystal Dunn and Mallory Pugh for the U.S. were cancelled out by two free kicks from Maria Catalina Usme, one of which was the result of an error by U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Real Madrid narrowly escaped Sevilla in extra time of the UEFA Super Cup. Dani Carvajal's excellent individual goal ensured we got a great start to the season and also didn't have to watch a penalty shootout.
Marco Asensio introduced himself to Real Madrid fans with a rocket to open the scoring.
Asensio with an absolute screamer! pic.twitter.com/iNFQGXTNUB
Brazilian Jonathan Cafu put his club Ludogorets Razgrad on his back during their recent UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match against Red Star Belgrade.
The 25-year-old scored two goals in their 6-4 aggregate win, including this sensational solo goal. The stakes were extremely high for the Bulgarian club, and the Brazilian winger delivered with one of the finest dribbling goals you’ll see all year.
The close control he exhibits to breeze by five defenders is sensational, and his emphatic finish in the top right-hand corner of the net is simply unstoppable.
Brazil vs. Iraq ended 0-0 in an extremely frustrating afternoon for the host nation. The result could see Brazil exit if they fail to get three points against Denmark.
Photo: @theafcdotcom | Twitter
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez provided a fantastic assist for Bayer Leverkusen’s opening goal in their 3-1 friendly victory over Italian club Fiorentina. Chicharito has been the subject of intense transfer speculation over the last week, the Mexican striker adding fuel to the flames by admitting that he could still move on from Leverkusen this transfer window.