Image via Complex Original
There were so many talking points from the world of soccer this weekend that it was honestly quite hard to narrow them down. As a Tottenham fan, I could easily have made this a bitter rant about this weekend representing our entire season going down the toilet, but I won’t (maybe…). I went with four, ranging from the controversial, to the embarrassing, to the glorious, hoping to give you a proper taste for what went down in the EPL and beyond (and threw in a few cracking goals to round it off).
Note: I deliberately haven’t included the tragic news about 25-year-old Livorno player Piermario Morosini, which is clearly the most important story of the weekend, but has already been covered here. It goes without saying that all of our thoughts are with his family.
Cristiano Ronaldo Is Too Good
Seven days. Two games. Four goals. Another standard week at the office for the second best player on the planet. Cristiano Ronaldo is single-handedly leading Real Madrid to the Spanish League title. This week, he not only racked up a hat trick against Real's bitter cross town rivals, Atletico (including the ridiculous free kick you can see above), but then scored the crucial goal in Los Blancos' 3-1 victory over Sporting Gijon, taking his tally to 41 league goals this season. Over to you, Mr Messi. (Amazing commentary on the above goal, by the way: “more curves than Jessica Rabbit on steroids.”)
Ashley Young Loves Going Down
Manchester United's Ashley Young is a talented player, with pace and dribbling ability that would trouble any defender. Unfortunately, Ashley also has a tendency to flop, and it is starting to make him very unpopular. Last weekend, a crafty dive from Young saw QPR defender Shaun Derry sent off and earned United a crucial penalty, as well as widespread criticism from fellow players, media, and fans. Right on cue, he did EXACTLY THE SAME THING this weekend, earning a penalty against Aston Villa that Wayne Rooney scored to give United the lead.
The Ghost Goal
Complex readers, it hurts to talk about this one. With his side 1-0 up in the semi finals of the FA Cup, Chelsea's Juan Mata took a shot at goal. A desperate scramble by Tottenham duo Ledley King and Benoit Assou-Ekotto appeared to have kept the ball clear of goal, but no. Referee Martin Atkinson awarded the goal, at which point I swore, loudly, in the direction of my television. Replays showed the ball had not crossed the line, and the goal should not have counted. I swore again, this time louder and Tottenham went on to lose the game 5-1. Bias aside, the incident is just one of many that show that it is about time FIFA looked to introduce video replay technology to help referees make the right call—just like they are able to do in every other major sport.
Beckham Still Has It
There's life in the old dog yet. He might not have the pace to keep up with the kids, but David Beckham can still strike a ball like the best of them. He showed this with a wonder goal to seal a 3-1 victory for L.A. Galaxy over the Portland Timbers.
Other Goals You Don't Want To Miss
Brazilian wonderkid Ganso lobs the goalie to give Santos the lead over Catanduvense. (above)
USMNT striker Jozy Altidore lays the hammer down.
Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle nearly breaks the net.
And finally, take a bow U15 player Nkosi Burgess of the Dix Hills Heat. This is a special goal.
