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Qatar - Ecuador Match Report

Embed from Getty Images Ecuador's players celebrate after scoring In the first game of the most controversial World Cup in history, a game that was itself controversially moved forwards by a day only 3 months before the start of the tournament, Ecuador produced a dominant display against tournament hosts Qatar.  Ecuador led within the first 5 minutes via an Enner Valencia header off of a set play but this goal was disallowed due to an initially hard to spot offside. However, the goal was shown to be clearly offside thanks to the help of the Semi Automated Offside Technology which recently debuted in the UEFA Champions League. Valencia has been in fine form for Fenerbahçe this season and has 13 goals and 4 assists in only 12 Süper Lig games, already beating his highest ever goal tally for the Turkish giants.  The story of the first half was Valencia, who became the first Ecuadorian to score 4 goals in a World Cup Finals in the 19th minute when he calmly slotted his penalt...

Player Spotlight: Ansu Fati vs Real Sociedad

Embed from Getty Images Ansu Fati (left) celebrates with Ousmane Dembélé after assisting Barcelona's second goal Ansu Fati made the difference for Barcelona on Sunday as they beat Real Sociedad 4-1 on Sunday. The Spanish international forward came off the bench in the 63rd minute with Barcelona drawing 1-1 with Sociedad and scored 1 goal and assisted 2 to secure Barcelona's victory. Both of Fati's assists came in the 5 minutes after he came on, setting up one for Ousmane Dembélé with a cheeky backheel pass and then setting up another for Robert Lewandowski only 2 minutes later. Late on. Lewandowski played provider as his pass set up Barcelona's fourth goal, scored by Ansu Fati. 

Player Spotlight: Sydney van Hooijdonk and Amin Sarr vs Vitesse

Embed from Getty Images Sydney van Hooijdonk and Amin Sarr celebrate the win vs Vitesse Sydeny van Hooijdonk and Amin Sarr combined beautifully to outclass Vitesse. Van Hooijdonk scored three, all assisted by Sarr, who scored a goal himself. Throughout the game, Van Hooijdonk played the role of the penalty box striker, deftly finishing tap-ins, while Sarr played the role of the provider. The pair were key to Heerenveen's respectable 8th place finish in the Eredivisie last season after they joined in the January tranfer window. Sarr scored 5 goals after signing permanently from Malmö and Van Hooijdonk rejoined this season after scoring 6 goals on loan from Bologna last season. The pair played fluidly together in the game and reminded me of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son of Tottenham and it'll be interesting to see how important of a role they can play for Heerenveen this season. 

Player Spotlight: Josh Sargent vs Millwall

Embed from Getty Images Josh Sargent celebrates in front of the Norwich fans After a poor start to life back in the championship, Norwich have started to pick up wins, coinciding with a run of good form by USMT's Josh Sargent. The American striker scored two against Millwall and one against Huddersfield, already bettering his Premier League tally.  Against Millwall, Sargent scored two excellant goals, his first coming from a through ball by Danel Sinani, who has 1 goal and 2 assists since returning from a loan at fellow championship side Huddersfield Town. His second came from a counter-attack after Sargent completed a smart 1-2 with Kieran Dowell and slotting a cool finish past Białkowski. A salute celebration was perfect for Norwich's Sargent. With Daryl Dike seemingly out with a long-term injury, will Sargent start for the United States at the World Cup this Winter?

Women's Champions League: Glasgow City 1 - Roma 3

  Embed from Getty Images Roma celebrate after scoring vs Glasgow.   Roma braved harsh winds away from the Italian capital to win 3-1 against an uncharacteristically direct Glasgow City side. The Giallorosse proved too much for the Scottish side and an impressive midfield display ensured that Roma controlled the game. The wind caused havoc early on as referee Ainara Acevedo had to ask Desirée Monsiváis to retake the kick-off after the wind pushed the ball away from the spot and into Glasgow's half. Ultimately, the wind proved too strong for a clean kick-off and Monsiváis was eventually allowed to take it regardless. Shortly after, the wind's influence was felt again as Glasgow were nearly gifted an early lead when a floated corner was pushed towards the goal, but the ball hit the crossbar and rebounded away.  After the early chance for Glasgow, Roma started to find their feet as Bartoli put a good chance wide. Glasgow tried to push forward but found Roma consistentl...

EFL Loan Report Week 3

  Embed from Getty Images Jaden Philogene-Bidace (left) in action for Cardiff City Every year young players from Premier League sides join teams across the EFL in search of development and game time. In this series we'll highlight a few key performances each week.  Sunderland's Ellis Simms has been in good form since signing on loan from Everton. The prolific striker scored 13 goals during loans at Blackpool and Hearts last season and has scored 3 goals in the Championship so far this season. He scored his 3rd, a scrappy toe poke past Seny Dieng, on Saturday as Sunderland were held to a 2-2 draw by QPR.  Arriving late at the back post, Jaden Philogene-Bidace scored his first goal for Cardiff in a 1-0 win vs Birmingham. The England u20 international spent the second half of last season on loan at fellow Championship club Stoke City where he made 11 appearances and scored 1 goal. Aston Villa will be hoping that with some experience under his belt, Philogene-Bidace will be...

Player Spotlight: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vs Hellas Verona

  Embed from Getty Images Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates after scoring vs Hellas Verona Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened his Napoli account against Hellas Verona on Monday. Following his move from Dinamo Batumi in July, Kvaratskhelia registered a goal and an assist as Napoli came from behind to win 5-2. The 21-year-old scored a tidy header at the back post and set up an excellant through ball for Piotr Zielinski to score. His talent was showcased in a statement season-opener from a Napoli side that will still be stinging from their failure to win the Scudetto last season.  Napoli's fans will be hoping that Kvaratskhelia can fill the Lorenzo-Insigne-shaped hole in their hearts following his move to Toronto FC in Canada. Luckily for them Kvaratskhelia is the kind of player that's easy to love, his flair makes him exciting to watch and it's helped him leave his mark in Russia with Rubin Kazan and in Georgia during his 5 months with Dinamo Batumi following the R...