Italy, Nigeria play out 2-2 draw; Aguero wins it for Argentina
21 Nov 2013 5:11 AM IST
The match came just two days after Nigeria secured qualification for the World Cup, but Stephen Keshi’s much-changed side showed great heart to hit back through Bright Dike and Shola Ameobi after Giuseppe Rossi had marked his international return by breaking the deadlock.
Italy equalised shortly after half-time through Emanuele Giaccherini, but despite the Azzurri twice hitting the frame of the goal in an occasionally frenetic second period, they were unable to avoid succumbing to a fourth consecutive draw.
Rossi and Mario Balotelli are seen as Italy’s first-choice front two in waiting and they provided an illustration of their potential as strike partners by combining for the opening goal in the 12th minute.
Balotelli brilliantly turned Azubuike Egwuekwe and fed the onrushing Rossi, who sharply readjusted his feet before lifting a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Austine Ejide.
It was Rossi’s first Italy goal since June 2011, after he spent 17 months on the sidelines due to a succession of knee injuries. to assert themselves as an attacking presence, but from nowhere they turned the game around with two goals in four minutes. American-born Dike claimed the equaliser, climbing above Manuel Pasqual to nod home Ameobi’s inviting centre, and Ameobi got on the scoresheet himself moments later when he brilliantly converted Francis Benjamin’s cross with a near-post volley.
Ejide thwarted a pair of half-volleys from Balotelli either side of half-time, but he was beaten in the 47th minute when Antonio Candreva squared for Giaccherini to sweep home an equaliser from 12 yards.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero scored twice as Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in football friendly on Monday.
Playing without superstar striker Lionel Messi, Argentina dominated the tempo most of the match against the Bosnians, who like the Albiceleste, have already booked their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
In-form Aguero opened the scoring on 40 minutes after Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was unable to snuff out the danger which ensued after a cross from Napoli’s Federico Fernandez.
Aguero doubled his tally on 66 minutes, rifling a left-footed shot past Begovic following a swift break in the area. It was another lethal exhibition of goalscoring from Aguero, who has scored 13 times in all competitions for Premier League side City this season.
Argentina, with only one loss in 12 matches, were coming off a goal-less draw with Ecuador three nights earlier. That lone defeat came at the hands of Uruguay in a qualifier after a 2014 World Cup berth had already been secured.
Tim Cahill equals goal rec as Aus beat Costa Rica
SYDNEY: Australia’s veteran Tim Cahill equalled the all-time scoring record for the country’s football team after his sole goal led to a 1-0 victory against Costa Rica in a friendly match on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Cahill scored the winning goal with a 69th minute header for the Socceroos, equalling the scoring record of 29 goals set by Damian Mori.
Italy equalised shortly after half-time through Emanuele Giaccherini, but despite the Azzurri twice hitting the frame of the goal in an occasionally frenetic second period, they were unable to avoid succumbing to a fourth consecutive draw.
Rossi and Mario Balotelli are seen as Italy’s first-choice front two in waiting and they provided an illustration of their potential as strike partners by combining for the opening goal in the 12th minute.
Balotelli brilliantly turned Azubuike Egwuekwe and fed the onrushing Rossi, who sharply readjusted his feet before lifting a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Austine Ejide.
It was Rossi’s first Italy goal since June 2011, after he spent 17 months on the sidelines due to a succession of knee injuries. to assert themselves as an attacking presence, but from nowhere they turned the game around with two goals in four minutes. American-born Dike claimed the equaliser, climbing above Manuel Pasqual to nod home Ameobi’s inviting centre, and Ameobi got on the scoresheet himself moments later when he brilliantly converted Francis Benjamin’s cross with a near-post volley.
Ejide thwarted a pair of half-volleys from Balotelli either side of half-time, but he was beaten in the 47th minute when Antonio Candreva squared for Giaccherini to sweep home an equaliser from 12 yards.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero scored twice as Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in football friendly on Monday.
Playing without superstar striker Lionel Messi, Argentina dominated the tempo most of the match against the Bosnians, who like the Albiceleste, have already booked their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
In-form Aguero opened the scoring on 40 minutes after Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was unable to snuff out the danger which ensued after a cross from Napoli’s Federico Fernandez.
Aguero doubled his tally on 66 minutes, rifling a left-footed shot past Begovic following a swift break in the area. It was another lethal exhibition of goalscoring from Aguero, who has scored 13 times in all competitions for Premier League side City this season.
Argentina, with only one loss in 12 matches, were coming off a goal-less draw with Ecuador three nights earlier. That lone defeat came at the hands of Uruguay in a qualifier after a 2014 World Cup berth had already been secured.
Tim Cahill equals goal rec as Aus beat Costa Rica
SYDNEY: Australia’s veteran Tim Cahill equalled the all-time scoring record for the country’s football team after his sole goal led to a 1-0 victory against Costa Rica in a friendly match on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Cahill scored the winning goal with a 69th minute header for the Socceroos, equalling the scoring record of 29 goals set by Damian Mori.
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