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Tag: Sergio Aguero

  • Sergio Aguero scores twice in Burnley thrashing

    Sergio Aguero scores twice in Burnley thrashing

     

    Sergio Aguero scored a quick fire double as Manchester City opened up the fourth leg of a potential quadruple with a hard-fought comeback victory at the Etihad Stadium.

    Pep Guardiola’s men trailed to an Ashley Barnes strike following a bad error from John Stones before Aguero struck twice — assisted on both occasions by Ilkay Gundogan.

    David Silva then set up a third goal for Leroy Sane before substitute Bernardo Silva wrapped up the scoring.

    Aguero fired home after 56 minutes with City’s first shot on target after Gundogan found him with a quickly-taken free-kick, and then benefited from a backheel by the same player before rounding Nick Pope to score.

    Sane, whose shooting and crossing had been wayward most of the afternoon, then justified Guardiola’s decision to keep him on the pitch by sliding in a third goal from an acute angle. He then set up recently-arrived Bernardo towards the end.

    It kept the Premier League leaders on course to win all four major trophies this season and there was a poignant standing ovation for Silva after 21 minutes – his shirt number – as a show of support following the birth of his premature baby.

    Guardiola named a strong Manchester City XI despite being in the middle of a run of 16 matches in 59 days, with the Champions League to follow after that.

    Despite having most of the possession, they lacked their usual zip and sparkle without Kevin De Bruyne and the only first-half scares for Pope were a free-kick from Gundogan on the edge of the box that hit Burnley’s wall and a shot from Oleksandr Zinchenko that skimmed the roof of the net.

    In contrast, Burnley looked a threat on the rare occasions they broke forward though they should give Stones the assist for taking the lead after 25 minutes.

    City continue to win regardless of the competition. Next is Bristol City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

  • Aguero Rushed to Hospital, Collapsed During Nigeria, Argentina Clash

    Aguero Rushed to Hospital, Collapsed During Nigeria, Argentina Clash

    Sergio Aguero fainted during half-time and was taken to hospital as Nigeria stunned Argentina in a friendly on Tuesday.

    The Manchester City striker fell ill in the changing room. He was replaced by Dario Benedetto.

    Aguero had earlier scored to put his side 2-0 up, becoming the Albiceleste’s third-highest scorer in the process.

    But he suffered health issues at the break and was forced to leave the Stadion FK in Krasnodar to be given medical attention.

    He later recovered consciousness, according to TyC Sports.

    Aguero underwent tests in hospital as Nigeria came back to record a famous 4-2 win.

    Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi struck twice for Nigeria, including a stunner as he nutmegged Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano before slamming home.

    Aguero has eight goals in eight Premier League appearances for City so far this season, and his condition will be of huge concern for boss Pep Guardiola.

    The Blues go to Leicester on Saturday.

  • Argentina beat Russia in World Cup venue’s inaugural match

    Argentina beat Russia in World Cup venue’s inaugural match

    A late goal by Sergio Aguero lifted Argentina to a 1-0 win over World Cup hosts Russia in the inaugural match at Moscow’s newly-renovated Luzhniki stadium on Saturday.

    Aguero’s header found the back of the net in the 86th minute, the striker beating veteran goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev after his initial shot was blocked by the Russian defence.

    Led by team captain Lionel Messi, Argentina were dynamic from the start of the friendly but were unable to capitalise on their chances in the first half.

    Argentina’s attack expertly combined to generate several scoring chances, with Messi finding Angel Di Maria in the box in the 36th minute.

    But the Paris St Germain midfielder could not control the ball.

    “Some of the things that we planned worked in this clash against this tough opponent,” Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli told reporters.

    “We played in a courageous, bold manner. We created resistance to the pressure our opponent put us under. We need to build on this.”

    Konstantin Rausch kept Russia alive in the opening minutes of the second half by heading the ball off the line after Messi had chipped Akinfeev.

    Although they regrouped in the second half, Russia struggled to keep possession, heavily relying on Akinfeev to deny the Argentine attack.

    Russia tested Argentina for the first time in the 61st minute with a short-range shot by Denis Glushakov tapped away by goalkeeper Sergio Romero before defender German Pezzella cleared the ball.

    “We knew that it would be a tough match and that we wouldn’t have possession in some moments,” Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov said.

    “I think our defence played correctly from a tactical point of view but we were unable to start quality attacks, especially in the first half, when we had the ball.”

    Argentina’s friendly against Russia was the first test match held at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, the venue for the opening game and final of next year’s World Cup.

    Originally opened in 1956, Luzhniki was one of the venues for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

    It hosted the 2013 world athletics championships before being closed for renovations to prepare it for the World Cup.

    Argentina play Nigeria in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, which will not host any World Cup matches next year, on Nov. 14.

    Russia face Spain in a friendly in St Petersburg on the same day.

    NAN

  • friendly: Argentina burn calories for Eagles in Moscow

    friendly: Argentina burn calories for Eagles in Moscow

     

    Argentina’s stars wrapped up warm as they trained in Moscow on Tuesday in preparation for friendly games with Russia and Nigeria.

    Barcelona icon Lionel Messi and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero each wore a snood plus a pair of thermal adidas leggings as they fought the cold in the Russian capital, where the temperature was due to fall as low as -1C.

    Every player also wore gloves as they were put through their paces by manager Jorge Sampaoli.

    Messi was pictured with his snood pulled up over his mouth and nose, while he rubbed his hands together in a bid to warm up.

    Despite the cold, the Barca icon appeared to be in good spirits and was seen grinning while holding a training pole.

    Argentina booked their place at the World Cup last month when a Messi hat-trick saw them beat Ecuador 3-1 in a very different climate to sneak third place in South American qualifying.

    They are now readying themselves for next summer’s tournament by playing the hosts in Moscow on Saturday, before taking on Nigeria in Krasnodar next Tuesday.

    Russia 2018 will be the fourth World Cup to feature Messi, who has scored five goals and assisted three more in 15 previous matches at the finals.

    Super Eagles are looking forward to the November 14 showdown against Argentina in Krasnodar, a tie which many say is as important to Nigeria as it is for Argentina.  The Eagles for the first time earned their qualification with a match in hand, and after the November 4th tie against Algeria the shape up against Argentina many say is ideal and the possibility of facing them again in the world cup cannot be ruled out.  Qualified Nations will on December 1st known their opponents in the group stage.

    Russia 2018 will have a familiar look to it with 32 teams competing in the same format which FIFA has used since the 1998 edition of the tournament eight groups of four with the two top in each progressing to the knockout stages.

    The finals will begin on Thursday June 14, with the hosts taking part in the opening game, while the final is set for Sunday July 15.

  • Ogu: I can’t wait to face La Albiceleste

    Ogu: I can’t wait to face La Albiceleste

    Super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu has declared his readiness to face Argentina in the upcoming friendly on November 14 in Krasnodar, Russia.

    The Hapoel Be’er Sheva star, who was voted the Best Foreign Player in the Israeli league two seasons ago has started the current campaign in blistering form and happy with the prospect of playing against the likes of Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Pablo Dybala.

    La Albiceleste are familiar foes, having faced Nigeria at different levels on the international stage – most recently at the 2014 FIFA World Cup where the Eagles narrowly lost 3-2.

    Speaking to The Nation, Ogu revealed: “I’m looking forward to such a Grade A game against Argentina. I can’t wait.”

    The friendly game will come up three day after Nigeria’s final 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

    The Super Eagles have already booked their place in Russia as they currently lead Group B with 13 points, while Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria have 7, 6 and 1 points respectively.

  • Aguero becomes joint-top scorer in Man City history

    Aguero becomes joint-top scorer in Man City history

     

    Sergio Aguero is Manchester City’s joint-top scorer of all-time after netting his seventh Premier League goal of the season against Burnley on Saturday.

    Aguero’s first-half penalty versus Sean Dyche’s side, which came on his first appearance since breaking a rib in a car accident three weeks ago, moved him on to 177 goals in all competitions for City – level with long-time record holder Eric Brook.

    The 29-year-old opened the scoring in the 30th minute at the Etihad Stadium, sending Nick Pope the wrong way after the Burnley keeper brought down Bernardo Silva.

    Brook represented City between 1928 and 1940, winning the FA Cup and First Division title, and has been unchallenged at the top of the club’s standings for 79 years.

    The former England international amassed his overall tally across 453 games, but Aguero has raced to the same number in 262 appearances.

    The Argentina star has won two Premier League titles and the same number of EFL Cups since joining City as a club-record signing from Atletico Madrid in 2011, famously clinching the first of those honours with a dramatic winning goal deep into stoppage time against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2011-12 season.

    In Saturday’s tie Guardiola’s men failed to scale the dazzling heights of recent performances, with a tenacious and disciplined Burnley display causing them moments of discomfort before quickfire goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane made victory safe inside the final 20 minutes.

    The undefeated league leaders move on to eight wins from nine and Manchester United’s surprise 2-1 reverse at Huddersfield Town means an increase in their early control of the title race.

    Aguero opened the scoring with a 30th-minute penalty after Bernardo Silva went down under a challenge from Nick Pope, the Burnley goalkeeper who then produced a pair of brilliant saves to prevent the Argentina striker from surpassing Eric Brook’s all-time City record of 177 goals.

  • Recovering Aguero pays tribute to mum

    Recovering Aguero pays tribute to mum

     

    Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has paid tribute to his mother as he continues his recovery from a rib injury.

    The 29-year-old sustained a broken rib just over a fortnight ago when he was caught up in a horror crash in Amsterdam.

    Aguero has not featured for City since but has made rapid progress in his rehabilitation which saw him return to first-team training last week and named as an unused substitute in their 7-2 drubbing of Stoke at the weekend.

    Aguero has been working hard on the road to full recovery, but took the time out from his intensive programme to heap praise on his mother for her support during the difficult period.

    He shared a sweet snap of the pair on his official Instagram account on Sunday and accompanied it with a heartwarming caption.

    He wrote a message in Spanish which translated to: ‘Happy day to all the mothers!!! I love you mommy’.

    Clearly Pep Guardiola felt he was not ready just yet to return to his starting XI on Saturday and he could find himself missing out on their next fixture with a Champions League clash against Napoli on Tuesday looking like it may come around too soon.

    The Argentina international has been in scintillating form this season with seven goals in eight games in all competitions.

    City’s all-time Premier League top scorer will undoubtedly be chomping at the bit to return to action and will be aiming to make an appearance against Burnley on Saturday, if he can’t be ready for their European midweek tie at the Etihad.

    Aguero  who prior to the injury has been scoring freely, is   just  short of equalling Eric Brook’s City goalscoring record of 177, which had stood since 1939.

    Aguero’s return to fitness meant he missed just one City match, the victory at Chelsea on Sept. 30.  An initial prognosis suggested he could be out for up to four weeks, while his national team doctor was quoted saying he would be sidelined for six weeks.

  • Liverpool out to halt United’s charge in Anfield clash

    Liverpool out to halt United’s charge in Anfield clash

    Liverpool and Manchester United’s globe-trotting squads must shake off the effects of international duty for one of English football’s most eagerly-anticipated clashes on Saturday.

    According to Sky Sports their players clocked up 139,000 miles taking part in World Cup qualifiers since the last Premier League action.

    But all roads will lead to Anfield this weekend as the English top flight resumes after a two-week break with a potential cracker.

    The stoppage was badly-timed for United who won their last three Premier League games with nine goals scored and none conceded, albeit against sides in the lower half of the table.

    Jose Mourinho’s side, joint leaders on 19 points from seven games with Manchester City, will hope to continue that momentum in what will be their biggest test of the season to date.

    Liverpool’s form has been less impressive and Juergen Klopp’s side, beset by defensive problems, are seven points off the searing pace being set by the two Manchester rivals.

    They are also without a Premier League victory over bitter adversaries United in their last six meetings, but Mourinho says recent history will have no bearing on Saturday.

    “These kind of matches, every single moment plays a part,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “We are playing against a good team with very good players.

    “Form doesn’t matter, the moment doesn’t matter. It’s a match of three points.”

    United will be missing midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who hurt his knee playing for Belgium against Bosnia, while Paul Pogba is still absent with an injury.

    Liverpool have a potentially more significant absentee, however, with forward Sadio Mane facing a six-week layoff after injuring his hamstring representing Senegal.

    Meanwhile, City who have built up a goal difference of plus 20 during a stunning start to the campaign, will host Stoke City.

    Prolific striker, Sergio Aguero may possibly be in contention for a squad place after recovering from injuring his ribs in a car accident last month.

    Tottenham Hotspur, in third place, will attempt to lay their Wemble jinx in the league at the fourth time of asking as they host Bournemouth.

    While fourth-placed champions Chelsea, beaten by City before the international break, visit Crystal Palace.

    Toothless Palace are the first top-flight side to lose their opening seven games since Portsmouth in 2009, and the first in 129 years of the Football League to do so without scoring.

    Fifth-placed Arsenal are at Watford, while Burnley, the surprise package so far in sixth, will fancy their chances when they tackle West Ham United at Turf Moor.

    West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has leapfrogged Everton’s Ronald Koeman as favourite to be the next managerial casualty after his side’s woeful start.

    Koeman’s side travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday hoping to avoid only a second loss in 20 against newly-promoted teams in the Premier League.

    NAN

  • Sergio Aguero Dumped by Girl Friend Two-days After His Accident

    Sergio Aguero Dumped by Girl Friend Two-days After His Accident

    Manchester City ace Sergio Aguero has been dumped by his  girlfriend, Karina Tejeda just two days after he was involved in an accident in Amsterdam.
    Aguero had been dating Karina, known as The Little Princess in their Argentinian homeland, not less than four years.
    The Sun on Sunday reported it, narrating that Karina got angry after hearing that Aguero attended a party with several ­models without her knowledge.

    The striker was reported to have gone along with team-mates from the national side ahead of an international match.

    Aguero was hurt in Amsterdam on Thursday when his taxi skidded and hit a lamp-post.

    In a tweet, the ace, who had just been to a gig in the Netherlands’ capital, described it as a “very heavy slam”.

    Karina only learned of the smash from an Argentinian TV reporter.

    The Scene of the accident
    The Manchester City player broke a rib when his taxi skidded on the road and hit a lamp post in Amsterdam.She appeared blasé when told, ­shrugging her shoulders as she said: “Really? I didn’t know. Oh well.”

    Last week, she spoke about the couple’s break up while appearing on a cookery TV show in Argentina.

    Asked about the separation, she replied: “From the start I didn’t say many things. And I feel really good for having done it that way.

    “Today I don’t want to tell anything. I simply realise that people expect that I should sit down to maybe speak badly or drop a hint in one of my songs.”

  • Fantasy Football : Who could replace Sergio Aguero?

    Fantasy Football : Who could replace Sergio Aguero?

     

    Sergio Aguero fractured his rib after being involved in a car crash in Holland.

    The Manchester City star will not only be out of action this weekend but has been tipped to be out of action for two months unless of course a miracle happens to fast track his bounce back.

    The news will cause a serious headache for Fantasy Football managers as they weigh up who to replace Aguero.

    26 per cent of all players in the game had the striker in their team at the start of Friday.

    However, there will a rapid change of plan as managers look to ship out the Argentina star and secure a big-scoring replacement.

    Here are players being tipped to seize the headlines in the absence of Aguero who prior to the accident was not just on fire but was simply clinical in his finishing.

    HARRY KANE

    Kane has been the Premier League’s top scorer for the past two seasons.

    The Tottenham man is in red hot form, and scored a Champions League hat-trick against Apoel Nicosia in midweek.

    He doesn’t come cheap in Fantasy Football.

    But the England striker is a proven performer, and should be the first name on any teamsheet, particuarly now Aguero is injured.

    Cost: £12.5m

    ROMELU LUKAKU

    If not Kane, then how about the Manchester United star?

    He’s a guaranteed starter for Jose Mourinho in the Premier League and has scored in all but one of United’s top flight games this term.

    Lukaku looked set for the Golden Boot last term while at Everton but Kane pipped him to the post in the final few games of the season.

    Expect the Belgian to come close to avenging that this term.

    Cost: £11.7m.

    ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE

    The Arsenal striker has wasted little time settling in to life in the Premier League following his £52m move from Lyon.

    Lacazette scored twice against West Brom on Monday and could fill his boots against Brighton this weekend.

    The Frenchman currently has four goals to his name in the Premier League.

    Cost: £10.3m.

    ALVARO MORATA

    Another Premier League new boy who has hit the ground running.

    The Chelsea striker is in blistering form for the Blues, and has proven he’s got what it takes to shine in England after impressive spells with Juventus and Real Madrid.

    He scored a hat-trick away at Stoke last week, drawing him level with Lukaku and Aguero on six goals in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.

    Cost £10.3m.

    Jamie Vardy

    The Leicester striker blitzed Fantasy Football in 2015-16 as Leicester claimed a shock title win.

    His red-hot form made him a must-have for Fantasy Football managers.

    Vardy isn’t quite so key now, but could be a decent value replacement for Aguero as he looks to fire Leicester up the Premier League table.

    Cost: £8.5m.

    GABRIEL JESUS

    Expect Aguero’s Man City team-mate to fill the void in the Argentine’s absence.

    While Aguero has been a proven Premier League star for years, Jesus is still the new kid on the block.

    He’s impressed since arriving in January of this year, and could flourish with his strike partner out of the frame.

    Cost: £10.5m