A Manchester United attacker, a Liverpool defender, and a former Birmingham City striker feature in our world football round-up.
Enjoy the latest edition of our World Football video feature, every Tuesday and Friday at 1pm
1) Lionel Messi scores a hat-trick for Argentina
The world’s best player? It is hard to argue against it, while Cristiano Ronaldo was floundering for Portugal against Germany, Messi was busy scoring a hat-trick for Argentina against Brazil. A friendly, granted, but the standard of the goals and the quality of the opposition mean it should be admired all the same. Taking into account the nine international goals he has scored in 2011-12, this makes it 82 goals in 69 games this season, simply astounding.
2) Christian Benitez scores for Ecuador
Christian Benitez, remember him? Birmingham City fans will, the striker spent a season on loan with the club in the Premier League in 2009-10, but was unable to earn a permanent move, scoring just four goals. He now plays in Mexico, but it was his goal for his national team at the weekend which bring him back to our attention. He scored the winner for Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia, to take the game 1-0 with a diving stooping header. Check out the goal and the delirium below.
3) Kagawa scores for Japan
New Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa continued to keep his name in the news by scoring for Japan in their World Cup qualifier against Jordan. The attacker scored one goal in a 6-0 rout, but was topped bu Keiszuke Honda who bagged a hat-trick. The future looks bright for Japan, and it is surely only a matter of time before Honda earns a big move away from CSKA Moscow too. Check out Kagawa’s goal below.
4) Coates scores ‘ghost goal’ for Uruguay
Did it cross the line? Did Suarez get a touch with an arm? There were big questions in South America after a controversial Uruguay v Peru game. Uruguay won 4-2, and it was the opener which was the centre of the drama. Liverpool’s Sebastien Coates had the header, which Suarez attempted to help in, and the referee and linesman both agreed it went in. Uruguay went onto take the three points, we’ll leave it to you to decide for yourselves if it should have stood.
5) Showboat Ronaldinho inspires new team to win
Brazilian maestro Ronaldinho signed on for Atletico Mineiro 10 days ago after quitting Flamengo due to a wage dispute. His debut for his new club was a successful one, leading them to a 1-0 win over Palmeiras. He was full of tricks and flicks and fancy footwork, and showed at 32, he has still got it. This video is a must watch, and features all of his highlights from the match.
Do you have a video we should feature in World 5? If so Tweet us at @hitcsport
image: © Hector Garcia
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