Sports

Aguero awesome in Argentina's 7-0 win

Sergio Aguero of Argentina scores a goal past Dainel Vaca of Bolivia during their international friendly match on September 4, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Photo: AFP

A virtuoso performance from Sergio Aguero led Argentina to a 7-0 friendly win over Bolivia in Houston.

The Manchester City forward is recognised as one of the world's premier goalscorers and a pair of deft finishes kept his reputation safe and sound.

But unusually, it was his creativity that stood out with wonderful passes for both of strike partner Ezequiel Lavezzi's first-half goals as Gerardo Martino's side led 3-0 at the break.

Aguero scored his second and substitute Lionel Messi also got two, the second again set up by Aguero, before Angel Correa added a final flourish.

Mathieu Valbuena's superb late free kick earned France a deserved 1-0 friendly victory over Portugal on a night when new Manchester United striker Anthony Martial made his senior debut for Les Bleus.

Martial this week became football's most expensive teenager when United splashed out an initial £36 million to sign him from Monaco, and to cap an unforgettable few days for the 19-year-old he was handed his France bow as a second-half replacement for Karim Benzema.

He could not mark the occasion with a goal, but Euro 2016 hosts France still ran out 1-0 winners in Lisbon thanks to Valbuena's dead-ball brilliance

The Lyon playmaker sent a superb curling effort over the wall five minutes from time and, despite Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio getting finger tips to the shot, he could not keep it out.

Hector Herrera scored on a long shot in the 84th minute to help Mexico salvage a 3-3 tie with Trinidad and Tobago. Herrera's shot found the upper left corner of the goal, saving Mexico from an embarrassing loss.

Trinidad and Tobago coach Stephen Hart noted Herrera's tying kick was special.

"You can only applaud it,'' Hart said.

Joevin Jones gave Trinidad and Tobago a 3-2 lead off a free kick in the 69th minute.

T&T surprised Mexico when Jonathan Glenn scored off a header in the seventh minute, and Keron Cummings made it 2-0 in the 38th.

Mexico rallied on Carlos Esquivel's goal in the 40th minute and Raul Jimenez's in the 55th. Jimenez threaded in a shot off an assist from Esquivel.

"We were not tight on the ball tonight,'' Hart said. "We gave the ball away cheaply at times. We have to be tighter on offense and better balanced.''

Mexico will play Argentina on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

It is preparing for a 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup playoff match against the United States on Oct. 10 at the Rose Bowl.

Jozy Altidore scored twice in the United States' 2-1 comeback win against Peru as the striker made his return to the national team in a friendly at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates a goal in front of Ronald Raldes and Ronald Eguino of Bolivia during their International friendly match. Photo: AFP

Altidore earned the U.S. a penalty kick in the 59th minute. His attempt from the spot was denied by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, but the rebound went right back to Altidore, allowing him to score on the put back.

Nine minutes later, Altidore was once again in the right place at the right time, as a deflected shot by Gyasi Zardes fell right to the No. 17's feet and he calmly put it away.

Peru's Daniel Chavez gave his team the lead in the 20th minute when his shot from the top of the penalty area deflected off Omar Gonzalez and went up and over the outstretched arm of U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Honduras put three second-half goals past Venezuela for a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the South Americans.

Erick Andino opened the Honduran account in the 55th minute. Roman Castillo doubled the advantage in the 73rd before Emilio Izaquirre capped off the rout five minutes from time.

A goal from Cristhian Stuani was all Uruguay needed to see off Panama in a 1-0 win in Panama City.

The Panamanians had the possession advantage in the match, but couldn't capitalise against the South American visitors.

Comments

Aguero awesome in Argentina's 7-0 win

Sergio Aguero of Argentina scores a goal past Dainel Vaca of Bolivia during their international friendly match on September 4, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Photo: AFP

A virtuoso performance from Sergio Aguero led Argentina to a 7-0 friendly win over Bolivia in Houston.

The Manchester City forward is recognised as one of the world's premier goalscorers and a pair of deft finishes kept his reputation safe and sound.

But unusually, it was his creativity that stood out with wonderful passes for both of strike partner Ezequiel Lavezzi's first-half goals as Gerardo Martino's side led 3-0 at the break.

Aguero scored his second and substitute Lionel Messi also got two, the second again set up by Aguero, before Angel Correa added a final flourish.

Mathieu Valbuena's superb late free kick earned France a deserved 1-0 friendly victory over Portugal on a night when new Manchester United striker Anthony Martial made his senior debut for Les Bleus.

Martial this week became football's most expensive teenager when United splashed out an initial £36 million to sign him from Monaco, and to cap an unforgettable few days for the 19-year-old he was handed his France bow as a second-half replacement for Karim Benzema.

He could not mark the occasion with a goal, but Euro 2016 hosts France still ran out 1-0 winners in Lisbon thanks to Valbuena's dead-ball brilliance

The Lyon playmaker sent a superb curling effort over the wall five minutes from time and, despite Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio getting finger tips to the shot, he could not keep it out.

Hector Herrera scored on a long shot in the 84th minute to help Mexico salvage a 3-3 tie with Trinidad and Tobago. Herrera's shot found the upper left corner of the goal, saving Mexico from an embarrassing loss.

Trinidad and Tobago coach Stephen Hart noted Herrera's tying kick was special.

"You can only applaud it,'' Hart said.

Joevin Jones gave Trinidad and Tobago a 3-2 lead off a free kick in the 69th minute.

T&T surprised Mexico when Jonathan Glenn scored off a header in the seventh minute, and Keron Cummings made it 2-0 in the 38th.

Mexico rallied on Carlos Esquivel's goal in the 40th minute and Raul Jimenez's in the 55th. Jimenez threaded in a shot off an assist from Esquivel.

"We were not tight on the ball tonight,'' Hart said. "We gave the ball away cheaply at times. We have to be tighter on offense and better balanced.''

Mexico will play Argentina on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

It is preparing for a 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup playoff match against the United States on Oct. 10 at the Rose Bowl.

Jozy Altidore scored twice in the United States' 2-1 comeback win against Peru as the striker made his return to the national team in a friendly at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates a goal in front of Ronald Raldes and Ronald Eguino of Bolivia during their International friendly match. Photo: AFP

Altidore earned the U.S. a penalty kick in the 59th minute. His attempt from the spot was denied by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, but the rebound went right back to Altidore, allowing him to score on the put back.

Nine minutes later, Altidore was once again in the right place at the right time, as a deflected shot by Gyasi Zardes fell right to the No. 17's feet and he calmly put it away.

Peru's Daniel Chavez gave his team the lead in the 20th minute when his shot from the top of the penalty area deflected off Omar Gonzalez and went up and over the outstretched arm of U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Honduras put three second-half goals past Venezuela for a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the South Americans.

Erick Andino opened the Honduran account in the 55th minute. Roman Castillo doubled the advantage in the 73rd before Emilio Izaquirre capped off the rout five minutes from time.

A goal from Cristhian Stuani was all Uruguay needed to see off Panama in a 1-0 win in Panama City.

The Panamanians had the possession advantage in the match, but couldn't capitalise against the South American visitors.

Comments