Argentina may have been unable to find a way past Colombia’s defence but immediately after the international break there were plenty of Argentinians on target around the globe.
Left out of that most recent Argentina squad, Gonzalo Higuaín opened his account with new club AC Milan to salvage a point against Cagliari.
The 30-year-old scored 55 goals in 105 appearances over the past two seasons for Juventus but had failed to score in his opening two games since a summer loan to Milan. It looked as though another blank could cost Milan but Higuaín rounded goalkeeper Alessio Cragno to equalise in the 55th minute following Joao Pedro’s opener.
Close to winning it in stoppage time, Higuaín had to make do with the one goal and Milan with the point while manager Genaro Guttuso admitted his side need to better play to the centre forward’s strengths. The draw leaves Milan 14th with four points from three games but with a game in hand on most.
WATCH: Higuain rounds the keeper and slots it home! pic.twitter.com/XRO922RZb8
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) September 16, 2018
Rodrigo De Paul also earned his side a point in Serie A, scoring Udinese’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with Torino.
Summer signing and compatriot Ignacio Pussetto led a 28th minute counter and switched the play to De Paul whose driven shot from outside the box took a slight deflection on its way into the bottom corner.
Torino found an equaliser but Udinese sit in tenth and De Paul already has an impressive three league goals for the season.
Another Argentinian to have started the season in good form is Ángel Di María and although the Albiceleste veteran was omitted from the recent squad, a goal in Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 win over Saint-Etienne means Di María has been directly involved in five goals.
Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani already had the champions two goals ahead when Di María thrashed a third past Stéphane Ruffier.
Moussa Diaby added a fourth as PSG cruised to victory in preparation for this week’s Champions League clash against Liverpool. The win maintains the club’s 100% start to the season and in each game, PSG have scored at least three goals.
Across the Channel it was less good news for Tottenham Hotspur as Mauricio Pochetttino’s side were beaten by Liverpool but there was at least a goal for Erik Lamela.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino had put Liverpool deservedly in control and while second half substitute Lamela pulled one back with a stoppage time volley it wasn’t enough.
Spurs’ lack of activity in the transfer market is likely to cost them a title challenge but a fit Erik Lamela will be a huge boost to the squad and the 26-year-old could be in line for an Argentina return.
Lamela scores to make it 2-1 with 2 minutes to go! #COYS #THFC #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/gTacgNK5kL
— COYS.com (@COYS_com) September 15, 2018
In the Bundesliga, Emiliano Insúa was on target in Stuttgart’s exciting 3-3 draw away to Freiburg.
The home side had led after a minute but a thunderous strike from the edge of the box by Insúa brought Stuttgart level. The visitors were forced to come from behind once again and when Insúa crossed for Mario Gomez to score a third, it looked as though Stuttgart may take the points.
Freiburg salvaged a point and Stuttgart, who had Santiago Ascacibar and Nicolás González start alongside Insúa, continue their winless start to the season.
What a feeling! Amazing goal! Erste @Bundesliga_DE Tor!! ⚽️⚪️🔴😍 pic.twitter.com/h3nYypnXJl
— Emiliano Insua (@EmilianoInsua) September 16, 2018
Injury prevented Eduardo Salvio taking part of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad but the winger was back in action for Benfica on Saturday and scored from the penalty spot in a cup win over Rio Ave.
The 28-year-old’s ability to play as a wing-back may well see him named in Scaloni’s second squad for the forthcoming friendlies.
And in Greece, Ezequiel Ponce scored his second goal since joining AEK as the Athens club easely defeated Panionios.
A close range volley by the 21-year-old set AEK on the way to a 4-0 win and Ponce now has two goals in three games.
In Liga MX, Lucas Zelarayán scored one of the goals of the weekend as Tigres drew 1-1 with Pachuca.
Former Arsenal striker Franco Jara headed Pachuca ahead but Zelarayán’s sensational strike earned the visitors a point.
The 26-year-old came close to leaving the Mexican club during the transfer window with Racing eager to sign the former Belgrano forward but Zelarayán remains key for Tigres.
Matias Alustiza headed a late fourth as Pumas defeated BUAP Lobos 4-2 on Sunday.
A Julio Furch brace gave Santos Laguna a 3-0 win against Club León and a late Rubens Sambueza penalty ensured Toluca defeated Veracruz 3-2.
In Major League Soccer (MLS), Atlanta United’s terrific season continued with a 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids. Former Lanús midfielder Miguel Almirón was central but Argentina-born Héctor Villalba added the third.
Gerardo Martino’s side leaped to the top of the Eastern Conference and in pole for this season’s Supporters’ Shield.
MLS🇺🇸
Goles de Miguel Almirón(doblete) y un tanto del recientemente nacionalizado Héctor “Tito” Villalba para el #AtlantaUnited que venció 0-3 en su visita al Colorado Rapids, tanto Almirón como Villalba fueron titulares. El Atlanta es puntero en la Conferencia Este con 57 pts. pic.twitter.com/HCs9vuciRO— Selección Paraguaya (@Seleccion_PY) September 16, 2018
golazo argentino 