Elmer Plasencia

Plenty of Argentinians ply their craft outside of Europe. Whether it be in the Chinese Super League, Major League Soccer, Liga MX or in other Latin American leagues, Argentinians scored goals and made an impact all over the world this past weekend.

Former Albiceleste regular and PSG star, Ezequiel Lavezzi has been playing in the Chinese Super League the past few seasons. This season is another productive one for the winger, Lavezzi scored one from the penalty spot in Hebei China Fortune’s 2-0 win over Tianjin Quanjian to surpass the ten-goal mark for the season.

On the other side of the world in Major League Soccer, Argentinians scored in three separate games. Sebastián Blanco scored a goal in the 79^th minute as Portland Timbers tried to come back from a 3-1 deficit. His efforts didn’t prove to be enough as Portland Timbers slipped to defeat against Minnesota United.

Chipping away. Blanco scores his seventh goal of the season. #RCTID #MINvPOR pic.twitter.com/psWTaTAzqn

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) September 23, 2018

In Atlanta, Héctor Villalba scored his seventh goal of the season in the 61^st minute to seal a 2-0 Atlanta United victory over Real Salt Lake. Gerardo Martino’s side continue to go from strength to strength at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Federico Pipa Higuaín found the back of the net like his brother Gonzalo over the weekend. Federico was his typical clinical self for Columbus Crew SC against Colorado Rapids. He was involved in both of Columbus Crew SC’s goals in their 2-1 win over Colorado Rapids. Pipa finished the game with one goal and one assist, bringing his season totals to five goals and six assists.

Down south of the border in Liga MX another trio of Argentinians found the back of the net. On Saturday, Lobos BUAP took on Club León in an important match for both clubs as both are struggling towards the bottom of the table. Leonardo Ramos came up with late game heroics as he scored a scrappy 88th minute game winner to give Lobos BUAP a crucial three points against León.

Milton Caraglio sealed a 2-0 victory for Cruz Azul over Atlas. His 57th minute goal was Caraglio’s fourth of the season in nine matches. Cruz Azul sits at the top of the table after 10 matches with 23 points.

Cristian Menéndez scored a superb match tying goal for Veracruz who were in desperate need of a goal after losing three matches in a row. The former Atlético Tucumán centre forward deftly back-heeled the ball into the net to earn Veracruz a point and the opportunity to get back on the right track as they fight to get out of the bottom of the table.

Around South America, 11 different Argentinians scored goals in four different countries. In the Chilean Primera Division, Federico Pereyra scored a headed goal in the 76^th minute to put Huachipato up 4-0 over Deportes Tomuco in the opening game of the weekend. In the morning match on Saturday, Sebastian Jaime put a Carvajal cross in the back of the net with a diving header. Jaime’s goal couldn’t get Unión Española the three points as Palestino went on to tie it up, finishing the game 1-1.

Juan Cuevas scored one from the penalty spot to open up the scoring for Everton who went on to win their match against Unión La Calera 4-0. This broke a scoring drought for the midfielder who had not scored since May.

The last match of the weekend was a clash of top six teams with Colo Colo hosting Antofagasta. The first half was full of goals, the home side started the scoring as they went two-nil up thanks to a pair of Iván Morales goals in the opening half hour. In the 32^nd minute, Argentinian striker Flavio Ciampichetti put a penalty kick in the back of the net to put Antofagasta back within a goal but a minute later, Argentinian defender Matias Zaldivia restored Colo Colo’s lead. The second half was all Antofagasta as the team scored three goals in the last 20 minutes. Ciampichetti put in the game tying goal in the 77^th minute with the game winner coming from Eduard Bello a minute later. The win puts Antofagasta in third place with seven matches to go.

In Colombia’s Liga Aguilar, Argentinians scored 4 goals for their clubs. Argentinian forward, German Cano scored a pair of 1^st half goals for Independiente Medellín as they tied Santa Fe 2 to 2.

In the final match of the day on Saturday, Millionarios hosted top three side Once Caldas. Millionarios went down 2 to 0 but were able to pull back within a goal in stoppage time of the first half with a Gabriel Hauche goal. They were able to find an equaliser in the 2^nd half to earn a point.

In Sunday’s match of Deportivo Pasto and Alianza Petrolera, Argentinian midfielder Juan Manuel Vazquez opened the scoring for Deportivo Pasto as they beat Petrolera 2 to 1.

Elsewhere on the continent, Diego Churin scored a late goal to seal a 3-0 victory for Cerro Porteño over Nacional in a top five clash.

In Peru, Emanuel Herrera scored a brace with goals in the 86^th and 92^nd minute to help Sporting Cristal to a 4-0 win. Beating multiple defenders and taking it round the goalkeeper on his way to putting it in the back of the net, the quality of one of Herrera’s efforts drew comparisons with compatriot Diego Maradona. Herrera leads the Peruvian Primera Division with 32 goals for the season.

And finally, Bernardo Cuesta who recently returned to his longtime club FBC Melgar scored a 19^th minute goal to help Melgar get a 4-0 win.

Elmer Plasencia is a Peruvian living in Columbus, Ohio. Spending nearly the first decade of his life in Trujillo, Peru and Mar de Ajo, Argentina he fell in love with all things football. Moving to Ohio in 2000 he has become a fan of Major League Soccer, particularly Columbus Crew SC. Making a living working as a product specialist in Corporate America. Elmer spends his free time watching, playing and writing about the beautiful game. He pays special attention to River Plate, Barcelona and West Ham United.

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