17 things we loved this weekend: Benzema, Messi, Gavi, Mane & more

Planet Football • 11 Oct 2021

Premier League football may have had a week off due to the international break, but there was still plenty of exciting action around the world.

France came from behind to beat Spain in the UEFA Nations League final, while England moved another step closer to World Cup qualification.

We’ve rounded up the best of the action on and off the field.

Karim Benzema

Benzema is currently in the form of his life.

BENZEMA BOUNCES BACK 🔥

Watch as Oyarzabal puts Spain 1-0… only for Benzema to equal the scoring minutes after with a moment of brilliance! 😮

🇪🇸 Spain 1-1 France 🇫🇷

📺 Watch the #UEFANationsLeague Final live on Sky Football and Main Event pic.twitter.com/xRYvkVhFnf

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 10, 2021

Gavi

What were you doing at 17? In fact, don’t answer that…

Gavi's game by numbers vs. France:

87% pass accuracy
40 touches
31 passes
2 fouls
2 crosses
1 take-on completed
1 tackle made
1 foul won

Hard to believe he's only 17 years old. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/X9TxAqG58E

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 10, 2021

Jadon Sancho

Forgot about his two assists, we just want to watch this nutmeg from Sancho.

"See you later mate" 👋@Sanchooo10 with the SAUCE 😎 pic.twitter.com/jtwP8XE9zh

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 9, 2021

Lionel Messi

Messi managed to make this look so easy.

Look at Lionel Messi, how he managed to take out the ball from that crowded space and pass it.

Ultimately resulted in Lautaro Martínez goal, the third one for Argentina against Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/l6psoiFEat

— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) October 11, 2021

Sadio Mane

After a difficult 2020-21, Mane has been rediscovering his best form this season.

Sadio Mane banging one in for Senegal there pic.twitter.com/3eRcbyfNLY

— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) October 9, 2021

Jorginho

Not bad for someone who can only pass sideways.

KDB tried to press Jorginho 😭 pic.twitter.com/iNtOjdaT47

— G (@arrywinks) October 10, 2021

Armando Broja

Broja now has three goals in his three games for Albania.

I am still shijojing, we’re going to the World Cup baby in Broja we trust https://t.co/yfcLuV0rDp

— 🐎🇦🇱raki babi🇦🇱🐎 (@notchamPAINpapi) October 9, 2021

Bukayo Saka

It’s easy to forget just how young Saka is.

20 – Bukayo Saka (20y 34d) is the youngest player to score in consecutive appearances for the England men's team since Wayne Rooney in 2004 (18y 241d), while he is the youngest ever @Arsenal player to net in consecutive games for the Three Lions. Star. pic.twitter.com/dsk3GUDds0

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 9, 2021

Ildefons Lima Sola

He came up against someone 20 years younger than him and it really showed.

Next time look to slow down @Sanchooo10 🏎💨💨😉😂😂😂 #andorra #england #sancho #hamstrings #sniper 📸 @coke_deportes pic.twitter.com/B7raLbKAuA

— Ildefons Lima Solà 🇦🇩 (@ildelima6) October 9, 2021

Sorba Thomas

Just lovely.

Nine months ago, Sorba Thomas was playing for Boreham Wood. Last night, he made his debut for Wales.pic.twitter.com/b8Hqfn4Y0E

— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) October 9, 2021

Burak Yilmaz

Something undeniably funny about dives that go spectacularly wrong.

Milli Utanç ! Burak Yılmaz ! pic.twitter.com/AW7eGsnXRA

— SerCi (@SercanSerci2) October 8, 2021

Danny Ward

Sorry, Wales fans, but this is objectively hilarious.

🚨 OWN GOAL 🚨

Czech Republic 2-1 Wales (Ramsey OG, 49)

📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/Wa3ZQGyZUY

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 8, 2021

Raphinha

The Leeds United forward is enjoying his first taste of international football.

Raphinha, we have not seen this type of gravy on the right wing for years 🔥pic.twitter.com/WeaBiyvnNS

— 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) October 10, 2021

Riyad Mahrez

Pick that one out.

Sensational free-kick goal from Mahrez yesterday against Niger! pic.twitter.com/Pi4n4J9LWw

— Patric (@Simplblue88) October 9, 2021

Marcus Rashford

A national treasure.

Watch as @MarcusRashford receives his Honorary Degree from the University of Manchester 🎓❤️ pic.twitter.com/9eowtzRd48

— utdreport (@utdreport) October 8, 2021

Jordan Henderson

Just a really sound bloke, isn’t he?

I don’t know what it’s like to be racially abused but I have close friends and teammates who have been, so if there’s anything I can do to reach a different audience and make people more aware then that’s the least I can do to try and help on this issue. #BlackHistoryMonth https://t.co/Hr3s3IOoyZ

— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) October 9, 2021