17 things we loved this weekend: Haaland, Auba, Elanga, Kubo…

It’s been over a fortnight since the Copa America and Euro 2020 came to a close and it’s probably about now you’re starting to feel withdrawal symptoms from football.

But fear not: the sport never totally stops. There’s Olympic football, as well as MLS, while across Europe clubs and players are gearing up for the 2021-22 season with pre-season friendlies. It’s less than three weeks until the Premier League is back.

Here are some of our highlights from over the weekend.

Said Benrahama

Ending the career of two Celtic players.

https://twitter.com/Zayn21333285/status/1418961933152227342

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

If only the original shot had gone in.

Calum Chambers makes it 1-0 Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/s15kR341e1

— AFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) July 24, 2021

Folarin Balogun

That backheel from Lacazette in the build-up…

⏱ 70' Willian and Balogun on
⏱ 72' Willian and Balogun combine@willianborges88 🤝 @Balogun pic.twitter.com/9MIIoXAmdP

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 25, 2021

Erling Haaland

Yeah, this happened to us at 21 too. Nothing to see here.

Erling Haaland, at 21, stopping games to give a fan his autograph.
Damn, I hadn't even locked on one signature at that age!pic.twitter.com/bWR5jeDxwX

— Rahul Pandey (@sportstoryguy) July 24, 2021

Liberato Cacace

Take a bow son.

BOOM! 💥

There were some unreal goals at #Tokyo2020 in the men's football competition.

None better than this from New Zealand's Liberato Cacace!#bbcfootball #bbcolympics

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 25, 2021

Anthony Elanga

Manchester United lost 4-2 to QPR but at least it looks like they’ve got a player on their hands.

Alex Collado

Bringing the dribbling skills while Messi’s away on his holidays.

https://twitter.com/nisimTFD/status/1419011738251546628

Glen McAuley

Unfortunately, they went on to lose the shootout. Ah well.

OH MY GOD! 🤯

Absolutely incredible goal by Glen McAuley to score his hat trick and equalise for Athlone Town, the game goes to penalties! 😱@AthloneTownAFC 4-4 @WaterfordFCie

Sign up 📺 | https://t.co/vfkMjbvRwA#LOITV | #LOI pic.twitter.com/p4lSjUewI6

— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) July 23, 2021

This miss

This is why you don’t dawdle, kids.

"Joshua Zirkzee makes it two…OH NO…oh my word!" 🗣️

An absolutely incredible miss for the Bayern man after rounding the goalkeeper 😱

What was he thinking? 😂 pic.twitter.com/m6MwC2h7Ka

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) July 24, 2021

Felipe Mora

That’s a lovely, lovely header.

Felipe Mora's forehead. Big fans. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/rYR55wh2rv

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) July 25, 2021

Giorgio Chiellini

A foolproof plan.

Giorgio Chiellini: "We are going to name all keepers Gianluigi, so in 20 years when we need a new keeper we'll find him."

The G in Goalkeeper is for Gianluigi 🙌🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/0mgQ9gzIi3

— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) July 24, 2021

Cedric Itten

Just Rangers beating Real Madrid. No big deal.

https://twitter.com/RangersGoals/status/1419384551206526977

Gustavo Bou

Pick that one out.

The way this goal by Gustavo Bou hits the crossbar not once, but twice 😱

(🎥: @MLS)pic.twitter.com/1drnpp45vZ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 25, 2021

Takefusa Kubo

The Japanese Messi is lighting up the Olympics.

https://twitter.com/zi_880/status/1419257703944294401

Jonjoe Kenny

Everton’s pre-season hasn’t exactly been ideal. But at least Kenny is scoring panenkas.

😉 https://t.co/ZqLRghjQVz pic.twitter.com/lAmioVhjGa

— Everton (@Everton) July 26, 2021

This goalkeeper

Just lovely.

This post match gesture from a goalkeeper in Uruguay is sure to brighten your day 🥰 pic.twitter.com/fAVyyd4CQ6

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) July 24, 2021

Wilfried Zaha

Pure silk in his boots.

Wilfried Zaha doing an immaculate Zinedine Zidane impression is exactly what we wanted to see on a Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/Q0UDgc8rU2

— Planet Football (@planetfutebol) July 26, 2021