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Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the 4-1 during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Valencia CF played at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on January 8, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

25 things we loved this weekend: Benzema, Firmino, Palmer & more

After that weird period of not knowing what day it is around the turn of the year, we’re finally back in the swing of things and the first proper weekend of football in 2022 didn’t disappoint – particularly some cracking ties in the FA Cup third round. 

Elsewhere, the major leagues across Europe are all back underway after their winter breaks and Roma and Juventus played out one of the games of the season, while over in Cameroon the 2021 African Cup of Nations finally got underway.

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

Roberto Firmino

The most Firmino goal you will ever see.

Kaide Gordon

Liverpool have a really special talent on their hands.

Daniel Udoh

Truly excellent shithousery.

Cole Palmer

The placement on this strike is absolutely stunning.

Ruben Dias

Flashbacks to Raheem Sterling against Italy in 2014. We’ve all been there, Ruben.

Lewis Hall

Chelsea’s academy just keeps on producing gems.

Roy Keane

Classic Keane.

 

 

Cambridge United

The FA Cup hasn’t lost its magic.

Kidderminster

The non-league side are now going to face West Ham in the next round.

Boreham Wood

We bet they all had sore heads on Sunday morning.

Chesterfield

It was a consolation in a 5-1 defeat but those Chesterfield fans didn’t care.

This commentator

You should probably turn the volume down before watching this clip.

Angel Correa

You won’t see many goals better than this in 2022.

Karim Benzema

Only Di Stefano, Raul and Ronaldo have scored more Madrid goals than him.

Vinicius

The Brazilian is already a fan favourite at Madrid but this will make him even more popular.

 

Paul Wanner

He was six months old when Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi…

Francisco Conceicao

The stuff that dreams are made of.

Lorenzo Pellegrini

A stunning goal in a remarkable game that finished Roma 3-4 Juventus.

 

Endrick

What were you doing at 15? Actually don’t answer that…

Allan Saint-Maximin

Is there a better value footballer on Twitter?

Marseille fans

They finally got over their hoodoo and look what it means to the fans.

Sadio Mane

A lovely welcome for the Senegal icon.

Jobe Bellingham

That’s one very talented family.

D’Margio Wright-Phillips

While we’re on the subject of talented families…

This fan

A classic Dad joke.


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