Weekend Recap - Top 5 Matches

#5 - Sparta Prague vs. Sigma Olomouc 5-0

With one win away from guaranteeing their first league title in 4 years, Sparta Prague was out to show why they had only 1 league loss all year. With 2 goals in the first half and another 3 in the second, the club from Prague got to lift the trophy in front of their home supporters.





#4 - Fluminense vs. Flamengo (Fla-Flu Derby)

When these two Rio de Janeiro rivals meet, it makes no difference whether it is only 4 games or 24 games into the season. Bragging rights are on the line and the clubs would do anything to win this derby every time. Fluminense were the victors in this one with goals from former Olympic Lyon striker Fred and one late in the match from youngster Chiquinho who ran straight to the supporters knowing how important this victory is to the home crowd.




#3 - Real Betis vs. Valladolid 4-3 

19th place La Liga clubValladolid traveled to the Benito Villamarín stadium in Seville with high hopes of an easy win that would most likely get them out of a relegation spot against a Real Betis squad that has already confirmed relegation after an awful season in the Spanish first tier. Valladolid went on top in just the 1st minute and their future looked pretty secure, but the goals wouldn't stop there. 5 minutes after the Valladolid goal, Betis put the game back at level terms and the score at the half was 1-1. In the second half both teams exchanged goals with Valladolid going on top twice just to see Real Betis bounce back and tie it up at 2-2 and then 3-3. In the 91st minute, Real Betis' Juanfran scored the winning goal for Betis, a goal that makes the 6 minute highlight video below totally worth watching.




#2 - Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Dinamo Moscow 2-4 (Abandoned due to fan violence)

Up to the 87th minute, this was a brilliant spectacle of two very good football rivals in the Russian Premier League. Zenit, sitting top of the table 2 points ahead of another rival CSKA Moscow with just 2 games remaining in the season, was looking to take a step closer to a fourth title in seven years. It all started great for the home team when Portuguese national Danny gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in just the 6th minute. But 4 unanswered goals by Dinamo angered the home crowd, and even though Zenit player Alexandr Kerzhakov scored another for the hosts in the 84th to bring the damage down to 2-4, the always controversial Zenit supporters flooded the pitch and began to assault Dinamo players, at which point the officials had no choice but to abandon the match.






#1 - QPR vs. Wigan Athletic 2-1 (Promotion Playoffs Semi-Final - 2nd Leg)

With the promotion playoff finals on the line, QPR and Wigan went head-to-head in the second leg, after a cautious first match at the DW Stadium which ended in a 0-0 draw. All was to play for, and Wigan didn't wait long to take the advantage with James Perch giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute. Well into the second half Wigan's lead was still intact, but a after a couple of nice moves outside the box the ball  found the feet of Canadian QPR winger Junior Hoilett who was taken down just inside the box, and gave the home club a chance to tie the game up. QPR stiker Charlie Austin stepped up to the spot and did not disappoint the home crowd, a calm finish with Wigan keeper Carson guessing the other way. The final score after 90 minutes read 1-1 and with the absence of the away-goal rule in League Football playoffs, the game entered the extra-time segment. Just 7 minutes into the extra frame it was QPR hero Austin yet again, slotting a high ball into the back of the net, sending the Rangers to the Promotion Playoff finals and Wigan to yet another season in the 2nd tier.
  




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