'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Sergio Aguero manages to take his chance
Despite being in and out of Pep Guardiola's set-up of Manchester City for the new season, Argentinian ace Sergio Aguero has impressed whenever called upon. With eight goals in eight appearances in the Premier League, the former Atletico Madrid striker also became the club's all-time leading goalscorer, etching his name in the City folklore in gold.
His impressive scoring spree today seeped into his international excursions as Aguero netted for the first time for his national side since June 2016, drawing level with the legendary Diego Maradona on 34 international goals for La Albiceleste.
As the game headed into the final five minutes, Cristian Pavon latched on to Messi's pass and cut back for an on-rushing Aguero, who saw his initial effort blocked, but headed home in the follow-up to spare Argentina the blushes.
Sampaoli's faith in Aguero over Juventus star Gonzalo Higuain, who was dropped from the squad altogether, paid off. His persistence was clear by the fact that the former Sevilla gaffer refrained from substituting him, allowing him to stay on the field for the whole 90 minutes.
In the end, that persistence yielded dividends as Aguero today, saved Argentina's beacon. But more importantly, also sounded the death knell for Higuain, for whom more time on the sidelines await.
