Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Senegal: One of the greatest shocks ever?

The Preview:

Equatorial Guinea: A small nation from Africa. Not known at all for their football. Co-hosts of the CAN 2012. Worst ranked team in the competition. Ranked 141 in the world.

Senegal: 3rd favourites in the competition. African giants. Ranked 54 in the world. Many skilled footballers like Demba Ba, Moussa Sow and...Diamé.

Equatorial had already caused a minor shock as they beat Libya 1-0 and Senegal had lost to Zambia 2-1. A win for the hosts would see them through and Senegal out.

Before the match, everyone would have expected Senegal to defeat the minnows. I predicted a 5-1 win for Senegal. However, Equatorial Guinea surprised everyone with a historic win. 

1-0!

Equatorial Guinea 1-0 up:

Senegal totally dominated but just couldn't score. Out of nowhere, in the 62nd minute, Kily showed his skill a curled an amazing cross that Randy scored a header from. I couldn't believe it. Equatorial Guinea were ahead! If they hung on Senegal would be out! Come on Equatorial Guinea!

Hanging on to a historic win:

From this moment, Senegal went all out attack in an attempt to save their disastrous campaign. They, like the commentators said, literally threw the kitchen sink at them. Senegal had so many clear chances but Equatorial just got lucky and hung on to what looked like one of the greatest ever shocks in football.

Senegal had France's current top scorer this season (Moussa Sow), France's top scorer last year (Mahmadou Niang), Germany's 2nd top scorer (Demba Cissé, but he's now joined Newcastle) and England's 2nd top scorer this season (Demba Ba) but they can't score against the defence of Equatorial Guinea.

Senegal equalize:

Finally, in the 91st minute, Niang scrambled in an equalizer for Senegal and shattered Equatorial Guinea dreams. The assistant holds up the board for 5 minutes.

In the 93rd minute, Equatorial Guinea missed a chance by centimetres. It seemed it was the last chance and draw would have to be it for the underdogs.

2-1!!!:

Kily scores a screamer!

Then came an incredible finale when Kily controlled a crossfield pass before unleashing a thunderbolt that tore into the back of the net and the party had started. Equatorial Guinea have surely now caused one of the greatest shocks in football history!

And there it is, the final whistle! Confirmed: Senegal are going home after a terrible game and the whole country of Equatorial Guinea in ecstasy!

At least Wigan get Diamé back!

Later, Equatorial Guinea lost to Zambia 1-0 (no shock this time) and Libya beat Senegal 2-1 as they ended a miserable campaign. Equatorial Guinea and Zambia have qualified for the next round.

Vishal Chahwala: Flops of the season so far

GK al Habsi

RB Figeuroa CB Gohouri CB Berra LB Givet

RM Young CM Henderson CM Nasri LM Downing

ST Torres ST Tévez

Vishal Chahwala: Team of the Season so far

GK Friedel

RB Assou-Ekotto CB Kompany CB Vermaelen LB A Cole

RM Sessegnon CM Silva CM Dempsey LM Bale

ST van Persie ST Ba

Subs Vorm Enriqué Škrtel van der Vaart Mata Yakubu Yaya Touré

Tom Horn: Flops of the Season so far

GK De Gea

RB Bosingwa CB David Luiz CB Koscielney LB Hanley

RM Henderson CM Mikel CM Watson LM Crusat

ST Torres ST Carroll

Subs Cech A Cole Drogba Rodallega Chamakh Andre Santos Vermaelen Ngog Martin Petrov

Tom Horn: Team of the Season so far

GK Vorm

RB Walker CB Kompany CB King LB José Enrique

RM David Silva CM Parker LM Yaya Touré

RS Sinclair ST van Persie LS Mata Subs al Habsi Jones Taylor Ba Rooney

Monday Madness!

Bubble Football!

A Norwegian man invented a new game: Bubble Football It's exactly like football but players wear a ball filled with air on their body. In this game fouls dont exist because as soon as you fall over, you bounce straight back up! So no injuries.

Joey Barton can't stand arguing with his own player on Football Manager 2012: "Just had my first argument with myself on FM12" and "FYI @footballmanager I am not born in Runcorn. I am not 5'9 (5'11) and I am not 11st (12st). If ur gonna do it properly..."

Under performing Juventus striker, Amuari, was put on eBay buy an angry fan. The bid for him reached £8 million. The offer included: delivery in 4 working days and free shipping. This was until eBay removed it off their site.

Former Celtic player, Nakamura, gave bus travellers in Japan a shock when he curled a ball in through a window. Watch it here.

Chelsea sign three 12 year olds from Luton for £1m. No joke.

Match Report QPR 3-1 Wigan

Well this result was the probable result due to the appointment of Mark Hughes and this being his first home league game in charge but Wigan didn't do themselves proud at all. Early in the game QPR dominated and James McCarthy handles from a corner and the ref gave a penalty which Helguson put away. Shortly before half time it got worse for Wigan. Akos Buzsaky took a brilliant free kick into the top corner. 2-0 at HT Second half Sammon comes on for Wigan and does some good things and eventually Wigan score. A Hugo Rodallega free kick goes into the top corner and the game is on. But just 15 mins later Gary Caldwell gives away a penalty but al Habsi saves. However Tommy Smith's strike was unstoppable and made it 3-1 and that's how it finished.

Transfer Rumours

As quiet as this window has been it hasn't lacked a bit of excitement! Gary Cahil to chelsea is a done deal Wigan are intrested in Wolves winger Adam Hammil and apparently have had a bid accepted for leeds striker Ross McCormack. Chris Samba's transfer request has made Spurs interested and are preparing a bid for the player. Chelsea's striker crisis may see them make a 20m bid for Porto's Hulk. Also Stoke want DJ Cambell on loan for the rest of the season. Demba Cissé joins Newcastle for 10m. Liverpool sign Portuguese prospect João Carlos Teixeira for 1m.

Transfer Rumours

This window is the quietest window yet, all that money spent last year! Torres 50 m Carroll 35m Suarez 25 m The price of Carroll alone hasn't been spent so far this window! However deadline day is usually the main transfer day. So what rumours have I heard today? Well the big story is that Kenny Dalglish is willing to pay 10 million for Jermaine Defoe also PSG are after Carlos Tevez for 29 million. Liverpool are targeting a January move for 22-year-old Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair. Wigan's loan deal with spurs for Giovanni dos Santos may be off after no deal has been agreed yet. He was supposed to have joined early this week. Also Wigan are interested in Leeds striker Ross McCormack and Keith Andrews

Monday Madness!

On loan midfielder, Emmanuel Frimpong, delights Arsenal fans and nearly kills Rafael van der Vaart. Watch it here.

Paul Scholes, who just came out of retirement, urgently needed a pair of boots and decided to go to his local JJB Sports shop to buy a pair for £40.

Man City striker Balotelli randomly turned up at a local Manchester college and asked if he could use the toilet.

On a night when Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, made a return, another got hit by a football after a Leeds player aimed for his head. Watch it here.

5 a side game: Chaddy Park 16-4 Hopwood Old Boys. Paul Scholes scored 12 goals and 1 own goal. However, his cameo appeareance was against the rules, and if Hopwood appeal, the score will be reversed.

City's unpredictable striker, Balotelli, challenged a Man Utd fan, in a bowling arcade, to a duel (of sorts). A punchball machine contest. Not-so-super Mario lost.

Beckham and Balotelli's meeting

Wiping nose or kissing badge?

After meeting Mario Balotelli at the City/United game, David Beckham used a City shirt to blow his nose. Or was it to kiss the badge? Either way, it'll cause controversy in Manchester. Something his Manchester City friend, Balotelli is famous for!