After more than six months on the injured list, Colombia’s Radamel Falcao returned to the soccer pitch, scoring a decisive goal during the Monaco-Arsenal match at Emirates Stadium in London.
The Colombian striker finally left the sidelines where he was kept for 194 days due to a knee injury he acquired in January, Colombia’s El Espectador newspaper reported on Sunday.
MORE: ACL tear confirmed, Falcao likely sidelined for World Cup
Scoring the game-winning goal at the 36 minute mark against Arsenal, “El Tigre” headed his way back into the heart of Monaco fans, who have been waiting to see the Colombian score again. The game was Falcao’s second after returning from injury, in which Monaco beat Arsenal 1-0.
The Colombian got substituted in after 72 minutes in Monaco’s first game during the Emirates Cup against Valencia that ended in a tie, international news website Mail Online reported.
For the winning goal against Arsenal, a completely unmarked Falcao netted the ball with a well-timed run on a free-kick pass by Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho.
After the victory, Monaco head coach Leonardo Jardim stated that he was satisfied with the performance of the team and Falcao, whose importance he stressed, according to British soccer site Goal.
“Falcao is indispensable to Monaco. I’m very satisfied with the performance of Falcao and that he scored,” Jardim told reporters.
“Falcao is indispensable to Monaco.” |
Falcao played 58 minutes before being replaced by French teammate Valere Germain.
The match was a part of the Emirates Cup arranged by Arsenal, in which Monaco secured third place in the four-team, pre-season tournament.
MORE: Falcao could join James Rodriguez at Real Madrid: Spanish press
Recently, Real Madrid have been reported to target the Colombian Falcao to improve their already strong offense and join Colombian national teammate James Rodriguez, who had his first day of practice on Friday with the Madrid club.
Arsenal keeper David Ospina, who also plays for the Colombian national team, has yet to debut for his new British side. Ospina was reported to have had physical discomfort after his arrival in England, according to El Espectador.
MORE: Colombia’s David Ospina officially joins Arsenal
Source
- Jardim: Falcao is indispensable to Monaco (Goal)
- Falcao regresó a la titular y al gol con el Mónaco (El Espectador)
- Valencia 2-2 Monaco: Falcao comes off the bench as first game of Emirates Cup ends in a draw (Mail Online)
