Delighted Leeds boss Daniel Farke believes Patrick Bamford is getting back to his best after a “world-class” strike in the 3-0 FA Cup win at Peterborough.
Bamford’s stunning volley early in the second half helped Leeds smoothly negotiate a potential banana skin at the Sky Bet League One title chasers.
The 30-year-old’s first goal of the campaign arrived in his first start on New Year’s Day when Leeds saw off Birmingham in the Championship.
He did not have to wait long for his second as he thumped in a stunning long-range volley early in the second half as Farke’s much-changed side advanced to the fourth round.
Bamford’s brilliant contribution was sandwiched by a double for skipper Ethan Ampadu, who claimed a first goal in Leeds colours with a first-half opener from Jaidon Anthony’s controversially-taken free-kick and then sealed their passage late on when heading in substitute Dan James’ corner.
“It was alright,” joked Farke when asked about the quality of Bamford’s goal.
“The whole world will praise this goal as being world-class. There are no other words for it.
“I’m delighted for him and he deserves it, but for me it is more important that he is back to his fitness level, in a good rhythm and to work for the team.
“Goals are always priceless for the confidence of offensive players and I’m sure he would take a rebound from two yards but, of course, to score in this fantastic manner is even better and he is on the right path.
“We rested some players and gave valuable minutes to others, but we were clear we wanted to win this game and go into the fourth round.
“It is never easy when you have six changes and two players also playing different positions, but it was a concentrated performance.
“It was a tight game, but we won it comfortably with three goals and a clean sheet.”
Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson saw his side’s 15-game unbeaten run at home come to an end, but he insisted: “The 3-0 scoreline flatters Leeds.
“If you’ve not watched it, it looks like a typical Championship team winning comfortably against a League One team, but it wasn’t that.
“We started nervously, but Leeds scored the first goal just as we were building momentum.
“The boys felt the referee blew the whistle for the free-kick to be taken after the ball had been kicked, but for me it’s not an excuse.
“We should be set up and organised better than that. You cannot give a team like Leeds goals like the first and third.
“If you lose a game to Bamford’s goal, you hold your hands up, but the first and third ones we conceded are not good enough.
“I’d have still been disappointed had we lost 2-0, but when it gets to 3-0 it looks so easy for Leeds even though that wasn’t the case.”
Venezuela 1-1 Argentina: Rondon equaliser thwarts world champions on Messi return
Argentina dropped points in a second successive CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier, as Venezuela held them to a 1-1 draw in Maturin.
The spoils were shared at Estadio Monumental de Maturin, where Salomon Rondon's second-half header cancelled out Nicolas Otamendi's earlier effort.
After heavy rain delayed kick-off, Argentina took the lead in the 13th minute.
Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo failed to properly clear the returning Lionel Messi's free-kick, and Otamendi reacted quickest to poke home from 12 yards out.
The hosts went close to levelling either side of the break. German Pezzella cleared off the line from Rondon, while Geronimo Rulli - deputising for the suspended Emiliano Martinez - kept out Yangel Herrera's powerful header.
However, Venezuela did grab their equaliser in the 65th minute - and subsequently a point - when Rondon rose at the near post to power home from Yeferson Soteldo's cross.
Messi returned to the international scene for the first time since limping off in tears during the Copa America final.
But the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could not help Argentina get back to winning ways, while he conceded possession the joint-most times (19) by any visiting player.
The conditions certainly affected the flow of the game, and was more to the suiting of Venezuela. Although they had just 40.1% of possession, the hosts outshot their opponents 16-8.
However, they have now failed to win their last five CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers; their longest streak since going six without victory between June and October 2021.
Israel 1-4 France: Rampant Bleus clinch back-to-back Nations League wins
France made it back-to-back wins in the Nations League, with Christopher Nkunku and Bradley Barcola among the scorers as they thrashed Israel 4-1 in Hungary.
Playing at a neutral venue in Budapest's Bozsik Arena, France flew out of the traps as Israel goalkeeper Omri Glazer let Eduardo Camavinga's strike squirm past him in the sixth minute.
Israel did draw level midway through the first half as Omri Gandelman headed Oscar Gloukh's cross home, but they were on terms for less than five minutes as Chelsea forward Nkunku flicked the ball through Ilay Feingold's legs before slotting a low finish into the far corner.
Randal Kolo Muani twice went close to extending France's lead before Matteo Guendouzi gave them breathing space in the 87th minute, rolling a finish beyond Glazer and into the bottom corner.
Didier Deschamps' men added further gloss to the scoreline two minutes later, Guendouzi finding a similar position, but this time opting to pick out Barcola for a curled finish.
The result sees France move onto six points in Group A2, one adrift of Italy – who beat them on matchday one. They face Belgium next time out on Monday.
Data Debrief: New-look Bleus sparkle
With Kylian Mbappe absent due to a niggling injury and Antoine Griezmann retiring from international football, Deschamps fielded a new-look frontline of Nkunku, Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.
Recording 33 touches in the area to Israel's five, and 15 shots to their opponents' one, France certainly impressed.
Kolo Muani was a particular bright spark despite not getting on the scoresheet, with his four chances created being at least twice as many as any other player (Theo Hernandez laid on two).
Haaland becomes Norway's record scorer with Slovenia brace
Erling Haaland became Norway's all-time leading scorer with a brace in their 3-0 victory over Slovenia.
The Manchester City striker was captaining his first nation for the first time, and marked the occasion in trademark record-breaking fashion.
Haaland broke the deadlock after just seven minutes of the Nations League clash at the Ullevaal Stadium, where Alexander Sorloth doubled the lead seven minutes after the restart.
Sorloth then turned provider just after the hour mark for Haaland, who broke Jorgen Juve's 87-year record with his 34th international goal in just 36 caps.
The result put Norway firmly in charge of Group B3 with seven points, three ahead of Austria and Slovenia, with Kazakhstan propping up the table on one point.
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