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Weekend soccer recap: 5 talking points

Cape Town - Sport24’s Baden Gillion highlights FIVE talking points after the weekend's footballing action.

1. Messi scores last-gasp winner to beat Madrid in El Clasico

Lionel Messi scored a 92nd minute winner as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabau to blow the La Liga title race wide open. Messi first amazingly seemed make the opposition defence move in slow motion as he equalised with a brilliant individual effort in the first half. With the game level at 2-2 heading into stoppage time, the Argentine ghosted into the Madrid box to hit a stunning winner with the last kick of the game. Madrid defender Marcelo though will be kicking himself for not bringing down Sergi Roberto as Barcelona started a counter-attacking that led to Messi's goal.

2. Chiefs crash out of Nedbank Cup

Kaizer Chiefs were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by SuperSport United after losing a tense encounter 5-3 on penalties. Bernard Parker missed an important penalty in regulation time as the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. George Maluleke then missed a penalty in the shoot-out that sent Steve Khompela's men packing.

3. Arsenal and Chelsea in FA Cup final

Arsene Wenger's reaction said it all as Arsenal scored an extra-time winner in a 2-1 win over Manchester City to advance to the FA Cup final. Wenger has come in for much criticism this season and celebrated wildly after an Alexis Sanchez goal secured a win for the Gunners. The FA Cup final will be an all-London affair as Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in the other semi-final. There were some real stunners scored in this game - none better than Nemanja Matic's effort - with a special mention to Christian Eriksen's pass leading to a Dele Alli goal.

4. United beat Burnley to keep top 4 hopes alive

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United grabbed an important three points with a 2-0 win over Burnley to keep their top-four hopes alive. Goals by Anthony Martial and the returning Wayne Rooney secured the three points. United are now just one point behind third-placed Manchester City heading into Thursday's local derby.

5. Liverpool suffer disappointing Palace loss

Liverpool suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace as former striker, Cristian Benteke, came back to haunt his former side by scoring a brace to dent Liverpool's top-four ambitions. Jurgen Klopp will be frustrated for failing to kill off the game after totally dominating the first half. Klopp's side also desperately need players. Philippe Coutinho - after scoring a scintillating free-kick - tried to single-handedly win the game, a sign that the Brazilian doesn't quite trust his team-mates.

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