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Manchester City erected a statue this Friday in honor of the Argentinian, scorer 10 years ago after a legendary scenario. A look back at one of the most defining moments in English football history.

Very few players can boast of having a statue in their effigy in England, a country where football has become a true religion that goes far beyond the borders of this sport. Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks, Thierry Henryand even Vincent Kompany. All these athletes deserve this honor only by having written the history of the « beautiful game », of their team, by having written their name deep in the hearts of the supporters. On this May 13, 2022, it is now the turn of Sergio Aguero to see a monument erected in his likeness, in memory of a goal that everyone still remembers.

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13th May 2012. Manchester City host Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens have the opportunity to triumph over their neighbor Mancunian and win their first title in 44 years.

If the opponent is modest – 17th in the Premier League that season, the mission of the men of Roberto Mancini is simple but imperative: the 3 points. And it starts pretty well. At the 39th minute, Pablo Zabaleta infiltrates the rectangle and shoots. His shot is deflected, first by the foot of a defender, then by the goalkeeper, before entering the goal through the post. The stadium explodes. City are on their way to glory.

We expect a calm second half, controlled by City. But the football gods had decided otherwise. Joleon Lescott completely misses his intervention and launches Djibril Cisse in depth. The former Liverpool player drops the ball and shoots Joe Hart. Stupor. QPR equalizes in the 48th.

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Tension escalates. The veteran Joey Barton then enters the scene and does what he knows how to do best: set fire to the powder. The « bad boy » sends his elbow in the face of Tevez. mike dean is forced to calm the spirits of the 22 players, and Vincent Kompany those of his teammates.

The scenario of this crazy day is still in its infancy. Even reduced to 10, QPR will take advantage and fully air-condition the Etihad. City defense completely forget mackie at the far post on a cross. Hearts are breaking. The Skyblues have 25 minutes to score two goals.

93:20

Despite the Mancunian offensives, nothing happens. The faces tense, the tears of the supporters flow. near the bench, Roberto Mancini crouches down, as if imploring the sky. Maybe that day he deigned to listen to her…

We go into stoppage time of the game. David Silva kicks a corner near the penalty spot. Edin Dzeko, then criticized throughout the season, rises higher than everyone and takes the lead in the goal! Mancini harangues his troops, Mancunian fans scream to push their team. City is 3 minutes from heaven… or hell.

That’s when the Argentinian comes into the picture. He looks for the one-two with Balotelli. The Italian crack manages to turn around, slips him intelligently. The « Kun » does not ask questions and shoots with all his might. The rest, we can not describe it better than with images.

« Balotelli, Agueroooooooooo !!! ». Scenes of phenomenal joy, unforgettable, just like these words overwhelmed with emotion from commentator Martin Tyler.

In Sunderland, the images of the crestfallen faces of a Manchester United player who learns that City has just scored remind us of the striking duality of football. Everything can change, in an instant, and the Red Devils move from light to shade.

During the enthronement of his statue near the City stadium, Vincent Kompany told the DH that Aguero had been « bad » for the first 93 minutes. The mark of the great, to arise at the right time, to deliver all the sky-blue people.

Thank you, Kun, for forever etching this day of May 13 in the memories of football fans.


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