HEROES
AlAn Ruschel
One of only three survivors of the Chapecoense plane crash last year, the 28-year-old defender made his first competitive appearance since the disaster in a 0-0 draw with fellow Brazilian side Flamengo in the Sudamericana Cup. Ruschel played for 73 minutes before he was replaced, having been an unused sub in Chapecoense’s league loss to Cruzeiro the previous week.
OmAR Al sOmA
Marked his return to Syria’s national team after a five-year absence with a late equaliser to clinch the 2-2 draw with Iran that sealed a place in the World Cup play-offs.
sAmi KhediRA
The Germany midfielder bought 1,200 tickets for his country’s World Cup qualifier against Norway and gave them to children fighting cancer and socially disadvantaged youngsters in his native Stuttgart, where the game was played.
PAtRicK mullins
Scored the fastest four goals in MLS history, taking just 31 minutes of DC United’s win against San Jose Earthquakes.