By FRANCO PANIZO
While Leo Messi was celebrating his historic feat, Cesc Fabregas was writhing in pain.
Fabregas lasted only nine minutes in Barcelona’s 2-1 over Real Betis on Sunday before being removed due to injury, and it has been determined that the Spanish international will be out for up to a month with a thigh muscle injury. Fabregas tore the bicep femoris in his left thigh early in the game before being replaced by Alexis Sanchez.
The injury rules out Fabregas for Barcelona’s final three games of the year, a pair of La Liga fixtures and a Copa del Rey Round of 16 match.
Here are more stories from around the soccer world:
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP DOWN TO FINAL FOUR TEAMS
After a pair of quarterfinals matches took place on Sunday, the FIFA Club World Cup final four in Japan are set. Al-Ahly will take on Corinthians on Wednesday after the African champions defeated hosts Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 2-1, and Chelsea will battle with Monterrey a day later in the marquee semifinals match. Monterrey defeated South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai, 3-1.
FAN ARRESTS MADE IN MANCHESTER DERBY
The Manchester Derby was overshadowed by unruly fans on Sunday, and over a dozen arrests were made throughout the match. Thirteen people were arrested for varying alleged crimes during Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Manchester City, and police are still looking for the person who threw the coin that hit Manchester United centerback Rio Ferdinand. Of the 13 fans arrested, it is known that three were fans of Man. Utd and six were City supporters.
USWNT TOP CHINA IN FIRST OF THREE GAMES
The U.S. Women’s National Team just cannot stop winning. The Americans continued their Fan Tribute Tour by defeating China, 2-0, on Saturday in the first of their three games this month. Carli Lloyd and Sidney Leroux each scored in the second half to give the U.S. the win and improve to 6-0-2 on the Fan Tribute Tour. The United States play China again on Dec. 12 and 15.
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Expecting Barcelona to not miss a beat even without Fabregas? Who do you see winning the FIFA Club World Cup? Will the USWNT finish their Fan Tribute Tour undefeated?
Share your thoughts below.