Weekend Recap: 11/23 - 11/24

A stunning eruption of goals from Carlos Vela highlights a quiet weekend for Mexicans abroad:

Carlos Vela had a massive game for Sociedad

Liga BBVA

Carlos Vela helped his team overcome a 1-3 second-half deficit by scoring 4 goals, including three in the final 30 minutes, as Real Sociedad edged Celta de Vigo 4-3.  Vela was on fire the entire match, although his second and third goals appeared to be offside on second viewing.  Regardless, this was one of Vela's strongest games since transferring to the Basque side over two years ago.  It has been a difficult 2013 so far for Sociedad, but Vela is rounding into form to try to salvage their season.  With Mexico's arduous World Cup qualification process now officially successful, will Vela be mentioned for call-ups to Brazil next summer?

Elsewhere in La Liga, Giovani Dos Santos sat out Villarreal's 3-0 beatdown of Levante,  but Javier Aquino was subbed on at 62' after starting on the bench.  Villarreal remains in 4th place in La Liga.  Dos Santos sustained a thigh injury in league action two weeks ago and was being held out of Sunday's game as a precautionary measure.

Last, Hector Moreno's Espanyol destroyed Nery Castillo's Rayo Vallecano 4-1.  Castillo has been sidelined for the month of November following a muscle tear, while Moreno played his customary 90' for Espanyol.  Rumors continue to swirl over Moreno's future at the club, linking him with a possible move to the Premier League or elsewhere.

English Premier League

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez received a rare start for Manchester United as they traveled to Wales to face Cardiff City.  While he did provide a gorgeous assist for Wayne Rooney on United's first goal, Hernandez remained quiet for most of the match before being substituted at 73' when the game was still 2-1.  Cardiff later tied the game at 90', giving United a disappointing 2-2 draw against the recently-promoted side.

Primeira Liga

Hector Herrera started at CM for Porto as they fought to a 1-1 draw against Nacional in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.  He was substituted at 88', while his compatriot Diego Reyes remained an unused substitute.  Porto remain at the top of the table with 24 points, 1 point better than Sporting and Benfica.

Ligue 1

Guillermo Ochoa had a tough day as AC Ajaccio fell 3-1 to Olympique Marseille in French League action.  Ajaccio is now in relegation territory after going winless in their last 7 Ligue 1 matches.

Eredivisie

Jesus "Tecatito" Corona was subbed on at 87' in FC Twente's 5-2 win over NAC Breda.  Twente now sit in third place in a very tight Eredivisie, where 3 points separate the top 4 teams.