Champions League Report

Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Barcelona

Last-gasp Valdes error keeps French side alive
Lionel Messi scored before succumbing to injury at half-time, and Xavi's late penalty appeared to seal the French side's fate, but Matuidi's even later strike leaves the tie open

 

 Two late, late goals saw Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain play out an enthralling 2-2 draw during the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

Tito Vilanova returned to the Blaugrana dugout for the first time in months after undergoing cancer treatment in New York, but his long-awaited comeback was tainted somewhat by the departure of Lionel Messi during half-time with a hamstring injury.

But the Argentine still managed to make his mark on the game before his withdrawal, slotting home from a glorious Dani Alves assist to give Barca a narrow lead at the interval, after PSG were the more threatening side during the first 45 minutes.

The French side would controversially find a way back into the tie in the 79th minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned home a rebound from an offside position, but their fortune was short-lived as Xavi scored a late penalty on the stroke of injury time.

But the drama was not done, as Blaise Matuidi struck with the last kick of the game, leaving it all to play for during the second-leg at Camp Nou in eight days' time.

David Beckham was handed a start for the hosts with Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi also making a swift return to their XI. Meanwhile, Victor Valdes, Jordi Alba and Xavi were restored to the visitors’ starting lineup after missing out over the weekend.

Whatever nerves PSG may have felt from the indomitable reputation of their opponents were quickly shaken off during an energetic start to the match, where they could have taken the lead twice inside the opening 20 minutes.

Lavezzi was first up with a deflected effort that cannoned off the far post, before Ibrahimovic forced a world-class save from Valdes, who saw his free-kick late after it was hammered through the wall.

Barca were not without their own early opportunities, as Andres Iniesta missed by inches with a curling shot, but it was PSG who looked like prime candidates to break the deadlock, as Javier Pastore’s 25-yarder called Valdes into action again.

But PSG could not build on their positive start, and as the first-half went on, their counterattacking threat diminished as Barca’s tiki-taka football became more of a feature.

And they were made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness five minutes before half time as Messi, anonymous until that point, drilled home from an absolutely breathtaking outside-of-the-boot pass from Alves.

The Argentine could have made it 2-0 minutes later, but could not keep his shot down after racing into a fantastic position inside the area.

And that would end up being Messi’s last notable contribution of the match, as a suspected hamstring complaint forced him off during the break, with Cesc Fabregas replacing him for the second period.

But in sharp contrast to the start of the match, the second-half saw PSG struggle to get into their stride as the tempo of the game dropped markedly.

Sergio Busquets’s long range shot was smothered convincingly by Salvatore Sirigu, and Alexis Sanchez’s poor first touch denied him a clear opening inside the box as Barca just about seemed to have the upper hand.

With 11 minutes remaining, Ibrahimovic would drag PSG back into the tie in contentious fashion, as he turned home a rebound from an offside position after Thiago Silva’s header took a ricochet off the post.

But in the 90th minute, their joy turned to despair as a moment of rashness from Sirigu sent Sanchez tumbling inside the area, leaving the referee with no choice, and Xavi stepped up to bury the resulting penalty.

It seemed like the end of PSG's European ambitions for another season, but with the last kick of the game, Matuidi managed to squeeze a shot past Valdes to blow the roof of the stadium and give the French side reason to believe.

 Bayern Munich 2-0 Juventus

Alaba & Muller net as German giants produce dominant display
Jupp Heynckes' men have one foot in the final four after dominating their quarter-final first-leg clash with the Italian champions from start to finish

 

 Bayern Munich took a significant step towards the semi-finals of the Champions League with a commanding 2-0 first-leg success over a strangely subdued Juventus side at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening.

After opening the scoring inside a minute courtesy of a deflected drive from David Alaba, the runaway Bundesliga leaders dominated what many felt would be the most closely contested of the four quarter-finals and were full value for a victory which was deservedly capped by a second-half strike from Thomas Muller.

Bayern had gone into the game on the back of a devastating 9-2 domestic defeat of Hamburg but even they could not have imagined that they would open the scoring against the tightest defence in the Champions League with such ease.

Less than 25 seconds had elapsed when an uncharacteristically sloppy pass from Andrea Pirlo allowed Bastian Schweinsteiger to put Alaba into space some 35 yards out. Even then, there appeared to be little threat to the Juventus goal, but the Austria international’s subsequent strike took a slight deflection off Vidal that deceived Gianluigi Buffon, who, having inexplicably committed himself to a dive to his right, was unable to scramble back across his line to keep out a bouncing ball that was not travelling at any great pace.

Credit to the visitors, they responded well to the concession of such an early goal, and Pirlo fired a free kick just over the Bayern bar seconds before midfield partner Vidal flashed a well-struck shot inches wide as the Bianconeri enjoyed a brief spell of dominance.

The loss of Toni Kroos to injury after 16 minutes appeared further cause for concern for Bayern but the introduction of Arjen Robben coincided with a sustained spell of pressure for the hosts, with the Dutchman very nearly doubling his side’s advantage with a snapshot volley that Buffon did well to block with his feet.

Franck Ribery then saw a low strike unluckily deflected wide by Bonucci, after the industrious Mario Mandzukic had brilliantly dispossessed a sleeping Andrea Barzagli, before Robben squandered another excellent opening on 32 minutes, dragging Muller's terrific cut-back wide of the right post with the entire goal at his mercy.

Juve served a timely reminder of their set-piece threat just before the break when Giorgio Chiellini headed a Pirlo corner just over, but it was clear that the Bianconeri, who had not managed a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, would need a drastically improved second-half showing if they were to save an unbeaten away record in European competition that stretched back to 2010.

As it was, Bayern continued to carry the far greater attacking threat and Mandzukic tested Buffon with a low strike after being released into space by Schweinsteiger. The crucial second goal that Bayern undeniably deserved arrived just after the hour mark.

Again, there was some fortune involved. Mandzukic was offside when Luiz Gustavo hit a shot that Buffon was unable to hold, but the hosts deserved their good luck and Mandzukic had to be applauded for the way in which he coolly collected the rebound before leaving Muller with a tap-in.

The beleaguered Bianconeri managed to muster a shot on goal in the final quarter, with Manuel Neuer easily parrying a Vidal shot away to safety, but Muller very nearly added a third Bayern goal at the end of what was already a bitterly disappointing night for the Italians. They must now attempt to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg without Vidal and Stephan Lichsteiner, both of whom where booked in Bavaria. 

Source: goal.com

El Clasico report

Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

Cesc & share Varane strikes in absorbing contest

Los Blancos' French center-back produced an exemplary performance, Which included a fine late goal, to help cancel out the Blaugrana's opener early in the second half

The shares were spoiled in a pulsating Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, as a thumping late header from Raphael Varane earned Real Madrid a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona.

The Catalan side looked to have put one foot in the final as they led late on after Cesc Fabregas had put them 1-0 up with a well-taken goal shortly after the break, only for Madrid's young defender Varane to secure the home team a draw in the 81st minute. 

Madrid were without five first-team players for their fourth Clasico of the season, as Iker Casillas and Pepe missed out because of injury, while the likes of Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria were all absent through suspension. Barcelona, meanwhile, named a full-strength starting line-up, with Jose Pinto retaining his place in goal, as he has done for the Copa del Rey.

For all their missing men it was los Blancos that made the brighter start of the two sides. Within a minute of kick-off Ronaldo was charging at the heart of the Barcelona defence, and his driving run towards goal was only stopped by a cynical challenge from Gerard Pique. The Portuguese attacker took the set piece himself and proceeded to force Pinto into making a fine diving stop.

In the 12th minute a moment of mastery from Andres Iniesta created a chance for the overlapping Jordi Alba, but the Barcelona left-back could only volley wide of Diego Lopez's goal after bursting through the Madrid defence and connecting with Iniesta's effortless chipped pass. 

Moments after being booked for a mistimed challenge on Cesc Fabregas, Ricardo Carvalho bundled into Iniesta 25 yards from goal, and from the resulting free kick Xavi came within inches of giving Barcelona the lead, as his devilish curling effort rattled the crossbar with Lopez beaten. 

Carvalho then nearly supplied an assist for Barcelona when his tame back-pass allowed Messi to steal the ball and tee up Xavi inside the Madrid box. The Barcelona midfielder arrowed a shot towards the bottom left corner but Madrid's young centre-back Varane was there on the line to brilliantly hack Xavi's goal-bound strike away from danger. 

On the half hour mark, Karim Benzema nearly scored for the home side when he found space in behind the Barcelona back-line to meet Jose Callejon's superb pass and send a volley crashing into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Somehow, a frantic opening first half ended 0-0 despite an avalanche of chances being created by two teams putting clear emphasis on attack rather than defence. 

Madrid mimicked their strong start to the first half after the break and fashioned a chance after just 40 seconds of the second period - Benzema hammering a shot over 18 yards from goal. 

Despite their pressure Madrid found themselves a goal behind in the 50th minute when Fabregas clinically side-footed the ball past Lopez after being played in by Messi. Just a single touch was needed by Messi to both dispossess Xabi Alonso and play a weighted through ball into the path of Fabregas, with the former Arsenal captain producing a cool finish to give the Catalan side a 1-0 lead. 

Then, if not for a sumptuously timed challenge from Varane, Fabregas could well have given Barcelona a two-goal lead. The Frenchman's tackle on his opponent brought Jose Mourinho to his feet, and prompted the coach to make an immediate change with his team on the back foot - introducing Luka Modric for Callejon.

Ronaldo then missed a glorious opportunity to head Madrid level from close range, but he could not test Pinto after connecting with Essien's teasing cross from the right. 

Pique, perhaps not to be outshone by Varane up the other end, then produced an equally brilliant tackle on Ronaldo as the Portugal international shaped to send a shot goalwards inside the Barcelona penalty area. 

With Barcelona seemingly set to hold out for the win, up popped Varane in the 81st minute to rise highest and send an emphatic header past Pinto from Mesut Ozil's free kick to make it 1-1 and set up an enticing second leg at Camp Nou on February 26.

Source: goal.com

La Liga Report - August 26

Getafe 2-1 Real Madrid

Barrada strikes to stun champions

Goals from the Moroccan and Juan Valera cancel out Gonzalo Higuain's first-half strike to heap misery on Los Blancos, who are now three matches without a win

Real Madrid have handed a five-point lead to Barcelona at the top of the Spanish Primera Division after slumping to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday evening.

Los Blancos took the lead midway through the first half thanks to Gonzalo Higuain, but a two-goal salvo in the second period and a plucky performance from the hosts left Jose Mourinho's men without a win in their first three competitive games of the season.

Madrid came within inches of opening the scoring early in the contest. Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo exchanged a neat one-two inside the Getafe box, but when the ball came back to the German six yards out, and with the goal gaping, he smashed against the crossbar.

Ronaldo, who was subdued in the draw with Valencia last weekend, had the opportunity to take centre stage five minutes later with a pair of free kick attempts on Miguel Angel Moya's goal. The Getafe shot-stopper had to be at his best for the second, as it bounced wickedly a few yards from goal, but the 28-year-old kept concentration to palm to safety.

Jose Mourinho's men eventually took a deserved lead through a well-worked goal just before the half-hour mark. Angel di Maria dropped into a pocket of space just in front of the Getafe defence and slid a pass through to Higuain, who showed intelligence to ride the challenge of Alexis and take the ball past Moya before sliding home from a tight angle.

The battle between Moya and Ronaldo continued, and once again the Getafe goalkeeper came out on top just before the break. The Portuguese cut in from the left-hand side and lashed an effort at goal, only to be denied by a solid save from the confident goalkeeper.

The hosts, outplayed for much of the opening period, came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, and with an added impetus in their play, levelled the game in the 53nd minute. Abdel Barrada was the provider as he whipped in a cross from the right flank for Juan Valera, who powered a header past the rooted Iker Casillas.

Ronaldo tested Moya yet again in the 70th minute when he drifted into a central area and flicked up the ball on the edge of the box, but his snatched volley bobbled into the hands of the Getafe goalkeeper, with the Real Madrid man cutting a frustrated figure.

Mourinho looked to be going for broke, with the introduction of Karim Benzema in place of Diarra, but the added space in dangerous areas for Getafe led to the hosts taking the lead 15 minutes from time.

Substitute Adrian Colunga left Albiol for dead down the left and drove forward before sliding a pass inside to Barrada, who took a touch before slamming the ball past Casillas, sending the modest crowd into raptures.

The final insult on a horrible evening for the capital giants came when Fabio Coentrao received a red card while sitting in the dugout, following an exchange of words with the officials.

The result leaves Real Madrid with just one point taken from the opening two matches, and already the champions are playing catch-up on their arch rivals Barca.

Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona

Messi double earns comeback victory

The Blaugrana were nowhere near their best, but emerged from Pamplona with all three points thanks to a second-half double from their Argentine talisman

Barcelona escaped from the Estadio El Sadar with a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in their La Liga encounter on Sunday.

The Blaugrana were second best for much of the game and fell behind in the 17th minute to a goal from Joseba Llorente.

Their woes continued in the second half as Osasuna kept them on the back foot, while coach Tito Vilanova was sent to the stands in the 73rd minute for protesting to the linesman. 

However, a controversial equaliser from Lionel Messi brought them back into the match moments later and Osasuna captain Patxi Punal was sent off for protesting the goal. 

The Argentine would pop up once again four minutes later to poke home the winner and give the Catalans a win that they scarcely deserved, after a spirited and purposeful performance from the home side. 

Vilanova rested Xavi from the start, with David Villa also taking his place on the bench as Cristian Tello and Alexis Sanchez started up front alongside Lionel Messi.

With sunlight beating down over Estadio El Sadar, Barcelona were slow getting out of the blocks, and had Victor Valdes to thank for denying Alvaro Cejudo from close range inside the opening two minutes.

Andres Iniesta would create danger at the other end, teeing up Tello, who saw his effort touched by Andres Fernandez onto the post.

However, just when it looked like the Blaugrana were beginning to get into their stride, Osasuna would bring them back down to earth with the opener after 17 minutes.

Roland Lamah was the architect, whipping in a dangerous cross from the left that was side-footed in by Llorente, who ghosted in behind Jordi Alba at the far post.

Tello saw a close-range shot saved by Fernandez and Iniesta should have found the target after latching on to Sanchez’s cutback from 12 yards out, but the chances did not mask Barca’s struggles in attack, as they failed to connect with many of their passes.

Their difficulties at the back were even more pronounced, as Osasuna looked dangerous every time they attacked. The home side came very close to a second, as the lively Lamah saw his drive parried by Valdes, and Llorente blocked twice by Gerard Pique from the rebound.

However, Barca had a chance to draw level just before the break. A quickly worked free kick from Cesc Fabregas found Messi in range, but his initial attempt was saved by Fernandez, who also recovered in time to smother Iniesta’s follow-up.

The visitors’ problems continued as the second half unfolded and another defensive lapse almost cost them dear just before the hour mark. Carles Puyol’s sloppy pass was pounced on by Sisi, whose low angler towards the corner was tipped wide by Valdes.

Lamah continued to be a thorn in Barcelona’s side and the Belgian made his presence felt again in the 66th minute, as he drove in from the left and drilled a dangerous shot across the face of goal.

Moments later, Sergio Busquets would almost gift Osasuna a second goal, after he was stripped of possession by Nino just outside the box, who bent his finish onto the post from point blank range.

In the 73rd minute, Vilanova was sent to the stands for arguing with the linesman on the sidelines. However, just when Osasuna were at their most dangerous, a moment of controversy undid all their hard work and brought Barcelona back into the game.

Punal was obstructed by referee Fernandez in the middle, but play was allowed to continue, allowing Barca to deliver into the Osasuna area. The hosts were not able to clear and Sanchez was able to poke to Messi, who stroked home from six yards out.

Osasuna protested an offside call on Sanchez to no avail and Punal was given his marching orders in the confusion. Within four minutes of the restart, matters became even worse for the home side as Barcelona struck again.

A sweeping move from the visitors saw Alba drive a low cross towards Messi inside the area and the Argentine did not hesitate, side-footing past Fernandez to put his side into the lead.

Osasuna could not muster a response and Barca held on to claim three priceless points that they barely warranted.

Source: goal.com

Champion League

Barcelona 3-1 AC Milan 

Messi breaks tournament scoring record and Iniesta fires clincher as holders book last-four berth

The Argentine claimed the record for most goals in a single Champions League season, but the visitors will feel that refereeing decisions went against them at Camp Nou

Barcelona have advanced to the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-1 win over AC Milan at Camp Nou in their quarter-final second-leg encounter.

Lionel Messi stole the headlines once again, with two penalties in the first half either side of an Antonio Nocerino strike, bringing him up to 14 Champions League goals for the season, a record for a single campaign. 

Andres Iniesta sealed the victory early in the second half, as the home side progressed to the last four for a record fifth straight year at the expense of the Italian champions, who will be left feeling aggrieved after some refereeing decisions did not go their way.

With a 0-0 result from the first leg under their belts, Milan knew that a score draw would be enough to take them through. Barca coach Pep Guardiola had already suggested that a Rossoneri goal was inevitable, and clearly set up to counter such an eventuality, with his side, and Messi in particular, dictating the opening exchanges.

A blistering counterattack after only four minutes saw the Barca forward glide into the penalty area in the blink of an eye, but his finish was put straight into the grateful arms of Christian Abbiati.

Moments later and Messi was at it again, this time poking the wrong side of the post after being put clean through by a beautiful piece of combination play from Cesc Fabregas and Dani Alves.

The Argentine sprinted clear of the Milan back line once more in the 11th minute, but initially appeared to waste the chance with a square pass to Xavi. However, the ball was soon back at his feet, and Luca Antonini, so assured in the first leg, slid in far too rashly, conceding a penalty.

Messi himself stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake, beating Abbiati with a low shot into the left corner to score a record 13th Champions League goal of the season and 50th of his career.

The Rossoneri were nowhere to be found, and with Guardiola’s men dominating possession and looking eminently at ease, the tie seemed to be heading to an inevitable conclusion.

However, out of nowhere, Milan were level just after half an hour. Robinho found Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the top of the box, who in turn slid in the unmarked Nocerino on the left for a low finish past Victor Valdes to put the visitors ahead on aggregate.

Milan were heading through as things stood thanks to their away goal, but could only hold onto their advantage for nine minutes. From a corner, a tug on the shirt of Sergio Busquets by Alessandro Nesta was spotted, and referee Bjorn Kuipers awarded Barca another penalty, much to the chagrin of the Rossoneri players, who protested vehemently to the match official.

Messi steadied himself once more from the spot, this time sending the ball into the right corner to put the home side back in front with a 2-1 aggregate lead at the end of the first half.

Despite a promising start to the second period from Milan, the Catalans were able to increase their advantage within eight minutes of the restart. Iniesta was perhaps fortunate to see a block by Philippe Mexes loop into his path, but did not hesitate, and stroked home from six yards out.

The Rossoneri were floored by the goal, with Barca playing comfortably on the back of a two-goal cushion. They nearly added another just past the hour mark, as Messi played in substitute Thiago Alcantara for a shot that was dragged just wide.

At this point, the sting was well and truly taken out of the game, with the fans inside Camp Nou already looking forward to a place in the last four. Further half-chances for Adriano and Messi were foiled, but it mattered little as the home side ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Barca now advance to their fifth consecutive Champions League semi-final, a tournament record, and will face the winner of the Chelsea-Benfica tie, with the first leg set for April 18.

Bayern Munich 2-0 Olympique de Marseille 

Olic proves able deputy to absent Gomez as his double ensures semi-final spot for Bavarians

The veteran Croatia international struck twice as the German giants sealed a second-leg victory, booking their place in the last four of Europe's elite club competition

Bayern Munich advanced to the Champions League semi-finals following a 4-0 aggregate victory over Marseille. 

The German giants were in pole position to progress heading into the clash, having won the first leg 2-0 in France. And another 2-0 triumph in the return fixture saw them book their place in the last-four of Europe's elite club competition.

Ivica Olic, who two years ago scored a memorable hat-trick against Lyon, scored twice for Bayern before half-time, and his goals were all the hosts needed to advance.

The visitors made a bright start, and Loic Remy tested Manuel Neuer in the opening minutes after making a clever turn. Shortly thereafter, Benoit Cheyrou made an impressive run from deep and found Jeremy Morel, but the left-back's finish was kicked clear by the goalkeeper.

OM would rue their missed chances, as in the 13th minute, Olic opened the scoring. Franck Ribery made a mazy run into the right side of the box before crossing low, and the Croatian striker stabbed home from close range.

The visitors reacted well and continued their positive play, with Stephane Mbia's long-range blast forcing Neuer to tip over the bar. But Bayern gained full control of the match before the half-hour mark, as Toni Kroos and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk both forced fine saves from Steve Mandanda.

Thomas Muller, who before half-time was withdrawn due to an apparent hamstring injury, forced Mandanda into action on 30 minutes, with a glancing header, and Kroos shortly thereafter rattled the left post with another strong effort from outside the box.

Bayern kept up the pressure, and on 37 minutes, Olic completed his double on the counterattack. Ribery and David Alaba exchanged passes from deep in their own half before the Austrian crossed to Olic, who again finished from close range.

After the half-time break, the hosts stepped off the throttle as Marseille enjoyed more of the possession than before, but lacked incisiveness in the final third.

Ribery continued to be dangerous and forced a couple fine challenges to deny a look at goal before Kroos flashed another attempt narrowly wide. 

As the final quarter of the match approached, Marseille had their best chance of the game, but Brandao's open header from inside the six-yard box missed over the bar.

The Brazilian striker's attempt would be an anomaly, however, as the final 20 minutes had a training ground feel about them. This suited Kroos, who was substituted without having been booked, as well as Jerome Boateng and Luiz Gustavo, who also avoided bookings that would have seen them slapped with a ban.

The result sees Bayern advance to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of Real Madrid's tie with APOEL. Marseille will have to focus on Ligue 1 play from now to season's end.

Source: goal.com

La Liga matches 3 december

Sporting 0-3 Real Madrid

Di Maria, Ronaldo and Marcelo on target as Jose Mourinho's men collect the points at El Molinon

A 10th league win in a row for Los Blancos ensured they remain clear of rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga ahead of next weekend's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu

Goals from Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo were enough for Real Madrid to secure a 3-0 victory over Sporting Gijon in an ill-tempered La Liga game at El Molinon on Saturday evening.

The away side dominated the early stages of the game, with Lassana Diarra and Sami Khedira bossing proceedings from the centre of Madrid's midfield, much to the vocal home support's disdain.

Despite their early pressure, neither side created any chances of note in the opening quarter of an hour, although Ronaldo did begin to stamp his influence on the game, giving the Sporting wing-back Roberto Canella a fairly torrid time in the opening exchanges.

In fact it was Ronaldo who fashioned the first real chance of the game, finding space on the edge of the box but then shooting high and wide with his left foot. 

Di Maria was then unfortunate to see his thunderous effort parried away by Juan Pablo after Marcelo had done well to pick out the Argentine on the edge of the Sporting box. 

Marcelo was finding all sorts of joy getting forward from left-back as the half wore on with Sporting resorting to illegal means to stop the Brazilian at times. 

The Uruguayan Sebastien Eguren was the first to find his way into the referee's book, after scything down the left-back on 25 minutes, with Oscar Trejo and David Barral following him into Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez‎'s book shortly afterwards.

Despite Gonzalo Higuain having a goal chalked off for offside Madrid did not have long to wait for their opener, just minutes later Di Maria robbed Damien Suarez of possession down the left before cutting inside and firing a cute finish past Juan Pablo from a tight angle. 

Sporting perhaps should have equalised on the hour mark when Botia headed wastefully wide after Miguel de las Cuevas whipped an inviting free-kick to the back-post. 

De las Cuevas then did well again to jink his way into the Madrid box, with the ball falling to David Barral just wide of the goal, but his tame effort was easily saved by Iker Casillas.

Ronaldo made it 2-0 to the visitors with 65 minutes gone, after he and Di Maria exchanged passes on the edge of the box. The Argentine winger then slid a perfectly weighted ball through to his Portuguese team-mate, who drifted past Juan Pablo before firing enthusiastically into an empty net. 

A terrific save from Juan Pablo then denied Higuain from making it 3-0, after the forward had been played in by the in-form Ronaldo.

Sporting's Eguren was given his marching orders 10 minutes from the end, after receiving his second booking of the game.

Madrid did eventually add a third in injury time through Marcelo, after the Brazilian burst through on goal and fired a confident finish past Juan Pablo.

This victory cements Madrid's position in first place of La Liga ahead of the Clasico next week regardless of Barcelona's result later on this evening, while Sporting remain in the relegation zone with just 12 points from 14 games.

Barcelona 5-0 Levante

Fabregas, Cuenca, Messi & Sanchez all on target as Pep Guardiola's men keep pressure on Real Madrid ahead of Clasico

Cesc Fabregas' first-half brace opened the floodgates for Pep Guardiola's men, who ran out comprehensive winners to move within three points of their bitter rivals

Barcelona were convincing victors as they thumped Levante 5-0 at Camp Nou in La Liga to keep the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the table ahead of next weekend's Clasico.

Cesc Fabregas grabbed a brace before Isaac Cuenca gave the home team a 3-0 lead at the break. Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez completed the rout in the second half. 

The result leaves Pep Guardiola's men three points behind Madrid, who have a game in hand over their fierce Catalan rivals, while Levante remain in fourth spot.

Barcelona started the game brightly and were a goal to the good after only four minutes. Messi found Andres Iniesta, who saw his quick-thinking back-heel trickle to the feet of Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the Levante penalty area. The former Arsenal man controlled the ball before carefully placing it into the bottom corner of the net.

In the 20th minute the Catalan club could have doubled their lead but Gustavo Munua was on cue to deny the home side as he parried Messi's free-kick from 20 metres. From the rebound, Carles Puyol could not make clean contact from close range, with Munua eventually claiming the ball cleanly.

The lead was doubled in the 33rd minute and it was Cesc again who got the better of Munua. Xavi whipped an inviting free-kick into the box and Fabregas leaped highest to power his header into the top corner, leaving the keeper helpless as Barcelona grabbed a rare goal from a set-piece.

Guardiola's men were three up in the 37th minute with a wonderful team goal that was coolly finished by youngster Isaac Cuenca, who registered his second Barcelona goal. Messi's clever run saw the Argentine slide the ball to Iniesta, who then quickly moved it to Cuenca just inside the box for the winger to strike into the bottom - an instinctive finish from the Masia youth product to give his team a comfortable lead at the interval.

Barcelona were 4-0 up in the 55th minute when Messi grabbed his 17th Liga goal of the season to draw level with Cristiano Ronaldo. Substitute Dani Alves slid a precise through ball to the 24-year-old, who made no mistake in slamming his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

In the 61st minute, the home side made it five with a devastating counter-attack. Messi found Alexis Sanchez just inside the box in a yard of space. The Chilean attacker controlled the ball before lifting it over Munua via a slight deflection off Asier Del Horno for his third goal in a week.

Iniesta had a sixth goal controversially chalked off for offside in the 88th minute as the Blaugrana comfortably kept another clean sheet this season.

Barcelona are next in action on Tuesday evening when they face BATE Borisov in the Champions League at Camp Nou before travelling to the Santiago Bernabeu on December 10 to face Madrid.

Source: goal.com

Lionel Messi has ball kicked at his head while on the floor

Many have tried (and failed) to stop Lionel Messi over the years, but Colombia’s Abel Aguilar took a novel approach to the task, by firing the ball from close range at the forward’s head…while he was on the floor.

The Hercules midfielder took the dastardly pop at the Barcelona ace immediately after he was felled outside the box by Gustavo Bolivar, during Argentina’s 2-1 win over Colombia in their World Cup qualifier. 

The incident provoked a furious reaction from Messi’s team-mates, but it was the brilliant 24-year-old who had the last laugh – firstly scoring Argentina’s leveller, then turning provider for Sergio Aguero to nick it six minutes from time. 

I think we can safely assume the lesson here – like in the Incredible Hulk – is ‘ don’t make him angry!’ 

The result keeps Argentina joint top of their nine-team South American qualifying group, level on seven points with Venezuela and Copa America winners Uruguay, who have a game in hand.

i

Source: Bleacher Report

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo pursuit over Mertens

08/11/2011 

Where Dries Mertens six weeks back is still the most valuableplayer of European leagues was, there is the Belgian wing of PSV been overtaken by Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The top scorer in La Liga with fourteen league matches and five assistsleader in the combined ranking based on figures fromInternational Football.

With its direct involvement in nineteen league goals does MessiMertens (11 goals, 7 assists) and Real Madrid's top scorerCristiano Ronaldo (13 goals, 5 assists), but narrowly behind.Behind the toptrio is however a gap to the number four MarioGomez, who represented Bayern Munich already had a part in fifteen Bundesliga goals.

The first Dutchman is seen on a tie for fifth spot. With eleven hitsand three assists, Robin van Persie the MVP of the PremierLeague. Van Persie also owes its high ranking in his last gamelast Saturday, when he was the opening goal itself accounted forand in the 2-0 and 3-0 was the principal. Claudio Pizarro cameon behalf of Werder Bremen to the exact same numbers.

Of the fifteen most valuable football players is only Marc Jankobut Mertens (FC) from the Premier League. The Austrian sharespace with seven Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Lukas Podolski(1. FC Köln) and Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund). The attackers were all involved in thirteen goals.

Noteworthy is that Angel Di Maria Real Madrid for ten silvercrosses delivered, compared to just one goal. The Argentinelightweight shares with it the eleventh teammate Gonzalo Higuainand the Premier League strikers Wayne Rooney (ManchesterUnited) and Sergio Aguero to Manchester City. 

Most valuable players in the league this season

source: Voetbal International