RIYADH, Jan. 16: Young Barcelona midfielder Gavi starred as FC Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-1 to win the final of the Spanish Supercup in Riyadh on Sunday night.
The 18-year-old gave two assists and scored one of Barca's three goals in a complete display in the King Fahd Sta
KATHMANDU, Jan. 13: After defeating Real Betis by 4-2 in the penalty shootout, Barcelona has entered the finals of the Spanish Super Cup. Now, Barcelona will compete with Real Madrid on January 16 for the title.
After the match was tied 2-2 after the extra time at Kings Fahad Internationa
No spectators will be allowed in the stadium next week when Bayern Munich hosts Barcelona in the Champions League because of stricter coronavirus measures, the governor of the German state of Bavaria said Friday.
No spectators will be allowed in the stadium next week when Bayern Munich hosts Barcelona in the Champions League because of stricter coronavirus measures, the governor of the German state of Bavaria said Friday.
MADRID, Oct. 25: Goals from David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez gave Real Madrid a 2-1 win in El Clasico away to FC Barcelona on Sunday afternoon.
Madrid won the game by being organized at the back and taking their chances on the break. Sergio Aguero scored in the 97th minute for a Barcelona side that otherwise failed to test Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois.
Both sides lined up more or less as expected with Jordi Alba passed fit to accompany Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Oscar Mingueza in defense, while Memphis Depay partnered Ansu Fati in attack for Barca.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded experienced trio Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro in midfield, with the pace of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo partnering Karim Benzema in attack.
The game began with both teams looking to press high up the field, with the result that there was a lot of tension, but that both keepers were virtual spectators.
Vinicius was looking dangerous for Real Madrid, causing Mingueza problems with his pace and dribbling ability, and the Brazilian had a penalty appeal turned down after turning the defender and then going down after slight contact.
He then had a shot blocked after turning Marc-Andre Ter Stegen inside out, although a late offside flag spared his blushes.
At the other end, Sergino Dest should have scored when Fati's dummy left him with just Courtois to beat, but the American blazed over the bar as the game opened up.
Real Madrid made Barca pay for Dest's miss in the 32nd minute when Alaba thumped home from the edge of the area to finish a counter-attack that he had started deep in his own half. After taking a pass from Vinicius, the defender hit his shot across Ter Stegen into the far corner of the net.
The Austrian then blocked Fati's effort in the last minute of the half as Barca looked to react.
Koeman ended Mingueza's misery at half-time, replacing him with Philippe Coutinho and dropping Dest back into defense, and Coutinho was quickly into action with a shot blocked by the Madrid defense, before Courtois saved from Fati.
Barca were pressing without really calling Courtois into action, while at the other end Dest almost gifted Vinicius a second for Madrid with a weak backpass, but recovered in time to frustrate the winger, before Benzema shot tamely at Ter Stegen after great work from Modric.
Madrid's attacks always looked slightly sharper than Barca's, and with 15 minutes left to play, Aguero replaced the tiring Fati, while Sergi Roberto replaced the disappointing Frenkie de Jong.
Aguero saw a header loop over the bar as Barca tried to make something happen, with Madrid packing their box and slowing the game down when they had the ball.
Courtois went down holding his knee in the last minute of normal time, but was able to continue just before Madrid scored their second of the game.
Coutinho failed to take a chance in the Madrid area, and after a scramble in their area, the visitors broke with the ball falling to Marco Asensio, and although Ter Stegen saved his shot, Vazquez was on hand to put the ball into the empty net.
Aguero pulled a goal back after good work from Dest, but it was too late for Barca.
MADRID, Oct. 4: Both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona go into the international break with problems after they both suffered defeats in La Liga over the weekend.
Recently promoted Espanyol - for whom Chinese striker Wu Lei played the last 25 minutes - stunned Real Madrid 2-1 on Sunday afternoon, highlighting Los Blancos' defensive problems.
Raul de Tomas' near-post finish and Aleix Vidal's excellent individual goal put Espanyol 2-0 up. Karim Benzema gave Madrid hope with his ninth goal of the season in the 71st minute but there were to be no further goals.
The defeat follows a goalless draw against Villarreal and a shock Champions League loss to Sheriff Tiraspol, and means Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti faces a difficult couple of weeks.
Ronald Koeman is clinging on to his job at FC Barcelona after his side suffered a painful defeat away to Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.
Former Barca striker Luis Suarez was Koeman's tormenter-in-chief, setting up Thomas Lemar for Atletico's opener midway through the first half and then doubling their lead just before half-time as Barca made significant errors in defense.
Barca never really looked like getting back on level terms, despite Ansu Fati being brought into the action midway through the second half, although surprise declarations from Barca president Joan Laporta look to have assured Koeman's short-term future when many expected him to be sacked.
Villarreal's season continues to build thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Real Betis thanks to two goals from Dutch winger Arnaut Danjuma, who put his side ahead on the stroke of half-time and confirmed the win with his second of the game with 20 minutes left to play.
Real Sociedad are third in the table, level on points with Atletico and Real Madrid, but missed the chance to go top after drawing 1-1 at home to Getafe, who took their first point of the season thanks to Sandro Ramirez's first-half goal, which was canceled out by Mikel Oyarzabal's 68th minute goal.
Sevilla missed the chance to move level with Real Madrid, Atletico and Real Sociedad when they lost 1-0 away to struggling Granada. Ruben Rochina's powerful 24th minute shot and a series of saves from Granada keeper Luis Maximiano helped Robert Moreno's side to their first win of the season and probably saved the coach's job, at least for the short term.
Sevilla ended up with 10 men after Diego Carlos was sent off for using his elbow on Granada striker Luis Suarez.
Manu Sanchez's diving header in injury-time gave Osasuna a 1-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano to end the visitors' five-game unbeaten run.
Angel's 74th minute goal got Real Mallorca back to winning ways at the expense of Levante, who have still to win this campaign.
Cadiz coach Alvaro Cervera left out seven first-team players who had gone partying after last weekend's defeat to Rayo Vallecano, and his much-changed side held on for a 0-0 draw at home to Valencia.
Valencia dominated the game with 68 percent possession and 16 shots against just two from Cadiz, but were unable to stop their run of games without a win extending to four.
Bernadetto's goal early in the second half got Elche back on track with a 1-0 win at home to Celta Vigo, who saw how Iago Aspas's goal in the last minute ruled out for handball.
Friday night saw Raul Garcia's 44th minute header gave Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 win at home to Alaves on a night that saw Athletic striker Inaki Williams make a record 203rd consecutive La Liga appearance.
Garcia had earlier seen a penalty saved, but was in the right place to nod home Inigo Lekue's header on the stroke of half-time.
MADRID, Oct. 4: Both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona go into the international break with problems after they both suffered defeats in La Liga over the weekend.
Recently promoted Espanyol - for whom Chinese striker Wu Lei played the last 25 minutes - stunned Real Madrid 2-1 on Sunday afternoon, highlighting Los Blancos' defensive problems.
Raul de Tomas' near-post finish and Aleix Vidal's excellent individual goal put Espanyol 2-0 up. Karim Benzema gave Madrid hope with his ninth goal of the season in the 71st minute but there were to be no further goals.
The defeat follows a goalless draw against Villarreal and a shock Champions League loss to Sheriff Tiraspol, and means Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti faces a difficult couple of weeks.
Ronald Koeman is clinging on to his job at FC Barcelona after his side suffered a painful defeat away to Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.
Former Barca striker Luis Suarez was Koeman's tormenter-in-chief, setting up Thomas Lemar for Atletico's opener midway through the first half and then doubling their lead just before half-time as Barca made significant errors in defense.
Barca never really looked like getting back on level terms, despite Ansu Fati being brought into the action midway through the second half, although surprise declarations from Barca president Joan Laporta look to have assured Koeman's short-term future when many expected him to be sacked.
Villarreal's season continues to build thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Real Betis thanks to two goals from Dutch winger Arnaut Danjuma, who put his side ahead on the stroke of half-time and confirmed the win with his second of the game with 20 minutes left to play.
Real Sociedad are third in the table, level on points with Atletico and Real Madrid, but missed the chance to go top after drawing 1-1 at home to Getafe, who took their first point of the season thanks to Sandro Ramirez's first-half goal, which was canceled out by Mikel Oyarzabal's 68th minute goal.
Sevilla missed the chance to move level with Real Madrid, Atletico and Real Sociedad when they lost 1-0 away to struggling Granada. Ruben Rochina's powerful 24th minute shot and a series of saves from Granada keeper Luis Maximiano helped Robert Moreno's side to their first win of the season and probably saved the coach's job, at least for the short term.
Sevilla ended up with 10 men after Diego Carlos was sent off for using his elbow on Granada striker Luis Suarez.
Manu Sanchez's diving header in injury-time gave Osasuna a 1-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano to end the visitors' five-game unbeaten run.
Angel's 74th minute goal got Real Mallorca back to winning ways at the expense of Levante, who have still to win this campaign.
Cadiz coach Alvaro Cervera left out seven first-team players who had gone partying after last weekend's defeat to Rayo Vallecano, and his much-changed side held on for a 0-0 draw at home to Valencia.
Valencia dominated the game with 68 percent possession and 16 shots against just two from Cadiz, but were unable to stop their run of games without a win extending to four.
Bernadetto's goal early in the second half got Elche back on track with a 1-0 win at home to Celta Vigo, who saw how Iago Aspas's goal in the last minute ruled out for handball.
Friday night saw Raul Garcia's 44th minute header gave Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 win at home to Alaves on a night that saw Athletic striker Inaki Williams make a record 203rd consecutive La Liga appearance.
Garcia had earlier seen a penalty saved, but was in the right place to nod home Inigo Lekue's header on the stroke of half-time.
BARCELONA, Aug 5: FC Barcelona announced on Thursday that star striker Leo Messi will not continue at the club.
Barcelona confirmed the news with an announcement on their official website which brings to an end the 21-year relationship between the club and the Argentinean player.
The brief statement explains that "despite having reached an agreement between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, we have not been able to formalize the agreement due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga rules)," begins the statement.
"In the face of this situation Leo Messi will not continue his relationship with FC Barcelona. The two parties deeply lament that in the end they have not been able to fulfil the desires of the player and the club."
"Barca wishes with all of its heart to thank the contribution of the player in helping to make the institution greater and wishes him the best in his personal and professional life."
The news comes as a bombshell in the Spanish game after Messi returned to Barcelona from Ibiza (where he had spent time on holiday with his family) on Wednesday evening and it was fully expected that Thursday would see the confirmation of him signing a new 5-year-contract keeping him at the Camp Nou until 2026, when he will be 39-years old.
Instead, the news is that he is leaving.
The news is a huge blow for Barca president, Joan Laporta, who returned to the club in March saying he would work to keep the striker at the Camp Nou. Laporta maintained his optimism through the weeks of negotiations over Messi's new contract, even saying on Monday that "Every night I have sweet dreams when I think of Messi," and adding that the "negotiation is progressing well and along the lines we are thinking of - we are working on it: Messi wants to continue and we must ensure that he continues."
One of the main problems had been fitting Messi's contract into LaLiga's tough financial fair play regulations, but that issue looked to have been resolved on Wednesday when LaLiga announced an agreement with the investment fund, CVC Capital Partners, which will give Barca 270 million euros (40 million of which can be spent on signings and wages), enough to pay for Messi's new deal.
Making his first team debut as a 16-year-old in November 2003, Messi went on to make 778 first team appearances in which he scored a record 672 goals, including an all-time record of 474 goals in LaLiga. He has helped Barca win 10 LaLiga titles, 7 Copas del Rey, the Champions League on 4 occasions, as well as 7 Spanish and 3 European Supercups and 3 FIFA World Club Cups, while winning the Balon d'Or six times.
The news will now almost certainly start speculation that Messi will join either Manchester City or Paris Saint Germain.
LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021
(Xinhua)
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