Barcelona rally to top Madrid, move closer to league title

Barcelona's Franck Kessie, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during their Spanish La Liga match against Real Madrid at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 19, 2023. (AP)
Short Url
Updated 20 March 2023
Follow

Barcelona rally to top Madrid, move closer to league title

  • Franck Kessie scored in stoppage time to give Barcelona the home victory and a 12-point lead

MADRID: Barcelona took a major step toward winning their first Spanish league title since 2019 after coming from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Sunday.

Franck Kessie scored in stoppage time to give Barcelona the home victory and a 12-point lead over second-place Madrid with 12 matches to go.

Barcelona’s players huddled and celebrated on the field after the final whistle at Camp Nou.

The Catalan club was saved by the VAR for the second consecutive game, as Madrid had a potential go-ahead goal by Marco Asensio called back in the 81st minute because of offside. Last week, they edged Athletic Bilbao when an 87th-minute equalizer by Athletic forward Iñaki Williams was disallowed by video review.

Barcelona went into the match still facing criticism over their payments of several millions of dollars over several years to the former vice president of the country’s refereeing committee. Prosecutors have formally accused Barcelona of alleged corruption, fraudulent management and falsification of documentation. Madrid are among the clubs siding against Barcelona in the legal proceedings, as is the Spanish government, the league and the soccer federation. Barcelona have consistently denied any wrongdoing or conflict of interest, saying it paid for technical reports on referees but never tried to influence their decisions in games.

Madrid needed a win in the last league “clasico” of the season to give theselves a realistic chance of catching Barcelona and defending their title.

Barcelona won eight league titles in 11 seasons through 2019. They finished second to Madrid in 2020, then third — behind Madrid and champion Atletico Madrid — in 2021, and second to Madrid again last season. They are seeking their 27th league title, which would leave them eight behind Madrid.

Barcelona were in control for much of the match on Sunday, creating most of the significant chances.

But the visitors opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a fortunate own-goal by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who redirected the ball into the net with a header after a cross by Madrid forward Vinicius Junior from the left side of the area.

Sergi Roberto equalized after picking up a loose ball inside the area in the 45th, and Kessie netted the winner from the middle of the box after a late breakaway as Madrid made a final push for the victory.

Madrid had thought it went ahead when Asensio found the net from near the penalty spot after a pass by Dani Carvajal, but video review determined the goal couldn’t count because of offside in a tight call.

It was the second match between the rivals in less than three weeks. Barcelona won 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on March 3 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The return leg at Camp Nou is on April 5.

Madrid won the first league “clasico” 3-1 at the Bernabeu.

Barcelona was without playmaker Pedri and forward Ousmane Dembele because of injuries, while Madrid’s only absence was defender David Alaba, also because of an injury. Barcelona players wore the logo of international singer Rosalia instead of Spotify’s brand as part of its strategic agreement with the music streaming service. Rosalia was selected as she celebrates the one-year release of her hit album Motomami.

Elsewhere,Takefusa Kubo scored as Real Sociedad beat last-place Elche 2-0 to end their winless streak and regain sole possession of fourth place in the league.

Ander Barrenetxea also scored in the second half for Sociedad, who hadn’t won in six games in all competitions, including four straight in the league. They were coming off elimination against Roma in the Europa League on Thursday.

The win gave the Basque Country club a three-point gap over fifth-place Real Betis in the fight for the Champions League places.

Playmaker David Silva led Sociedad over Elche, who have won only two of its last 11 league games. It sits 14 points from safety.

Sociedad’s last league win had been at Espanyol in February.

Betis ended their four-game winless streak in all competitions with Borja Iglesias scoring a second-half goal in a 1-0 victory over midtable Mallorca at home. Betis had been eliminated by Manchester United in the Europa League.

Villarreal, another Spanish club that failed to advance in European competition after losing to Anderlecht, rebounded in the Spanish league with a 3-0 win at Osasuna.

Villarreal were coming off a three-game winless streak. They stayed in sixth place, four points behind Betis and seven from Sociedad.

Getafe left the relegation zone with a 2-0 home win over Sevilla, who stayed two points from the danger area. Sevilla have won only one of their last five league games, but were the only Spanish team to advance in the Europa League after eliminating Fenerbahce on Thursday.


Man United stun Lyon in nine-goal Europa League classic to reach semis

Updated 18 April 2025
Follow

Man United stun Lyon in nine-goal Europa League classic to reach semis

MANCHESTER: Manchester United came from 4-2 down in extra-time to beat Lyon 5-4 in a remarkable Europa League quarter-final to progress 7-6 on aggregate on Thursday.
United’s season looked over when Lyon came from 2-0 down to lead by two goals with just six minutes remaining at Old Trafford despite having captain Corentin Tolisso sent-off.
However, a Bruno Fernandes’ penalty, Kobbie Mainoo’s strike and Harry Maguire’s header capped a stunning finale to set up a semifinal meeting with Athletic Bilbao.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the English top flight and defeat would have almost certainly meant missing out on European football entirely next season.
Instead they are just three games away from a European trophy and the lifeline of direct access to the riches of the Champions League next season.
First-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot had put United in a commanding position.
But the defensive deficiencies and mental fragility of Ruben Amorim’s side were exposed in a collapse that threatened to cap a miserable campaign.
Two goals in seven minutes from Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico brought Lyon level.
Tolisso was then sent-off for two yellow cards in the 89th minute.
The 10 men still looked set to prevail in the extra 30 minutes thanks to a brilliant strike from Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty.
United’s history is build on dramatic late fightbacks but few have been more remarkable than this to leave Lyon shellshocked.
The home side got off to a flying start thanks to a fine team goal as Fernandes released Alejandro Garnacho down the right and his cross picked out Ugarte to slot in just his second goal since joining the English giants form Paris Saint-Germain.
Amorim’s decision to restore Andre Onana in goal was under scrutiny.
The Cameroonian had been dropped for Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing at Newcastle after two costly errors that led to both Lyon’s goals in last week’s 2-2 first leg draw.
Those mistakes came after a war of words with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, who labelled him “one of the worst goalkeepers in United’s history.”
The 29-year-old rewarded his manager’s faith with a couple of important stops to prevent Lyon levelling through Paul Akouokou and Cherki.
At the other end, a United side that have often looked labored and lacking in ideas all season, suddenly clicked into gear in the first 45 minutes.
United doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Maguire’s long ball was expertly controlled by Dalot, who then fired in off the inside of the post.
Garnacho should have killed the tie off within minutes of the restart for the second half when he shot straight at Lucas Perri with Fernandes begging for a pass for a tap in.
That was to prove a turning point as United crumbled in stunning fashion.
Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca was able to prowl the touchline unlike in Ligue 1 where he is serving a nine-month touchline ban.
The Portuguese introduced captain Lacazette off the bench in a bid to turn the tide.
And the former Arsenal striker played a central role in the fightback.
Lacazette flicked on Moussa Niakhate’s header and Tolisso swooped to head in and give the visitors a lifeline.
Tagliafico then prodded in at the back post despite Onana’s attempt to scoop it off the line.
Just as Lyon were in the ascendency Tolisso gave them a mountain to climb again with a soft second yellow for a trip on Casemiro.
Yet, it did not initially matter as Cherki confirmed his status as one of Europe’s rising stars with a powerful drive that left Onana motionless.
Lyon’s other prized asset Malick Fofana was then chopped down by Luke Shaw inside the area and Lacazette confidently dispatched the resulting spot-kick.
Another penalty at the other end, though, kickstarted the fightback as Fernandes fired home.
Substitute Mainoo showed why he had been thrust in an unfamiliar forward role with a composed finish to level on 120 minutes.
Barely 60 seconds later Maguire completed the comeback with a towering header at the back post.


Saudi Arabia down Korea to move into Asia U17 final

Updated 17 April 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia down Korea to move into Asia U17 final

  • Saudi goalkeeper saved two spot kicks to give the young Green Falcons a 3-1 shootout victory
  • There were opportunities on either side but the Green Falcons’ best chance of the first half came seven minutes before it was over

TAIF: Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi was the hero once more on Thursday as Saudi Arabia beat South Korea on penalties to move into the final of the U17 Asian Cup.
After 90 minutes of tense final semifinal action ended 1-1, the goalkeeper saved two spot kicks to give the young Green Falcons a 3-1 shootout victory.
Roared on by thousands of fans at the Okadh Stadium in the western city of Taif, the hosts, who last won the title way back in 1988, found it difficult however to get past the South Koreans who were looking for a third title in total.
Both had squeezed through their respective quarter-finals via a penalty shootout, Saudi Arabia defeating Japan while Korea got past Tajikistan, and it was not a surprise that the opening exchange were relatively quiet.

There were opportunities on either side but the Green Falcons’ best chance of the first half came seven minutes before it was over. Abdulrahman Sufyani was in a good position and had time to guide his header into the top corner, but his effort went just wide.
The Koreans broke the deadlock just before the break. A free kick from midway inside the home half caused problems. The ball fell to Oh Ha-ram. And while his first-time fierce shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, he was on hand to fire home the rebound.
Saudi Arabia pushed forward from the start of the second half in search of the equalizer. Incredibly, it came with the last action of the game.
The Korean goalkeeper, Park Do-hun, desperate to clear, brought down Abdulaziz Al-Fawaz, and after a lengthy and tense VAR intervention, the penalty was given and then Abubaker Saeed smashed home with 99 minutes on the clock.
That meant a penalty shootout. Al-Otaibi saved from Jeong Hyeon-ung and Kim Do-yeon to win the game for his team.
The victors will now go on to a final against either Uzbekistan or North Korea on Sunday.
The journey is not over, however, as the focus will be on preparing for the 2025 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in November.


Liverpool on brink of title, Leicester and Ipswich prepare for drop

Updated 17 April 2025
Follow

Liverpool on brink of title, Leicester and Ipswich prepare for drop

  • Arne Slot’s Liverpool have turned this one into a procession as rivals fell by the wayside
  • Slot looks certain to become only the fifth manager to win the Premier League in his debut season in English football

LONDON: Liverpool can wrap up a record-equalling 20th English title on Sunday when Leicester City and Ipswich Town are both likely to have their relegation from the Premier League confirmed.
After several nail-biting Premier League title races that went down to the wire, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have turned this one into a procession as rivals fell by the wayside.
Despite trailing champions Manchester City and Arsenal early in the campaign, Liverpool have been top for all but one week since Sept. 28 and three points at 19th-placed Leicester could see them join Manchester United as England’s most-crowned club.
For that to happen, second-placed Arsenal would also have to lose away to third-from-bottom Ipswich.
But whatever the outcome of this weekend’s games, Slot looks certain to become only the fifth manager to win the Premier League in his debut season in English football — the others being Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea).
While Liverpool’s second Premier League title in six seasons has looked inevitable, so has Leicester’s return to the Championship after a woeful campaign.
Leicester snapped an eight-game losing run in the league to draw at Brighton last week but are 17 points behind 17th-placed West Ham United with six games remaining and anything other than a shock win over Liverpool will put them down alongside bottom club Southampton who visit West Ham on Saturday.
Ipswich, who are 14 points behind West Ham, may hope that Arsenal are still celebrating beating Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semifinals when they host Mikel Arteta’s team at Portman Road on Sunday.
The Suffolk club have at least shown some fight this season but defeat by Arsenal, along with wins for West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, would mean that for the second season in a row the three promoted clubs go straight back down.
With the issues at the top and the bottom all but decided, the battle for Champions League qualification is at least providing some tension in the closing weeks.
Arsenal look set to qualify, but the five clubs below them are battling for the three other places.
Third-placed Newcastle United (59 points) visit seventh-placed Aston Villa (54) on Saturday while fourth-placed Nottingham Forest (57) are away at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Outgoing champions Manchester City (55) are currently hanging on to fifth place but can ill-afford any slip-ups at a rejuvenated Everton on Saturday.
Chelsea (54) have slipped down to sixth place after successive draws and, with a tough-looking run-in, will be desperate for a victory at Fulham on Sunday.
Bournemouth, Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion are all still harboring hopes of qualifying for Europe. Bournemouth are at Crystal Palace on Saturday while Brighton visit Brentford.
Fourteenth-placed Manchester United are on course for their worst finish since 1990 and Ruben Amorim’s side will seek to snap a three-match winless run in the Premier League as they host Wolves on Sunday.


Nigerian federation, league and club found negligent for player’s death, says FIFPRO

Updated 17 April 2025
Follow

Nigerian federation, league and club found negligent for player’s death, says FIFPRO

  • Martins, who played for Nasarawa United, died aged 23 when he collapsed during a match where the medical services were deemed insufficient
  • The National Industrial Court of Nigeria ruled the club "breached their duty of care"

NAIROBI: A Nigerian club, the league and the country’s football federation (NFF) were found negligent for the death of player Chineme Martins after he collapsed during a game in March 2020, players’ union FIFPRO said on Thursday.
Martins, who played for Nasarawa United, died aged 23 when he collapsed during a match where the medical services were deemed insufficient.
According to FIFPRO, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria ruled the club “breached their duty of care” toward Martins and they must compensate his family.


The court also said the league, the NFF and match commissioner had a duty of care to ensure the club complied with relevant regulations and they breached it.
FIFPRO added that an NFF report concluded that there was neither a medical doctor nor a physiotherapist at the game while there was “no functional ambulance at the stadium” when he collapsed.
“The court’s ruling stated it was ‘reprehensible’ that Martins was allowed to play without complete medical tests,” FIFPRO said in a statement.
“An echocardiogram was never conducted on Martins at the start of each of his three seasons with the club – and without the provision of adequate medical facilities at the Lafia Township Stadium.”
FIFPRO said its lawyers had helped the player’s family pursue the claim of negligence.
“I hope that the appropriate medical provisions are put in place for Nigeria’s footballers going forward, so that no family has to endure the pain we have suffered,” Martins’ brother Michael said.
Reuters has contacted the NFF and the Nigeria Premier League for comment.


Egyptians take on South Africans in African Champions League semis

Updated 17 April 2025
Follow

Egyptians take on South Africans in African Champions League semis

  • Holders Al Ahly continue their bid for a fifth title in six seasons in Pretoria on Saturday
  • Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the dominant force in African football and have won 12 previous Champions League titles

CAPE TOWN: Two Egyptian clubs face two from South Africa this weekend in the semifinals of this season’s African Champions League in a rare bilateral contest.
Holders Al Ahly continue their bid for a fifth title in six seasons in Pretoria on Saturday against Mamelodi Sundowns, a side who once handed them a record defeat but have too often exited in the knockout stages after dominating the group phase.
Also on Saturday, Pyramids will be hoping to consolidate their fast-track emergence as a force in the African game when they take on Orlando Pirates in Soweto.
The return legs are both in Cairo next Friday with the winners advancing to the two-legged final at the end of May and in early June.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the dominant force in African football and have won 12 previous Champions League titles while the other three semifinalists have two triumphs between them — Pirates in 1995 and Sundowns in 2016.


But despite their strong track record, Ahly are not favorites after unconvincing performances in the league phase, where they were runners-up in their group.
There has been criticism of their Swiss coach Marc Koller in recent days after they also stumbled against Pyramids in the Egyptian league.
Sundowns handed Ahly a record 5-0 defeat in the 2019 quarter-finals and also scored five against them in Pretoria two years ago in the group phase.
But the South African club, owned by the family of Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe, have a long history of falling short in the knockout rounds.
Pyramids are competing in the Champions League for only the second time.
The club was formed in 2008 but moved to Cairo a decade later after being taken over by Saudi investors and are well placed to win a first Egyptian championship at the end of this season.
Opponents Pirates were one of only two unbeaten sides in the group competition and have won three away matches in north Africa in this season’s campaign.
But they will need home success on Saturday to ensure a defendable lead to take to Cairo for the return leg.
It is not the first time clubs from two countries have clashed in both Champions League semifinals.
In the 2020, Al Ahly beat Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 5-1 on aggregate in their semifinal, while Zamalek were too good for Raja Casablanca, winning 4-1 over their two ties.
Al Ahly edged Cairo rivals Zamalek 2-1 in the final in the Egyptian capital.