BARCELONA: A spectacular Bruno Soriano free kick on Thursday gave in-form Villarreal a 1-0 victory over Valencia who are still looking for their first La Liga win under new coach Gary Neville.
Soriano netted for the home side with a sweet strike that curled into the top corner after 64 minutes. Valencia pushed forward in the second half but could not find an equalizer.
Fourth-placed Villarreal’s fourth straight league win gave them 33 points from 17 games.
There are plenty of problems, however, for Valencia with Neville having been brought in with the target of winning a place in the Champions League.
They are now 10th on 22 points with two draws and a defeat in the league under the former Manchester United and England player.
“It went in perfectly and where the keeper couldn’t reach it,” Soriano told reporters. “We knew it would be a difficult game with Valencia defending deeply but we have confidence at the moment and created chances.”
Barcelona, who have a game in hand, are level with Atletico Madrid at the top of the table on 38 points. Real Madrid are third with 36 points.
Valencia have injury problems and Neville opted for a solid formation with a five-man defense, and Alvaro Negredo and Paco Alcacer together in attack for the first time.
There was little connection between the forward as Villarreal controlled possession in midfield but the visitors did manage to hinder their build-up play.
Jonathan Dos Santos had a snap shot comfortably saved by Valencia keeper Jaume Domenech and Soriano had a free kick that whistled just wide.
Valencia went more on the front foot after the break, with Alcacer firing over when well placed in the area, but it was Villarreal who struck the only goal.
Alcacer went on to miss another good opening and Neville’s men were unable to mount any concerted pressure.
Bruno lands knockout punch in Villareal win over Valencia
Bruno lands knockout punch in Villareal win over Valencia
FIFA apologizes to Argentina coach over World Cup trophy gloves rule
- Scaloni, visibly taken aback, said that the officials did not know who he was
- “I apologize on behalf of FIFA. I didn’t know,” Infantino said
WASHINGTON: FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologized to Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni after a mix-up during Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw required the coach to wear gloves to touch the trophy.
Infantino invited Scaloni to lift the Cup without gloves during a separate ceremony on Saturday.
The incident came during Friday’s draw for the tournament, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, when organizers seemingly failed to recognize the World Cup-winning coach.
Scaloni, visibly taken aback, said that the officials did not know who he was.
Twenty four hours later, at an event to confirm the tournament’s schedule, Infantino aimed to make amends.
“I apologize on behalf of FIFA. I didn’t know,” he said, calling Scaloni on stage and presenting him with the trophy.
“Of course, the world champions can touch the Cup. I apologize, I didn’t know,” repeated Infantino, adding with a laugh, “What an outrage! It’s just that when you’re a world champion, you look younger every day.”
Argentina will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 16 against Austria in Kansas City. They will then face Jordan in Dallas and Algeria.
