Tag: La Liga season 2023/24

Morata scores twice to help Atletico defeat Real Madrid in La Liga derby

MADRID: Alvaro Morata scored twice to end Real Madrid’s perfect start in the La Liga season 2023/24 as Atletico Madrid earned an inspiring 3-1 victory over the city rivals at Civitas Metropolitan Stadium on Sunday.

Real Madrid entered the game with a five-match winning streak in the ongoing season of La Liga, while Atletico Madrid were coming off an away loss against Valencia.

However, the home team wasted no time and gained an early advantage in the fourth minute as Morata scored off a header.

Real Madrid maintained possession and made several vain attempts to equalize before Antoine Griezmann got into the scoresheet as he netted a header to extend the lead for Atletico Madrid at the 18-minute mark.

Real Madrid finally managed to reduce the two-goal deficit, thanks to a brilliant strike by veteran Toni Kroos in the 35th minute, leaving no chance for goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Kroos attempted to equalize before half-time with an assist from Eduardo Camavinga, however, Oblak made the save in the bottom left corner to deny the comeback for Los Blancos.

Atletico Madrid continued their dominant performance in the second half, with Morata scoring off a header less than a minute after the restart to extend their lead to two goals once again.

They then defended well enough to keep Real Madrid’s aggression limited and ended the game at 3-1 to hand Real Madrid their first loss of the ongoing La Liga season.

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On the other hand, Las Palmas registered their first victory in the La Liga season 2023/24, as they triumphed over Granada at Estadio Gran Canaria. Kirian Rodríguez scored a mere five minutes before the final whistle to lead his team to victory after being reduced to ten men.

Meanwhile, two La Liga games ended at a 1-1 stalemate, as Real Betis drew with Cadiz at Benito Villamarín, and, Rayo Vallecano drew with Villareal at Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday.

In another La Liga fixture, Real Sociedad made a stellar comeback to a 4-3 victory over Getafe at Anoeta Stadium.

The home side started the game with Takefusa Kubo scoring in the first minute, thanks to an assist by Brais Méndez, however, Getafe’s Carles Aleñá scored off a header from very close range in the 39th minute to level the scores.

Getafe further extended their lead as Borja Mayoral converted a penalty in the extra time after Álex Remiro was shown the yellow card. The first half ended with Getafe on top with 2-1.

Real Sociedad equalled in the 61st minute as Mikel Oyarzabal scored off the penalty, and got the lead only five minutes later with Brais Méndez scoring off a header from the centre.

Mikel Oyarzabal got his name in the scoresheet once again as he scored in the 88th minute, thanks to an assist by Mikel Merino to make it 4-2.

Juanmi Latasa scored one for Getafe to reduce the deficit to end the game at 4-3.

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Teenager Lamine Yamal’s star rising as Barcelona host Real Betis

Young Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal broke records for Spain in the past week and can continue to add to his collection against Real Betis on Saturday.

The winger became Spain’s youngest-ever player, starter and goalscorer during the international break at 16 years old, and is establishing himself as important for club and country.

Lamine Yamal became Barcelona’s youngest debutant at 15 years and 290 days old against Betis in April last season.

This season he went on to become La Liga’s youngest starter in the 21st century, and also the youngest assist provider in the same time frame.

Lamine Yamal has not scored for Barcelona yet but if he does this season, he can overtake Ansu Fati’s club record — or the overall record for youngest La Liga scorer, set by Malaga’s Fabrice Olinga at 16 years and 98 days old.

The winger was man of the match in Barcelona’s 4-3 win at Villarreal in August and has started the club’s last three games, all victories.

Barcelona, third, trail rivals and league leaders Real Madrid by two points after four matches, because of their opening day draw at Getafe.

That was the match which prompted Xavi to turn to Yamal to offer some creative spark, as well as a red card for Raphinha opening up a position on the right flank.

Ousmane Dembele’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer was another factor in giving Yamal an opportunity at such a tender age.

“He’s a mature player despite being 16,” said Barca coach Xavi earlier in September.

“He’s conscious of what he’s going through and he’s happy, the management (of the situation) is very good and for now, there are no problems.”

Barcelona have been criticised in the past for throwing players into action at young ages and burning them out.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez played nearly 70 games for his club and Spain in his first season and has struggled with injuries since, while Ansu Fati, now on loan at Brighton, is another example.

“We have to think about it positively,” said Xavi.

“He’s in a process of maturation and growth — we hope that doesn’t happen.”

Barcelona are without Pedri and Ronald Araujo for the clash at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, where they will reencounter a familiar face — Moroccan winger Ez Abde.

Lamine Yamal might also have chosen to play for the North African country but instead chose Spain.

Betis signed Abde on the final day of the summer transfer window and his direct running could pose the champions an immediate threat.

Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid visit Valencia on Saturday elsewhere in La Liga.

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La Liga: Lewandowski’s late penalty guides Barcelona to victory over Osasuna

PAMPLONA: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski converted a late penalty to guide Barcelona to their third victory in the ongoing La Liga season over Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors Barcelona started the game on high with De Jong striking the post, however, Lewandowski missed the rebound to everyone’s surprise. Osasuna got alert after this early attack and started to challenge Barcelona’s defence in a bid to get the upper hand.

Barcelona missed another chance in the 12th minute as Ilkay Gundogan failed to convert an attempt from the six-yard box.

Meanwhile, Osasuna also looked to attack and put together a good passing move in the 31st minute as Aimar Oroz arrived in the box to shoot, but Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen was able to push it away and saved the goal for his team.

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Both teams fought well to not allow the goal to the other team, however, Barcelona managed to get the lead, thanks to a header by Jules Koundé minutes before halftime.

Both teams made triple substitutions around the 60-minute mark in the second half to bring fresh legs to take the game forward. The home side’s substitution paid well as Chimy Avila who replaced José Arnáiz, scored in the 76th minute to provoke the biggest cheer of the night from the home crowd making it 1-1 with about 15 minutes to go.

However, Osasuna’s Alejandro Catena was handed a red card following a bad foul in the penalty area, awarding a penalty to Barcelona, which was successfully converted by Robert Lewandowski to give the match-winning lead to the visitors.

In another La Liga clash, Atheltic Club and Mallorca settled for a goalless draw after a hard-fought game at Iberostar Stadium, while, Girona edged past Las Palmas after a late goal by Portu at Montilivi.

The defending La Liga champions Barcelona will now face Real Betis on Saturday, September 17 in their fifth match this season.

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La Liga: Bellingham’s late winner helps Real Madrid edge Getafe

MADRID: Jude Bellingham on Saturday scored a 95th-minute goal to seal a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid over Getafe in the ongoing La Liga season at the new-look Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

This victory maintained Real Madrid’s undefeated streak in La Liga 2023-24 season as they won all four games and are comfortably sitting at the top of the table.

Bellingham arrived from Borussia Dortmund in the summer following a huge transfer deal and has already surpassed Madrid’s hopes by settling in quickly.

The England international netted his fifth goal in four games to snatch three points from the derby clash, Madrid’s first game without injured forward Vinicius Junior.

Getafe started the game brilliantly with an early goal by former Madrid striker Borja Mayoral in the eleventh minute to send the visitors ahead.

However, Vinicius Junior’s replacement Joselu scored an equalizer early in the second half to help the home side level under a roof at Madrid’s remodeled stadium.

The match remained at that level and it appeared to end as a 1-1 draw, however, Jude Bellingham beats goalkeeper David Soria to the ball and pokes home for the winner a mere 6 minutes before the final whistle.

Bellingham joined a small group of players to have netted in each of their first four Liga matches, including Madrid’s all-time record goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Earlier in another La Liga fixture, Takefusa Kubo hit a brace to help Real Sociedad earn their first win of the ongoing La Liga season, beating promoted side Granada 5-3 in San Sebastian.

Meanwhile, Real Betis climbed to sixth position in the La Liga points table with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano and Alaves edged Valencia by the same score.

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