Tag: La Liga

Teenage debutant Marc Guiu snatched champions Barcelona a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao just seconds after coming on from the bench in La Liga, taking the Catalans up to third.

Xavi’s Barca will face La Liga table-topper Real Madrid next Saturday in the El Clasico just one point behind their bitter rivals, and second-placed Girona, who beat Almeria 5-2 earlier on.

For a long time, it seemed like Barcelona would not find the breakthrough against their Basque visitors but striker Guiu, 17, netted under a minute after being thrown on by Xavi.

The forward was slipped in by the silky Joao Felix and slotted past Unai Simon, who got a hand to his shot but could not keep it out.

Guiu became the latest on a conveyor belt of youths to make their debuts for Barca as their La Masia academy continues to produce gems.

“He’s been training with us for the whole season, it’s important that everyone who comes brings something,” Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez told DAZN.

“We’re happy for him, for the goal, and above all, for winning.”

Xavi started Martinez against his former club in La Liga and 20-year-old Fermin Lopez on the left of the attack, another academy product, with Barcelona down to the bare bones.

Several regular starters, including key striker Robert Lewandowski, are out injured.

Felix clipped the top of the crossbar with a shot from Ferran Torres’ cut-back as Barcelona looked to get started quickly ahead of a tricky week.

The Catalans host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday before welcoming rivals Madrid to Montjuic.

However, the hosts were negated by former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic, who took the sting out of the game and occasionally sprang forward with both Williams brothers threatening from the flanks.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen tipped over an Inaki Williams effort and then parried a strike from the Ghana international, with Martinez producing a sublime block to deny his sibling Nico from the rebound.

Approaching the hour mark Barcelona carved out their best chance, when Simon brilliantly denied Lopez from close range, after initially saving from Felix’s low strike.

Another followed when Felix fed substitute Lamine Yamal in the area but the 16-year-old starlet dragged his shot wide of the near post.

The teenager’s arrival helped Barcelona gain the upper hand and Joao Cancelo was the next to draw a save from the watchful Simon.

Xavi brought on Guiu in the 79th minute and with his very first touch he broke into the area and then confidently fired past Simon.

Full of energy, the striker was soon booked for an attempted slide tackle which caught the goalkeeper as he tried to stop him clearing his lines, as he was roared on by the jubilant home fans.

Barcelona’s victory takes them above Atletico Madrid, fourth, while Valverde’s Athletic are sixth.

“I’m annoyed because it went just past me and maybe I could have done a bit more,” Simon told DAZN.

“We really wanted to get three points to make a big gap above seventh place.”

READ: Spirited Afghanistan upset Pakistan to claim historic victory

Real Madrid shared a pulsating 1-1 draw with Sergio Ramos’ Sevilla on Saturday, ensuring they will face Barcelona in the Clasico next weekend as La Liga leaders.

Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann struck a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over 10-man Celta Vigo to help Atletico Madrid climb provisionally second in the La Liga points table, in hot pursuit of their city rivals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid dropped two points in the La Liga title race but extended their lead to four points over bitter rivals Barcelona, who are in fourth place and host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

David Alaba’s own goal sent the hosts ahead but Madrid quickly pulled level through Dani Carvajal.

Madrid faced their former captain Sergio Ramos, back at Sevilla for the first time in 18 years, and the 37-year-old gave a typically all-action display to frustrate Los Blancos.

Sevilla impressed, giving as good as they got in new coach Diego Alonso’s first match in charge, ahead of their Champions League clash with Arsenal on Tuesday.

Los Blancos players were left unhappy by decisions to rule out goals for Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham, the latter after Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos had gone down hurt with Madrid piling forward.

Madrid faced off against Ramos, 37, who rejoined his boyhood club Sevilla in September and put in a heroic defensive display at the raucous Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.

Ramos produced a stunning block as Alaba tried to turn home from close range and later squared off with his Madrid successor, Antonio Rudiger, squeezing the German’s cheeks.

Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland saved Vinicius Junior’s volley before the break, one of Madrid’s clearest chances.

The goalkeeper then denied Rodrygo early in the second half with a superb save with his legs, as the visitors hunted for the breakthrough.

Ramos, in his element, produced multiple blocks and clearances to keep Madrid at bay, before Sevilla took the lead.

Alaba, under pressure from Youssef En-Nesyri, accidentally turned Ocampos’ cross into his own net with 15 minutes remaining.

However, the Andalusians were not able to hold on to it for long, with Carvajal heading Toni Kroos’s free-kick home at the near post four minutes later.

Tempers frayed in the final stages as Vinicius pushed Nyland, who fell to the floor theatrically, sparking a shoving match.

Sevilla said they ejected a fan after an instance of racist abuse during the game, with Spanish media running images of a man appearing to make a monkey gesture at Vinicius during the brawl.

Atletico’s big La Liga win at Celta was aided by home goalkeeper Ivan Villa’s red card midway through the first half for felling Alvaro Morata.

Griezmann tucked away the resulting penalty and hit two more to move second in La Liga’s goalscoring charts on seven strikes.

The Frenchman netted his second when he drove forward brilliantly from inside his own half into the Celta area, and then slipped as he tried to cross the ball, accidentally driving it past Guaita at the near post.

“It was a cross, I wanted to cross it in and for that reason I said sorry to (Morata),” Griezmann told Movistar.

The forward slotted Nahuel Molina’s low cross home to complete his treble and round off a superb night for the Rojiblancos and Diego Simeone.

“Until the penalty they seemed like they could hurt us,” said the Argentine coach, who admitted Rafa Benitez’s Celta, 18th, had started well.

“The penalty and the red card changed things.”

READ: Klaasen, bowlers aid South Africa thrash holders England

Sergio Ramos has not played against Real Madrid since 2005 but on Saturday, his Sevilla team will welcome the La Liga leaders to the Sanchez-Pizjuan for a reunion.

New Sevilla coach Diego Alonso faces a stern test in his first game at the helm and in veteran centre-back Ramos who can offer plenty of insight into Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid side.

Ramos controversially left Seville for the Spanish capital at the age of 19, which some fans have never forgotten, even though the majority welcomed him back with open arms this summer.

“We believe that the mere proposal of this signing was already a lack of respect for the values that have made us great… and for the thousands of Sevilla fans who have suffered the scorn of this player in the past,” wrote Sevilla ultras group Biris Norte in an open letter.

In the years after his departure, Ramos was keen to goad his former side, while he was roundly booed on visits to face Seville.

However, the defender said he could “die happy” after playing for his boyhood club again, and has impressed since returning even though the team was struggling under Jose Luis Mendilibar.

“I had a few doubts at first but the reception I had on my arrival, I will take to the grave … now I can die happy,” said Ramos after his first match back at the Sanchez-Pizjuan, a win over Las Palmas.

One sour note was his own goal against old rivals Barcelona, handing the champions a 1-0 win at the Catalan club’s temporary Olympic Stadium home at the end of September.

Ramos will hope his first clash with Real Madrid goes better, although it promises to be an emotional affair for him.

He left Madrid for French side Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 but was injured when the sides met in the Champions League in March 2022.

The last time Ramos faced Madrid was for Sevilla in May 2005, and he scored in a 2-2 draw, hammering home a long-range drive after a free-kick was laid off to him.

Ramos has never lost a game against Real Madrid — the other time he faced them Sevilla won 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid will want to keep, or even extend, their three-point advantage over Barcelona ahead of the Clasico on October 28.

Barcelona host former coach Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in another reunion, with the Catalans currently third.

Girona, second, welcomes bottom-of-the-table Almeria on Sunday and will be confident of staying ahead of their more illustrious Catalan neighbours.

Sevilla are 14th, with only two wins in their first eight games and only two points clear of the relegation zone.

The Madrid clash is only the start of a tough run of games for Alonso and his side, with Arsenal visiting on Tuesday in the Champions League, and a derby clash against Real Betis in La Liga on the horizon.

READ: Pakistan U19 squad for One-day series against Sri Lanka U19 announced

GRANADA: Sergi Roberto scored an 85th-minute equalizer to save Barcelona from their first loss in the ongoing La Liga season at the hands of Granda at Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes on Sunday.

Granada got off to a dream start at their home ground with Bryan Zaragoza scoring the fastest La Liga goal this century in only 17 seconds.

He did not stop there and added another goal to his tally just a minute before the half-hour mark to increase Barcelona’s deficit to 2-0.

However, Lamine Yamal got in the record books to reduce the deficit for Barcelona in stoppage time as he hammered the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Lamine Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in the history of La Liga, overtaking Fabrice Olinga, who was 11 days older when he scored for Malaga against Celta Vigo in 2012.

Watch La Liga 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

Barcelona dominated the second half looking for an equalizer but the home team was tough at defense to deny The Catalans’s attempts until Sergi Roberto found Alejandro Balde’s cross in the 85th minute to rescue his side.

Both sides settled for a 2-2 stalemate after Barcelona almost won in the extra time thanks to Felix’s header but the referee raised an offside flag.

Meanwhile, two other La Liga fixtures ended with the same score as Celta Vigo drew with Getafe, and Sevilla drew with Rayo Vallecano.

In another match, Las Palmas defeated Villarreal 2-1 at Estadi de la Ceràmica, after the home side managed to score their only goal in the extra time to reduce the losing margin.

Atletico Madrid registered their sixth victory of the ongoing La Liga season after a late penalty by Antoine Griezmann helped his side edge Real Sociedad 2-1 at Civitas Metropolitan Stadium.

READ: AC Milan make Olivier Giroud goalkeeper after Genoa heroics

Jude Bellingham continued his devastating form with a brace as Real Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 to return to the top of La Liga on Saturday.

Girona’s 1-0 win at Cadiz temporarily gave the Catalan minnows a one-point lead but Real Madrid cruised to victory at the Santiago Bernabeu to reclaim first place, with Vinicius Junior and Joselu also scoring in the rout.

England international Jude Bellingham, the division’s top scorer with eight goals, was at his unstoppable best once more in the final third.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has shifted the former Borussia Dortmund player into a more attacking role behind two central strikers and it has paid dividends.

After scoring a brilliant solo goal against Napoli in midweek in the Champions League and adding two more against Osasuna, the midfielder now has 10 across both competitions in 10 appearances.

“He’s in top form, he’s showing the player he is, I hope he keeps on like this,” Madrid defender Dani Carvajal told Real Madrid TV.

“I hope he keeps scoring goals and keeps helping us, because he can win us titles.”

Ancelotti deployed defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Antonio Rudiger at the heart of defence, with David Alaba and Eder Militao injured, and Nacho suspended after his rash tackle last weekend against Girona.

However, Tchouameni enjoyed a quiet afternoon at the back as Real Madrid dominated to ensure they will stay perched at the top over the international break.

Madrid broke the deadlock after nine minutes when Luka Modric, afforded a rare start, fed Carvajal who laid the ball off neatly to Bellingham.

The midfielder, who had surged into the box, opened up some space and then blasted home, leaving goalkeeper Sergio Herrera with little chance.

Vinicius fired narrowly over when he might have passed to Jude Bellingham, with Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga reduced to a mere spectator at the other end.

Osasuna did carve out one good chance, shortly before half-time, with Ante Budimir slashing over the bar after being set up nicely by Ruben Pena.

Bellingham started and finished Madrid’s second goal in the 55th minute, darting forward and playing a one-two with Fede Valverde, before sweeping home, showing the combination of grace and dynamism he is known for.

Watch La Liga 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

Vinicius extended Madrid’s lead when Valverde sent him running through on goal, with the Brazilian expertly rounding goalkeeper Herrera and tapping home.

The winger turned provider for the fourth goal, setting up on-loan striker Joselu, who gleefully finished for his fifth league goal in his last six la Liga games.

“It’s a tough place to go, against one of the best teams in the world — they were far superior,” Osasuna wide man Pena told Movistar.

Joselu’s sixth should have followed when David Garcia conceded a penalty for handball, but Herrera saved the forward’s effort, fired down the middle.

Osasuna’s goalkeeper has a superb penalty-saving record, including stopping two efforts from former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema in one match.

Joselu’s miss did not take the shine off Madrid’s afternoon, as they celebrated their most emphatic win of the season to date.

“The team came out for the three points from the start, we played a complete game in all areas, and we gave up few chances,” added Carvajal.

“We achieved our objective of reaching the international break as leaders.”

READ: Europe, Africa and South America to host games in FIFA World Cup 2030

MADRID: Argentinian striker Ángel Correa scored twice to script a triumphant comeback for Atletico Madrid in the La Liga season 2023/24 as they defeated Cadiz 3-2 after being two down at Civitas Metropolitan Stadium on Monday.

The home side started strongly with Antoine Griezmann finding Correa’s cross two minutes into the game, however, the ball hit the right post. A minute later another of his attempts was brilliantly saved by Jeremias Ledesma.

Despite the home side’s attempts Cadiz did not let them get through and scored the first goal in the 12^th minute as Chris Ramos’ cross met Lucas Pires who sent the ball from the left side of the six-yard box to the bottom left corner.

They doubled their lead 15 minutes later with Roger Martí getting in the scoresheet.

However, only five minutes later Ángel Correa scored his first goal to reduce the deficit for Atletico Madrid. César Azpilicueta’s shot was met by Correa who headed from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.

Watch LA LIGA 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

Atletico Madrid started the second half with Nahuel Molina’s equalizer from a difficult angle to go past the goalkeeper and hit the bottom right corner of the net.

Antoine Griezmann made two more excellent attempts but were blocked before Saúl Ñíguez met Ángel Correa who scored the match-winning second goal.

This was Atletico Madrid’s third consecutive victory in the ongoing season of La Liga, which propelled them to fourth spot in the points table.

Meanwhile, in another La Liga fixture, Las Palmas edged past Celta Vigo 2-1 at Gran Canaria Stadium to register their second victory in the ongoing season.

READ: Jaiswal ton powers India to victory in Asian Games debut

GIRONA: Real Madrid jumped to the top of the La Liga 2023/24 points table after thumping second-ranked Girona 3-0 at Estadi Montilivi on Saturday.

Girona started the game on song with three attempts within the first ten minutes. However, they were unable to take the lead before Real Madrid turned the game around and gained an advantage over the home side as they managed to score in the 17th minute through a pass from Bellingham to Joselu, who turned it in past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

The visitors did not wait much and extended their lead to 2-0 four minutes later when Aurelien Tchouameni headed in from a corner.

Girona failed to make a comeback after that and Real Madrid sealed the victory with a third goal in the 71st minute as Jude Bellingham, fired in a volley during a counter-attack.

Watch LA LIGA 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

Jude Bellingham has scored six goals in the ongoing La Liga season after arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer following a huge transfer deal.

The only negative for Real Madrid in this match was that defender Nacho was sent off for an ugly high tackle on Portu, who went off injured towards the end of the match.

In other La Liga fixtures, Real Sociedad outclassed Atheltic Club with a thumping 3-0 victory at Anoeta Stadium, which helped them jump to the fourth spot in the ongoing season, while Getafe and Villarreal settled for a goalless draw.

Robin Le Normand opened the scoring for Real Sociedad in the 30th minute before Takefusa Kubo extended their lead three minutes into the second half.

Mikel Oyarzabal then scored the third goal for the home side from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner courtesy of an assist by Martín Zubimendi with a through ball.

Meanwhile, the La Liga fixture between Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca ended in a 2-2 stalemate at Estadio de Vallecas after Radamel Falcao of Rayo Vallecano converted a penalty in the final moments of the game to script a comeback draw for the home side.

READ: ICC World Cup 2023: Mickey Arthur links up Pakistan squad in India

PAMPLONA: Atletico Madrid won back-to-back matches in the ongoing La Liga season as they thumped Osasuna 2-0 in a heated clash on Thursday at El Sadar.

After defeating city rivals Real Madrid 3-1 on Sunday, Atletico Madrid carried the momentum against Osasuna and created a few chances early on before Antoine Griezmann hit the net in the 20th minute to draw first blood.

The home side could not do much in the first half, however, they dominated the second half in their quest for an equalizer and after 76 minutes, they earned the reward as David Garcia scored from a corner, but the goal was disallowed because Ante Budimir was found to have fouled Axel Witsel.

Atletico Madrid, doubled their lead a few minutes later, thanks to Samuel Lino breaking forward and passing to Rodrigo Riquelme who made no mistake to make it 2-0 to seal the game for the visitors.

The closely fought encounter saw players losing their cool towards the end as Chimy Avila and Alvaro Morata got into a fight and both got red. After seeming to stamp on Morata, the Osasuna player was given a straight red, while Morata received a second yellow for his response.

Meanwhile, two other La Liga fixtures ended at a 1-1 draw as Celta Vigo drew with Alaves at Estadio de Balaídos, and Granada drew Real Betis at Nuevo Los Cármenes.

Granada were on a three-match losing streak prior to the game, and it appeared that it would be extended to four losses, however, Bryan Zaragoza’s cross met Lucas Boyé in the 67th minute, who netted from very close range to equalize and save his team from another defeat.

READ: Surrey win English County Championship

Real Madrid registered a comfortable victory 2-0 over Las Palmas and moved to the second position, however, Girona jumped to the top of the La Liga 2023/24 points table after edging Villarreal 2-1 on Wednesday.

Coming off the La Liga derby defeat, Real Madrid dominated visitors from the first whistle at Santiago Bernabeu and came close to opening the scoring after just eight minutes as Joselu picked out Rodrygo in the box, who made a fierce attempt but Alvaro Valles made the save.

They kept the pressure on, but Las Palmas did not let them score throughout a thrilling first half until Brahim Diaz netted to give Los Blancos the lead in the stoppage time.

Real Madrid doubled their lead early in the second half as Joselu scored off a header on Rodrygo’s cross, with the ball hitting the far corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Meanwhile, in another La Liga fixture, Girona came from behind to win after being at a goal deficit early in the second half against Villarreal at Estadio de la Cerámica.

The visitors conceded a penalty courtesy of Iván Martín’s foul in the penalty area four minutes into the second half, which was successfully converted by Dani Parejo.

However, visitors made a comeback and equalised only seven minutes later as Sávio’s cross found enough of Artem Dovbyk’s to hit the bottom right corner of the net.

Girona did not wait long and only four minutes later Eric García scored the match-winning header from very close range to the bottom right corner after finding Aleix García’s cross following a corner.

Real Sociedad on the other hand, registered their third win in the ongoing La Liga season at the expense of home team Valencia courtesy of Carlos Fernández’s shot after an assist by Kieran Tierney following a set piece situation at Mestalla Stadium.

Meanwhile, two other La Liga fixtures ended at a stalemate Athletic Club drew 2-2 with Getafe, and Cadiz’s game against Rayo Vallecano ended goalless.

READ: Netherlands eye semi-final place at ICC World Cup 2023

PALMA: Youngster Fermin Lopez rescued La Liga toppers Barcelona with a 75th-minute goal against Mallorca to draw the game at Iberostar Stadium on Tuesday.

Fermin Lopez came off the bench and netted his first senior goal for Barcelona in about 12 minutes to help his team avoid their first loss of the ongoing La Liga season.

Mallorca started the game on high and gained an early advantage in the 8th minute as Vedat Muriqi took advantage of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s mistake to play the ball out causing a scramble in the penalty area.

Barcelona’s Raphinha scored the equalizing goal in the 41st minute, but Mallorca managed to get the lead again only seven minutes later in stoppage time with a goal from Abdon Prats, assisted by Muriqi’s long ball.

The home side dominated and kept Barcelona’s attackers silent until Lopez helped his team equalize 15 minutes before the final whistle as both teams shared points.

Watch LA LIGA 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP

In another La Liga fixture, Sevilla thumped Almeria 5-1 at their home Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Tuesday.

This was Sevilla’s second victory in the la Liga 2023/24, while, Almeria suffered their fifth loss in the season and are yet to win a game this season.

The home side raced to a two-goal advantage in eight minutes with back-to-back goals by Youssef En-Nesyri and Dodi Lukebakio.

Sevilla further extended their lead in the 38th minute as Suso scored off a left-footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner, thanks to a timely assist by Djibril Sow.

The first half ended at 3-0, however, the home side started the second half the same way as the first with Adrià Pedrosa’s cross reaching Erik Lamela, who netted the fourth goal for Almeria.

Almeria scored their only goal when Luis Suarez converted a penalty as Jesús Navas was shown a yellow card.

The match appeared to end at 4-1, but Kike Salas added another goal to the home side’s tally in the stoppage time.

The Sevilla will next face defending champions Barcelona on September 30.

READ: Fastest fifty and ton power Nepal to highest T20I total, victory margin