Tag: La Liga

BARCELONA: Home side Barcelona absolutely crushed Real Betis 5-0 and handed them their second loss of the ongoing La Liga 2023-24 on Saturday at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Barcelona stepped into Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, their temporary home as Camp Nou undergoes renovation, with three consecutive victories in La Liga and showed no mercy against visitors from the first whistle.

Joao Felix, making his debut for Barcelona drew first blood with a close-range strike to the bottom left corner in the 25th minute.

The home team extended their lead seven minutes later as Lewandowski scored with the assist from Andreas Christensen.

Real Betis had a chance to score as Isco picked out Willian Jose who guided the ball towards goal, however, Barcelona’s goalkeeper Ter Stegen made a one-handed save to deny the goal to the visitors.

The first half ended with a two-goal lead for the home side, and they further extended it 12 minutes into the second half as Ferran Torres scored a brilliant freekick, curling it around the wall and past Rui Silva.

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Raphinha replaced Ferran Torres and got into the action from the get-go and earned the reward with his name on the scoresheet four minutes later.

Barcelona’s second debutant in the game Joao Cancelo, also joined the fun as he strode forward, and then struck into the bottom corner in the 81st minute to close the game for the home side 5-0.

In another La Liga fixture, home side Valencia registered their third win of the season after two consecutive losses as they thumped Atletico Madrid 3-0.

Hugo Duro scored two goals in the first half to keep Valencia cruising, while Javi Guerra scored the final decisive goal in the 54^th minute to seal the deal.

It was Valencia’s first win over Atletico Madrid since 2014 and steered them to the fifth place in La Liga points table with nine points.

Meanwhile, Mallora registered their first victory in the La Liga season 2023-24 at the expense of Celta Vigo at Estadio de Balaídos.

Athletic Club on the other hand earned their third win of the season as they defeated Cadiz 3-0, after a goalless first half, however, they attacked mercilessly in the second half and scored three goals in 24 minutes to seal the victory at San Mamés Stadium.

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MADRID: Rayo Vallecano recovered from back-to-back defeats in the ongoing La Liga 2023/24 to thump Alaves 2-0 at home on Friday.

The home side got off to a flying start when Isi Palazon converted a penalty just two minutes before half-time after winger Alvaro Garcia was fouled in the area.

Garcia once again played a pivotal role in his team’s goal as he provided a fine assist for Jorge de Frutos, who doubled Rayo Vallecano’s lead in the 82nd minute.

This victory will serve as a major morale booster for Francisco Rodríguez’s side, who replaced Andoni Iraola as the latter left to take over Bournemouth in the off-season.

Rayo Vallecano were on a two-match losing streak, having succumbed to a 0-1 loss against Real Betis and a 0-7 thrashing by Atletico Madrid on August 29.

Both Rayo Vallecano and Atletico Madrid took the field without a loss in their previous two La Liga games, however, the visitors gained an early advantage as Antoine Griezmann scored in the second minute into the game courtesy of Rodrigo De Paul’s assist.

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Rodrigo De Paul also attempted to score a goal of his own, but his attempt was missed.

Rayo Vallecano made two vain attempts before Atletico Madrid’s Memphis Depay extended the lead to 2-0 at the 16-minute mark.

Rodrigo De Paul made another assist in the 36th minute as Nahuel Molina scored the third goal for Atletico Madrid.

The home side made two attempts before the first half but failed to get a goal over Atletico.

The game appeared to be over at 3-0 in the first half but the visitors did not slow down, and struck the fourth goal in the 73rd minute thanks to Álvaro Morata.

The fifth goal came a mere six minutes later as Ángel Correa netted from outside the box.

Ángel Correa assisted Álvaro Morata to score another goal in the 84th minute before Marcos Llorente hit the final nail in the coffin with the seventh goal only two minutes later to hand a humiliating defeat to Rayo Vallecano.

This was the biggest-ever away win in La Liga for Atletico Madrid.

READ: 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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Veteran former Spain defender Sergio Ramos on Monday returned to his home-town club Sevilla after 18 years away.

“It’s a very special day, returning home is always a tremendous joy,” Ramos told the media.

The 37-year-old former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain player signed a one-year contract after passing the traditional medical, the club announced.

“Happy to return and try to contribute as soon as possible which is the important thing,” the player added.

Sevilla sit bottom of La Liga without a point after three matches but as Europa League champions have qualified for the Champions League group stage. They start their campaign on September 20.

Sergio Ramos left Sevilla at the age of 19 to join Real Madrid for a then record fee for a Spanish defender.

In 2021, Ramos signed for PSG but had been without a club since his contract with the French champions ran out in June.

According to the local press, Sergio Ramos turned down a lucrative offer from Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

“I was eager to return home. It made no sense to go anywhere else without passing through here,” said Ramos who was born on the outskirts of Seville.

In 16 seasons at the Bernabeu, Ramos won La Liga five times and the Champions League four times.

He played 180 games for Spain, scoring 23 goals, and was part of the team that won the European Championship twice (2008 and 2012) and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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

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.

Click to watch La Liga 2023-24 Live on ARY ZAP

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.

Read: ‘My legs were shaking’ at Madrid fans singing ‘Hey Jude’: Bellingham

MADRID: Jude Bellingham said his legs were left “shaking” as Real Madrid fans serenaded him with The Beatles song ‘Hey Jude’ on Saturday.

The England international hit a 95th-minute winner for Madrid against Getafe in a derby at the Santiago Bernabeu, securing a 2-1 win with his fifth La Liga goal in four games.

“It’s the loudest moment I’ve heard in a stadium, happily it was for my goal,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV.

“When they were singing ‘Hey Jude’ at the end, I got goosebumps.

“I just wanted to stand still and listen to them. My legs were shaking.

“I know I was brought in for these kind of moments, they’re the kind of moments I know I can deliver for this team.”

Madrid spent over 100 million euros ($108 million) in the summer to sign Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, and he has scored in all four matches they have played in La Liga so far this season.

“He’s out of the ordinary,” said Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz after the game.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Bellingham for his strong start to life in the Spanish capital.

“His quality isn’t surprising anybody, but the number of goals he’s got is surprising,” said Ancelotti, who deploys Bellingham behind the forwards in a No. 10 role.

“He’s very professional, and he has a lot of examples for professionalism in this squad. He is learning very quickly.”

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

The midfielder has scored five of Madrid’s eight La Liga goals this season, helping to fill the void left by Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema’s departure.

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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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Celta Vigo registered their first victory in the ongoing La Liga season as they edged past Almeria in a five-goal thriller, meanwhile, Cadiz handed Villarreal their second consecutive loss in the season.

Celta Vigo and Almeria, both entered Almeria’s home ground Power Horse Stadium, looking for their first win in the 2023-24 La Liga season as they both drew one and lost two of their previous three games.

However, the visitors gained an early advantage in the 24th minute as Unai Núñez scored off a header from very close range to the bottom left corner.

Jørgen Strand Larsen scored another goal within ten minutes to extend Celta’s lead to 2-0.

Almeria’s Largie Ramazani missed an attempt minutes before the first half, however, Sergio Akieme scored one for the home side just eight minutes into the second half.

Click to watch La Liga 2023-24 Live on ARY ZAP

Sergio Arribas then scored an equalizer in the 68th minute, thanks to Largie Ramazani’s assist.

But the visitors finally scored a late goal to finish the match at 3-2. Williot Swedberg was assisted by Manu Sánchez with a cross to score the match-winning header from very close range to the centre of the goal.

In another game, Cadiz playing at their home ground Nuevo Mirandilla dominated Villarreal after the visitors started the game on high with an early goal in the tenth minute, courtesy of Alexander Sørloth.

However, this proved to be the only success they found throughout the game as the home side made a sounding comeback and won the game 3-1.

Chris Ramos scored the equalizer in the 18th minute but was shown a yellow card for excessive celebration. Four minutes later, Alfonso Pedraza of Villarreal was sent out with a red card for violent conduct.

Cadiz was awarded a penalty in the 30th minute which Darwin Machís successfully converted to get his team the lead over the visitors. He scored another one, right after the first half to further extend his team’s lead to close the match at 3-1.

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PUENTE DE VALLECAS: Atletico Madrid ruthlessly destroyed Rayo Vallecano in their own backyard on Monday with a score of 7-0, consequently jumping to second position in the La Liga points table at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas (Estadio de Vallecas).

Both teams went to the ground without a loss in their previous two games, however, the visitors gained an early advantage as Antoine Griezmann scored in the second minute into the game courtesy of Rodrigo De Paul’s assist.

Rodrigo De Paul also attempted to score a goal of his own, but his attempt was missed.

Rayo Vallecano made two vain attempts before Atletico Madrid’s Memphis Depay extended the lead to 2-0 at the 16-minute mark.

Rodrigo De Paul made another assist in the 36th minute as Nahuel Molina scored the third goal for Atletico Madrid.

The home side made two attempts before the first half but failed to get a goal over Atletico.

The game appeared to be over at 3-0 in the first half but the visitors did not slow down, and struck the fourth goal in the 73rd minute thanks to Álvaro Morata, who came off the bench for injured Memphis Depay. The fifth goal came a mere six minutes later as Ángel Correa netted from outside the box.

Ángel Correa assisted Álvaro Morata to score another goal in the 84th minute before Marcos Llorente hit the final nail in the coffin with the seventh goal only two minutes later to hand a humiliating defeat to Rayo Vallecano.

This was the biggest-ever away win in La Liga for Atletico Madrid.

In another La Liga game, home side Getafe clinched a late victory over Alaves after a hard-fought game at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. The scores were level at the 80-minute mark and the game appeared to be drawn, however, Alaves’ Xeber Alkain was shown a yellow card, awarding a penalty to Getafe. Borja Mayoral successfully converted the penalty to close the game with a 1-0 win.

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VILLARREAL: Defending champions Barcelona came back from behind to steal the victory from home team Villarreal in a thrilling clash in the ongoing La Liga season at El Madrigal on Sunday.

The team Villarreal began the game strong, but Barcelona quickly turned the tables with two goals in just three minutes, scored by Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, putting the hosts under immense pressure early on.

Villarreal, however, pulled one back at the 25-minute mark as Juan Foyth rose highest at a corner and headed past a helpless Ter Stegen. They did not stop there and Alexander Sørloth scored an equalizer in the 39th minute to close the first half at 2-2.

Just five minutes into the second half Villarreal’s Alex Baena stunned Barcelona with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box to give the home side an advantage over the defending champions.

Barcelona’s 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal hit a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to equalize but it hit the bar to deny a lead to the Catalans.

However, Ferran Torres, who came off the bench to replace Oriol Romeu, scored an equalizer for Barcelona in the 68th minute. Meanwhile, they went ahead of Villarreal in the 71^st minute as Polish striker Robert Lewandowski finally got his name on the scoresheet with the winning goal, after failing to net the ball in the previous two matches against Getafe and Cadiz.

Barcelona’s Ansu Fati made two attempts in the last few minutes, however, the hosts denied any other goal to finish the game at a deficit of one goal.

In another La Liga fixture played at San Mames, home side Atheltic Club thumped Real Betis 4-2 to register their second consecutive victory in the season.

The visitors started the game tremendously with Willian José scoring at the two-minute mark into the game. They doubled the lead with a goal eight minutes later as Aitor Ruibal assisted Isco to lead by 2-0.

However, Nico Williams’ foul allowed a penalty to the home side, and Mikel Vesga converted the penalty to reduce the difference for Athletic Club. Mikel Vesga scored off another penalty to level the scores.

Just before the final whistle for the first half, Gorka Guruzeta netted the ball to give the lead to the home side.

Real Betis made several attempts in the second half but Athletic Club did not allow them to get past and dominated the game, and scored another goal in the 84^th minute to close the match at 4-2.

Meanwhile, Osasuna defeated Valencia (2-1) at their home ground Mestalla Stadium to deny them second spot in the La Liga points table.

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