Tag: La Liga

MADRID: Alvaro Morata and Jao Felix struck in Atletico Madrid’s dominant 2-0 victory over Elche in their side’s first LaLiga fixture after the World Cup.

With a dominant victory in their first match on return, Atletico moved up to the third spot behind leader Barcelona and second-placed Real Madrid.

The home side started the match with an aggressive approach as it looked to push the ball up the pitch quickly and into wide areas.

Despite pushing the rock-bottom Elche desperately in the first half, Diego Simeone’s side remained unable to fire the opener.

Elche endured a major setback on the stroke of half-time when Gonzalo Verdu received a red card for pulling Morata down just outside the box.

Madrid’s domination in terms of men, however, did not last for long as in the 50th minute Mario Hermoso was given a second yellow card in the space of two minutes.

Simeone’s side, however, did not bother being a man down as just six minutes later they had their breakthrough when Antoine Griezmann intelligently clipped it back across the goal for Felix to head home.

Morata then made it 2-0 for Atletico in the 74th minute as his effort took a fortunate deflection and looped up and into the back of the net.

Following the victory, the Madrid-based side moved just eight points behind the leader Barcelona.

Meanwhile, in another LaLiga fixture, Samuel Saiz’s 75th-minute penalty propelled Girona to hang on for a 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano, while Real Betis and Athletic Club’s match ended in a goalless draw.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and are simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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MADRID: Real Madrid suffered their first loss of the season on Monday night as Rayo Vallecano stunned the reigning champions 3-2 in LaLiga.

Following the upset defeat, the La Liga champions failed to reclaim the top spot from Barcelona in the standings after two successive games without a win.

The first half witnessed an intense exchange of goals between the two sides before Oscar Trejo netted a second-half penalty to give Rayo Vallecano an astonishing win at the Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid.

The hosts took the lead five minutes into the game when midfielder Santiago Comesana volleyed the ball from inside the box, but Real immediately bounced back and surged ahead with two goals in four minutes.

Luka Modric hit the first one in the 37th minute from the penalty spot for Madrid after Marco Asensio was fouled inside the area, and then Eder Militao put the visitors in front with a lovely header.

Rayo forward Alvaro Garcia, however, managed to claw in the equalizer just before half-time.

Rayo were then awarded a penalty in the 67th minute after a handball by the defender Dani Carvajal on the edge of the area. Thibaut Courtois blocked Trejo’s first effort, but the kick had to be retaken because the goalkeeper left his line too early. The Spaniard did not fail in his second attempt and took his side home.

“I wasn’t surprised because we all know how they play, they were better and more precise than us today and it’s a well deserved win for them,” said Real manager Ancelotti after the match.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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MADRID: Joao Felix came off the bench to save a point for Atletico Madrid against 10-man Espanyol in a 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano on Sunday.

The home side had a chance to cut their deficit to six points on Real Madrid, which will take on Rayo Vallecano today, but eventually finished in third with 10 points behind table-topper Barcelona.

The game had begun with some jeers from the crowd following Atletico’s exit from the Champions League, and the mood did not ameliorate as the side struggled to take down the visitors.

Leandro Cabrera’s send-off in the first half appeared to be a perfect set-up for the hosts, yet they fell behind despite having an extra man after Sergio Darder volleyed past Jan Oblak in the 62nd minute.

Joao Felix arrived to score the equalizer with a little over 10 minutes remaining, but a draw still proved to be a disappointing outcome for Atletico’s coach Diego Simeone in the circumstances.

Meanwhile, in the second fixture on Sunday, Samuel Lino denied Real Sociedad a home win as Valencia finished in a 1-1 draw at Anoeta Stadium.

Mallorca, on the other hand, sealed a sensational 2-0 win over Villareal thanks to the superb strikes by Vedat Muriqi and Amath.

Whereas, at Estadio Benito Villamarín, visitors Sevilla held off Real Betis with a late equalizer by Nemanja Gudelj after the home side was down to nine-man.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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BARCELONA: Barcelona legend Gerard Pique bid an emotional farewell in front of the biggest crowd of the season at Camp Nou on Sunday following a dominant 2-0 win by Catalans over Almeria which took them two points clear of Real Madrid at the top LaLiga  

Pique received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was substituted in the 84th minute and broke into tears as he fervently hugged his teammates, coach Xavi and the entire Barca bench.

After the final whistle, he was lifted into the air by his companions and performed a lap of honour, blowing kisses to the crowd and waving as they chanted his name.

The 35-year-old defender broke into tears midway through his farewell speech after the game, saying:  “I was born here and I will die here.”

“Sometimes you have to leave behind the things you love. The relationship between Barcelona and me has been so loving and so passionate, I thought that maybe we needed a little bit of space. I’m sure that I’ll be back here again in the future” he said.

The retiring player was paid several tributes on his farewell night in the home game as he was named captain of the team and entered the pitch with his two sons.

Pique called time on his stellar career after appearing in 616 games across 15 seasons and won 30 trophies for the Catalan giants

Barcelona were awarded an early penalty and the fans started to chant his name to take it but the Spaniard offered it to Robert Lewandowski, who missed the opportunity and hit the post.

Meanwhile, in another matchday 13 fixture on Saturday, Osasuna held off home team Celta Vigo 2-1 with a brilliant first-half brace from Ezequiel Lavezzi.

At Estadio Jose Zorrilla, home team Valladolid edged past bottom-placed Elche 2-1 thanks to the brilliant strikes by Javi Sanchez and Roque Mesa.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Gerard Pique announced his retirement on Thursday after a decorated career, saying “the moment has come to end this journey”.

“Saturday’s match (against Almeria) will be my last at the Camp Nou,” the 35-year-old posted on Twitter.

The veteran defender bows out with four Champions League titles and the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain.

“I wanted to tell you that I’ve decided the moment has come to end this journey,” he said in a video clip of the star watching images of himself as a small boy wearing the Barcelona shirt, or chasing after autographs.

“There’s no other team after Barca,” he added.

“I’m going to become a super fan, I’ll be supporting the team and pass on my love for Barca to my son.”

“And sooner or later, I’ll be back,” he concluded.

Arriving at the Camp Nou aged 10 Pique left his home city for Manchester United’s academy in 2004, winning a first Champions League trophy under then manager Alex Ferguson in 2008.

He then returned to Catalonia, helping Barca to eight La Liga crowns, seven Copas del Rey and three Champions League titles in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

Pique takes his leave with Barca knocked out of the Champions League for the second season running.

A sporting icon in Spain he had celebrity status too as partner to Colombian singer Shakira.

They met during the filming of the video of Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem Waka Waka.

Shakira sang the official song before the 2010 World Cup closing ceremony in South Africa, with Pique’s Spain defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium.

The couple, who announced their separation in June, have two children.

Pique has mixed playing with a burgeoning business career, founding the sports events company Kosmos which was behind the revamp of tennis’ Davis Cup.

Kosmos and Pique courted controversy at payment they received for helping arrange the Spanish Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia.

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MADRID: LaLiga President Javier Tebas has expressed his wish to see Lionel Messi back to Barcelona as he took a dig at Ligue 1, claiming that the Argentinian superstar is not getting the same exposure at Paris Saint Germain that he used to get at Barcelona. 

Speaking in an interview with the Argentine publication Ole, Tebas said that the former Barcelona star was not only missed by his previous club but the whole football world was feeling his absence from the forefront.

After spending his entire career at Camp Nou, the 35-year-old left Barca last year as the club was unable to renew his contract due to financial constraints.

Messi joined PSG following his departure from the Spanish League, signing a two-year contract, which will terminate at the end of the ongoing campaign.

With Argentina’s captain poised to become a free agent this summer, a possible return to Barcelona has been hotly discussed. Tebas, however, did not shy away from admitting that he wanted to see Messi return to Spanish football.

“I hope he comes back. Above all, it would also be good for him to return to Spanish football, especially to the team that saw him born.” he expressed during the Ole Sports Summit. 

Meanwhile, La Liga president took a swipe at PSG and Ligue 1, asserting that the number of fans tuning in to watch Messi play in the French top league is considerably lower than what it used to be when he was at Barcelona.

“I think that Messi is not only missed in La Liga, but he is also missed in football, because the French league is what it is, right?” he said. “I think that no matter how much he is at PSG, he is followed much less than when he was at Futbol Club Barcelona.”

“Therefore, football misses Lionel Messi and we hope he has a great World Cup, because there we will all be able to see him again. I don’t see all the fans watching PSG against Nantes, I don’t see it. With Barça, within a league, I did see him much more often,” he added.

Furthermore, Tebas claimed that Messi’s decision to part ways with Barcelona was a misstep. He said, “I think it was a mistake even for him, in my opinion, to break that marriage, that alliance since he was born in football, because it would have helped him a lot with continuity, like the Messi-Barca brand, which is very important for a player.”

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BARCELONA: Ousmane Dembele shone with an opener and three assists as Barcelona outclassed Athletic Club 4-0 in a home game on Sunday to stay three points behind table leaders Real Madrid in LaLiga.

Barcelona retains the second position with 28 points while Madrid tops the standing with 31 points after they beat Sevilla 3-1 on Saturday.

Barcelona dominated the visiting side right from the start as they netted the ball thrice in 10 minutes in the first half, starting with Dembele’s header in the 12th minute after Lewandoski’s assist.

Dembele then went on to assist Sergi Roberto who doubled the lead in the 18th minute before France forward put a brilliant cross to Lewandowski who made a powerful shot to make it 3-0 four minutes later. Dembele set up a late fourth as Ferran Torres also joined the action.

Meanwhile, in another matchday 11 fixture on Sunday, Villareal edged past Almeria 2-1 thanks to a late strike by Nicolas Jackson.

Antonio Griezmann, however, scored a brace to put Atletico Madrid 2-1 up against home side Real Betis.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski put in yet another sensational performance to take Barcelona back on the winning track in LaLiga after El Clasico loss on Sunday as they cruised past Villareal 3-0, here at Camp Nou on Thursday.

With the resounding win, second-placed Barcelona are now three points behind table-topers Real Madrid who defeated Elche on Wednesday and surged to 28 points.

Barcelona scored thrice in seven minutes to outclass opponents in the first half as Lewandowski scored a brace before Ansu Fati added another goal.

The Poland striker hit home from inside the area for the first time in the 31st minute and doubled the lead four minutes later with a precise curling shot from the edge of the box.

Fati increased the lead three minutes later with a close-range shot which hit the goal post first.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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ELCHE: Reigning Champions Real Madrid sealed a comfortable 3-0 win against the bottom side Elche on Wednesday to extend their lead at the top of the LaLiga table.

With the win, Madrid maintained their unbeaten streak of the current season and went six points clear of second-placed Barcelona who will be facing Villareal in an away game on Thursday.

Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored a goal each as coach Carlo Ancelotti decided not to rest his key players against the easy target following a stunning 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona in the El Clasico on Sunday.

Valverde opened the scoring for Madrid, who had three goals ruled out by VAR for offside, as he hit a brilliant technical goal from the edge of the area.

Ballon d’Or winner Benzema, whose strikes had been disallowed twice, finally managed to etch his name on the scorecard in the 75th minute after a magnificent back-heel pass from Rodrgygo, who also assisted Substitute Asensio for the third goal.

The action-filled matches of LaLiga 2022-23 are being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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BILBAO: Antoine Griezmann scored the winner as Atletico Madrid edged past home side Athletic Club 1-0 to jump into the top three of the LaLiga table on Saturday.

Athletic failed to continue their undefeated streak, recording two wins and a draw, in the last three games against Atletico Madrid.

Griezmann scored the match’s lone goal early in the second half after a brilliant cross from Morata to take his side home.

Meanwhile, in another thrilling game on Saturday, Elche came from behind to deny Valencia a home win as Pere Mille scored a brace to finish on a 2-2 draw.

Edinson Cavani scored twice within ten minutes to put Valencia 2-1 up before the second half. Mille, however, netted the equalizer in the 67th minute after a penalty in the first half.

At San Moix, Nemanja Gudelj struck in the 53rd minute to help Sevilla seal a close 1-0 win over Mallorca as the two teams engaged in a tough contest.

Chrithian Stuani scored late into the stoppage time to help Girona escape a home defeat over Cadiz in another matchday nine fixture on Saturday.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.