Tag: LaLiga 2022-23

MADRID: Antoine Griezmann put up a stellar performance to take Atletico Madrid back on the winning track as they claimed a commanding 3-0 win over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Saturday. 

Griezamann, Alvaro Morata and Mario Hermoso scored first-half goals to earn points for Atletico just for the second time in their last seven league matches.

With a fifth straight defeat, Vallodolid, however, entered the unwanted relegation zone as they slipped to the 18th place after Sevilla went one point ahead of them following a 1-0 victory over Cadiz.

Atletico, on the other hand, jumps to the fourth and are 10 points behind table-toppers Barcelona, who still have two games in hand.

At Metropolitano, the home side took the commanding position early on, striking all three of their goals in a 10-minute span.

Griezmann set up the opener with a flick for Morata to score in the 18th minute, before getting on the scoresheet himself with a brilliantly executed backheel goal.

The Frenchman played a part in the third goal as well, finding Hermoso with a free-kick. Hermoso’s 28th-minute header was blocked by Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip but the rebound landed back at his feet and the Atletico defender found the net.

Earlier, Espanyol beat Real Betis 1-0 thanks to the decider scored by Martin Braithwaite in the 43rd minute.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad earned a dominant 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano with a strike each from Alexander Sorioth and Ander Barrenetxea.

READ: Plooy propels Super Kings to thrilling win over Sunrisers in SA20

ALMERIA: In another disappointing outcome, Atletico Madrid dropped two more points on Sunday after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Almeria in LaLiga on Sunday.

Angel Correa gave Diego Simeone’s team an early lead in the 18th minute before Almeria found an equalizer through El Bilal Toure in the 37th minute.

With an effort ruled for offside in the first half and brilliant saves by Almeria goalkeeper Fernando Martinez to deny Alvaro Morata and Correa in the second half kept Atletico at bay.

The visiting side’s frustration grew further in the dying minutes when Sergio Regulation was sent off for two yellow cards, 20 minutes after he took the pitch as a substitute.

Atletico, who have won only one of their last six La Liga games that too against bottom-placed Elche, are fourth in the standings, level at 28 points with Villarreal and Real Betis.

They are 13 points behind table leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

Earlier Espanyol beat Getafe 2-1, with striker Javi Puado scoring the winner in the second half.

In the sixth minute, Joselu lobbed David Soria to give Espanyol the lead, but Enes Unal quickly tied the score with a spectacular effort of his own from a wide-left position.

Puado, however, earned points for his side with a solo dribble and excellent finish in the 62nd minute, helping Espanyol jump ahead of opponent Getafe in the table on the 14th.

READ: De Kock, Klaasen’s onslaught help Super Giants beat Royals in SA20

BILBAO: Osasuna held Athletic Club in a nil-nil draw at home to deny them a Champions League stand after failing to move Real Betis from fourth place in LaLiga table.

In the last game of matchday 16 on Monday, Athletic Club and Osasuna tied without goals at Nuevo San Mames.

Despite numerous chances, none of the teams was able to pierce into the rival’s defence after a 90-minute of high-paced action.

Athletic Club’s Nico Williams failed to capitalize on two very clear opportunities in the closing minutes, leaving Osasuna happy with their first point after two successive defeats.

Osasuna lost to Barcelona 2-1 and Real Sociedad by 2-0 in their last two encounters.

With the draw, the visiting side jumped a spot to the eighth position with 24 points.

Meanwhile, Barcelona has a three-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the standings. Real Sociedad is third, nine points behind the Catalan giants after 16 matches.

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.

READ: France captain Lloris retires from international football

MADRID: Ousmane Dembele scored the winner to take Barcelona three points clear at the top of LaLiga after defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in a tense game on Sunday.

Xavi Hernandez’s side went out to make a statement victory at Metropolitano following reigning champions Real Madrid’s shock 2-1 defeat against Villareal on Saturday.

The visitors started on high as Dembele earned the lead the in the 22nd minute with a side-foot finish off Gavi’s assist.

Atletico built up the pressure from then onwards but could not find an equalizer till the last as Antoine Griezmann’s effort was cleared off the line by Ronald Araujo in the added time.

The match ended with an ill-tempered affair between Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic with both getting red cards for the scuffle.

Barcelona solidified its position at the top with 41 points, three points ahead of second-placed Madrid after last night’s win.

Earlier David Silva produced a stellar to aid third-place Real Sociedad thump Almeria 2-0, while Real Betis climbed to fourth following a thrilling 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano.

Meanwhile, beleaguered Sevilla claimed their first league win since October 15, lifting them out of the relegation zone with a late 2-1 victory over Getafe at home.

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.

READ: Bracewell replaces injured Henry in New Zealand squad for Pakistan ODIs

VILLAREAL: Real Madrid missed a chance to go back to the top of the La Liga table after a shocking 1-2 defeat against Villareal on Saturday. 

The defending champions suffered their second loss of the season after an assist and goal from Villareal striker Gerard Moreno at El Madrigal, keeping table toppers Barcelona ahead in the title race.

The hosts opened the scoring through Yeremy Pino just after the break but a dubious handball call allowed Real Madrid to level in the 60th minute with Karim Benzema hitting the penalty,

But, the lead was restored quickly after David Alba handled Juan Foyth in the penalty area and Moreno fired home from the spot to secure points for Villareal, who climbs up to fifth after winning their third consecutive league game.

Madrid remain second, tie on 38 points with Barcelona who visit fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Despite an unwanted result, Benzema became the joint sixth all-time goal scorer’s in the top Spanish League as he levelled Real legend Alfredo di Stefano’s 227 La Liga goals.

In another Saturday fixture, Mallorca sealed a thrilling 1-0 win over Valladolid, thanks to Abdon Prats’s late decider in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Girona held Espanyol, who denies Barcelona victory last week in the Catalan derby, to a 2-2 draw after a tense game at RCDE stadium.

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.

READ: South Africa hold out for rare draw to deny Australia series sweep

BARCELONA: Marcos Alonso went from hero to zero as Espanyol held toppers Barcelona to a 1-1 draw on Saturday yet the Catalan giants still claimed the top spot on goal difference.

Referee Antonio Matue Lahoz, however, took the centre stage he handed out fifteen yellow cards and two red cards in the game at Camp Nou.

After Alonso gave Barcelona an early lead Lahoz sprang into action and before the break, he booked four players besides awarding Espanyol a penalty in the second half, which Joselu converted to equalize for his side.

Jordi Alba was laid off in the final half after getting two yellow cards inside four minutes for his protests to Mateu Lahoz and two minutes later Esoanyol’s Vinicius Souza was also brandished a red card by the Spanish referee.

In minute 81, he awarded Souza’s team-mate, Leandro Cabrera, a red card after adjudging that the defender had deliberately hit a boot on Robert Lewandowski’s head but a VAR review forced him to change the decision.

While Xavi’s men were clearly unhappy with the chaotic referring decisions, Lahoz, however, used his card once more, booking Barca’s manager and Raphinha, for protesting his decisions.

Meanwhile, in another Saturday fixture, Real Sociedad sank visitors Osasuna 2-0, thanks to Brais Mendez and Alexander Sorioth’s goals in each half.

Villareal, however, edged past Valencia 2-1 with help of a late decider by Juan Foyth in the last fixture of the day.

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.

READ: No more flat surface, bouncy pitch prepared to help pacers in second Test

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.

READ: ‘You’re about to see something very special from Babar’ says Hayden

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.

READ: T20 WC: Pakistan edge Bangladesh to get surprise semifinal entry

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.

READ: T20 WC: Pakistan team departs for Perth ahead of Zimbabwe clash

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.

READ: T20 WC: Rizwan’s quickfire 43* takes UAE to 148/3 against Namibia