BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi scored one penalty and missed another as Barcelona beat Real Valladolid 1-0 on Saturday (Feb 16) to open up a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga.
The Catalans played far below their vibrant best but were not troubled by the visitors at the Nou Camp as they ended a run of three consecutive draws in all competitions.
Ousmane Dembele was handed his first start after injury, and loan signing Kevin-Prince Boateng featured for only the second time since joining in January as Ernesto Valverde rested Luis Suarez ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash at Olympique Lyonnais.
Barcelona struggled to create chances against a tight Valladolid defence, only breaking the deadlock when Messi converted a penalty won by Gerard Pique just before halftime for his 22nd league goal of the season.
Messi almost scored his second early in the second half but former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip pulled off a breathtaking stop to deny La Liga's top scorer from close range.
The Argentine had another chance from the penalty spot in the final stages after substitute Philippe Coutinho was fouled but Masip made another impressive save to deny him.
Martial and Lingard both limped off during the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday and are set to miss the FA Cup fifth round tie with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday and the Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford six days later. Editor's Picks. Summer of Soccer: Your guide on what to watch
Manchester United's Martial Lingard to miss Chelsea Liverpool
Ralph Hasenhuttl: Southampton task more difficult than taking RB Leipzig to second in Bundesliga Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth
Wayne Rooney was on target as DC United brought a run of two consecutive defeats to an end with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids. Rooney latched onto a throughball from Luciano Acosta to beat Tim Howard and score his first MLS goal and it looked like that might be enough for victory until Kellyn Acosta, who earlier missed a penalty, levelled.
Wayne Rooney scores clever free-kick winner as DC United edge
It's not hard to see why Pochettino — and Spurs fans — will miss him when he sets off for the AFC Asian Cup with South Korea. In fact, here is a collection of stats as a reminder of Son's quality. Check them out below.
Pochettino reveals whether appeal of Son's red card was
Football: Liverpool's miracle comeback trumps Spurs', say fans in Singapore - The Straits Times; SPH Chinese Media Group presents crosstalk production It Could Have Been____! Malaysia criticised for failures on rights reforms; Singapore 'playing for time' in water dispute with Malaysia: Daim Zainuddin - AsiaOne
WTA Finals: Karolina Pliskova beats Venus Williams in
China strips South Korea of football trophy for disrespecting Panda Cup. China lodged a complaint upon South Korean footballers disrespecting their Panda Cup trophy by posing for a photo with a foot on trophy. S. Korean players asked for forgiveness but the apology was of no avail and players had to let go of trophy.
Football: Wayne Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in D.C. romp
Gianni Infantino was re-elected as president of the football governing body FIFA for a four-year term until 2023. The 49-year-old Swiss national was elected by acclamation as the sole candidate at
WRAPUP 2-Soccer-Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up. * First defeat for Spurs in their new stadium Southampton guaranteed their survival with a thrilling 3-3 home
Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up
MAURIZIO SARRI apologised to angry Chelsea fans who confronted him after the humiliation at Bournemouth. The Italian tactician locked his Blues stars in the dressing room for clear-the-air talks
Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea boss says sorry after Man City rout
REUTERS: Liverpool will be without forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino when they face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final as they look to overturn a 3-0 deficit
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino ruled out of
0 comments:
Post a Comment