FC BARCELONA | LIONEL MESSI 2011 | ALL HAIL THE KING

The Football World has rendered itself to the feet of FC BARCELONA Argentine forward LIONEL MESSI. Spanish Football press & media have dedicated covers & pages to the player as he once again put in a brilliant performance & goal to help FC Barcelona win 3 - 1 Manchester United in the Champions League Final.

The "magician" yesterday placed himself in the Olympus of the Football Gods: Di Stefano, Pele, Cruyff & Maradona, leaving his stamp without any doubt that he is the "Best Player in World Football" & heading towards the "ALL-TIME" status. The man is only 23 years of age & none of the above mentioned "Football Gods" had so many titles as Messi has at his age. The only title missing that would put LIONEL MESSI in the solitary position of the "Greatest ever Football Player in History" would be a World Cup Championship title with Argentina, & that is a real possiblity  in the next coming 12 years. 

LIONEL MESSI with the Champions League 2011 Trophy

Here is the impressive list of Club, Team & Individual Titles that LIONEL MESSI has already with only 23 years of age: 


FC Barcelona
Spanish Football League - La Liga: 5
2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
Copa del Rey - Spanish Cup: 1
2008–09
Supercopa Spain : 4
2005, 2006, 2009, 2010
UEFA Champions League: 3
2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11
UEFA Super Cup: 1
2009
FIFA Club World Cup: 1
2009


Argentina
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1
2005
Olympic Gold Medal: 1
2008


Individual
FIFA Ballon d'Or: 1
2010
Ballon d'Or: 1
2009
FIFA World Player of the Year: 1
2009
FIFA Team of the Year: 3
2008, 2009, 2010
U-21 European Footballer of the Year: 1
2007
Spanish Football League - La Liga Player of the Year: 2
2009, 2010
Spanish Football League - La Liga top goalscorer: 1
2010
Copa del Rey - Spanish Cup top goalscorer: 1
2011
Spanish Football League - La Liga Foreign Player of the Year: 3
2007, 2009, 2010
Spanish Football League - La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year: 3
2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
European Golden Shoe: 1
2010
UEFA Champions League top goalscorer: 3
2009, 2010, 2011
UEFA Champions League Player of the Year: 1
2009
UEFA Champions League Forward of the Year: 1
2009
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match: 1
2011
UEFA Champions League Final Fans' Man of the Match: 1
2009
UEFA Team of the Year: 3
2008, 2009, 2010
Footballer of the Year of Argentina: 5
2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

But there is more:

FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2
2009, 2010
FIFPro World Young Player of the Year: 3
2006, 2007, 2008
FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: 2
2007, 2008
FIFPro World XI: 4
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament: 1
2005
FIFA U-20 World Cup top goalscorer: 1
2005
Copa América Young Player of the Tournament: 1
2007
World Soccer Player of the Year: 1
2009
World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 3
2006, 2007, 2008
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 1
2009
ESM Team of the Year: 4
2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
Marca Leyenda: 1
2009
Tuttosport Golden Boy: 1
2005
UEFA best goal of the year: 1
2007

Lionel Messi : courtesy of Reuters

The above list will without any doubt get longer & longer in the coming years. 

"ALL HAIL THE KING"!

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SPANISH LEAGUE FOOTBALL ROUND 37 GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE action tonight with all 10 games of Round 37 played simultaneously as Clubs at the bottom end of the ladder are playing their future attempting to avoid the "last ticket" to the 2º Division, & others are attempting to grab the Euro train in the top end of the classification table. Highly charged LIGA with fierce competition & goals. Here is a brief summary of events, results & scorers.

Spanish League Top Goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo

VILLAREAL lost 1 - 3 to REAL MADRID. The big news was the two goals from free-kicks that Real Madrid forward CRISTIANO RONALDO scored to take his personal goal tally this season in the LIGA to 38 goals. This figure secures him the Top Goal scorer for season 2010-2011 of the Spanish League - "El Pichichi" - & virtually (still not official) the European Top Scorer Golden Shoe (Boot) Award. Added to this the 38 goal figure equals the Spanish Football Historical mark shared with Legends Telmo Zarra (At Bilbao) & Hugo Sanchez ( Real Madrid ), a mark which Ronaldo could overtake in next weeks final Round of La Liga.

Back to the game, Real Madrid dominanted the first half with goals from MARCELO in 17th min & RONALDO in the 22nd min. VIllareal dominated the second half with a goal from CANI in the 49th min & were unlucky not to have equalized. CRISTIANO RONALDO scored the third for the team & his second in the 90th min.

Dominguez scores for Atletico de Madrid 

ATLETICO DE MADRID managed a hard fought 2 -1 victory over already relegated Club HERCULES. Atletico de Madrid played its last game at home this season & Coach Flores left Diego Forlan in the stands as both will not be continuing next season at the Club. The win tonight still leaves Atletico marginally out of the Euro places & will need a victory in the last Round to see what happens.

DOMINGUEZ put Atletico ahead early with his 1st min goal, to see later Atletico goalkeeper De Gea save a penalty from TREZEGUET in the 29th min. However the Hercules forward made up for his mistake equalizing in the 66th min,  to later see REYES score the winner for Atletico in the 71st min.

Sevilla FC secures a Euro place

SEVILLA FC defeated REAL SOCIEDAD 3 - 1 to virtually grab a Euro ticket & put the latter into relegation danger awaiting the last round. The goals came from KANOUTE who scored twice in the 53rd & 60th min with superb headers & team-mate NEGREDO in the 85th min. The goal for Real Sociedad came thanks to AGIRRETXU in the 72nd min. 

Must win situation for Real Sociedad next week.

Getafe breathe with win

GETAFE won OSASUNA 2 - 0 to momentarily get out of the last relegation position & play for their Spanish League future next week. In fact,  both Clubs will be playing for their Liga future in the last Round. The first goal for Getafe was an own goal by Osasuna player FLAÑO & the second came via PEDRO RIOS in the 92nd min.

None are safe!

Deportivo grab a point from Barça

FC BARCELONA with a B side & the Spanish League title celebrations hangover still apparent drew 0 - 0 with DEPORTIVO A CORUÑA. A valuable point for Depor but that does not secure them from disappearing from the Spanish League if they don't get a positive result in the final Round next week.

Athletic de Bilbao holding onto Europe

ATHLETIC DE BILBAO drew with a 10 men down MALAGA 1 - 1 as Bilbao clinches onto its Euro classification position. RECIO put Malaga ahead in the 41st min, but lost defender Demichelis to a second yellow in the 51st min that gave Bilbao ground advantage. Bilboa managed to equalize via a penalty in the 52nd that DAVID LOPEZ converted.

Sporting Gijon saved

REAL SPORTING DE GIJON won 2 -1 RACING DE SANTANDER to secure another year in the Spanish Football League. In fact, both are safe & played a "fluid" match with Racing goalie Mario saving everything & deserves a mention. CHRISTIAN got Racing ahead first in the 31st min , that was followed by Sporting goals in the 44th min via DE LA CUEVAS & the winner via NACHO NOVO in the 51st min.

UCHE scores for Almeria

Relegated Club ALMERIA won 3 - 1 MALLORCA to grab some lost pride. UCHE scored in the 5th min, followed by team-mates ORTIZ in the 14th min & PIATTI in the 31st min. For Mallorca WEBO managed a consolation goal. 


REAL ZARAGOZA won 1 - 0 RCD ESPANYOL which saw paradoxically the home team slip into the last remaining relegation position (Getafe won) & the visitors miss their Euro ticket. The winner came thanks to PONZIO in the 54th min.

Real Zaragoza plays a "do or die" match in the last Round. A must win situation or leave La Liga.

Levante down to 10 men

LEVENTE visited VALENCIA CF & was down to 10 men in the 22nd min when Xisco was set off. Even this did not give a positive result as the match ended in a 0 - 0 draw. Valencia has assured third place & Levante its future next season in the 1º Division. Tweet

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LA LIGA SPANISH FOOTBALL ROUND 36 TUESDAY NIGHT GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE action tonight with four matches of Round 36 with relegation zone teams in full battle to stay alive next season in LA LIGA, disappointments, nerves , joys & goals. Here is a summary of tonights games, the results & the scorers.

Cristiano Ronaldo adds more goals

REAL MADRID defeated GETAFE 4 - 0 & delays the Spanish League title celebrations for FC Barcelona which plays tomorrow & only needs a point to mathematically claim the prize. The Real Madrid win puts Getafe in a very serious & difficult situation as they are looking at the "barrel of the gun" of the 2º Division.

The other note is the "tunnel vision" of CRISTIANO RONALDO in attempting to distance himself from "rival" Lionel Messi in winning this seasons Top Spanish League Goal scorer for season 2010-2011 - "El Pichichi" - & the historical record of 38 goals set by Telmo Zarra ( At Bilbao 1950 - 51) & Hugo Sanchez ( Real Madrid 1989-90).

Tonight Cristiano Ronaldo scored another HAT - TRICK with goals in the 23rd, 57th & 90th(penalty) min taking his tally to 37, or 36,  goals depending on the source. UEFA in their "European Golden Shoe (Boot) table has 36 goals as official.  The other goal scored tonight for Real Madrid was by KARIM BENZEMA in the 76th min after just coming on as a substitute. 

Racing stays in the Spanish League

RACING DE SANTANDER came back to win ATLETICO DE MADRID 2 - 1 & mathematically assure their place next season in LA LIGA. For Atletico it is a disaster as their attempts to grab the available Europa League classification spot gets further away each game.

Atletico de Madrid got ahead first via MARIO SUAREZ in the 10th min, but as all season Atletico losses concentration & Racing got back via KENNEDY in the 37th min & the saving goal via ROSENBERG in the 47th min. 

Veteran Valderon the saviour for Depor tonight

DEPORTIVO A CORUÑA managed a similiar story against ATHLETIC DE BILBAO winning 2 - 1 & gaining three golden points that momentarily takes them out of the danger zone to breathe & fight again next Round. Bilbao got ahead in the 3rd min via TOQUERO & in the 22nd min Bilbao defender GURPEGUI scored an own goal that lifted Deportivo. But it was another own goal via CASTILLO that brought the stadium down with local joy. Lastly, just a mention that veteran Depor player VALDERON was fundamental in his teams comeback. 

Malaga FC player Baptista "The Beast"

Amazing fifth straight victory by MALAGA 2 - 0 over SPORTING DE GIJON to shake off their delicate situation of last month. JULIO "The Beast" BAPTISTA is the reason for the extraordinary recovery of Malaga & again scoring in the 9th min to set the course of his side. Team-mate ELISEU then scored the second in the 67th min. What a change & at the right time of the season!


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SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND 35 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS | FC BARCELONA CLOSER TO SPANISH LEAGUE TITLE

SPANISH FOOTBALL action with the last three games of Round 35 of the Spanish League. The main news is the victory by FC BARCELONA which puts them just one point away from mathematically claiming LA LIGA 2010-2011 title. A feat that will most likely occur in the next Round with the accompanying celebrations by Barça. Until then, lets review today's matches with results & the scorers.

Andres Iniesta FC Barcelona 2011

FC BARCELONA defeated comfortably local city rival RCD ESPANYOL 2 - 0 to take them even more closer in claiming the SPANISH LEAGUE Title which will happen in the next round just needing to a drawn result against Levante (or Real Madrid losing).

Barça was the far more superior team & opened proceeding with a goal from ANDRES INIESTA in the 29th min. 

Gerard Pique FC Barcelona 2011

FC Barcelona defender GERARD PIQUE latter got into the action with his header that brought up his teams second in the 48th min, to practically seal things. The only player of mention that was a constant danger for the home team was Espanyol forward Osvaldo who was a menace upfront & for Valdes.

Lionel Messi did not score tonight, so Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo has a "golden chance" to open the existing gap in their particualr race for the Spanish League "Leadiing Goal scorer Title". 

Real Mallorca - Villareal

REAL MALLORCA & VILLAREAL played at the unusual time of 12.00 midday for a very boring 0 - 0 draw.

The new time slot is not habitual, but the Spanish Football League Authority ( LFP) will next season play their games earlier to allow the matches to be broadcast "prime time" in China & Japan ( the Asian market). This practice was put forward by the English Premier League as a way to expand the "brand" into Asia, something the big Spanish Clubs like Real Madrid & FC Barcelona has pressured to do the same in their attempts to open market.

Sergio for Osasuna

Both REAL ZARAGOZA & OSASUNA are in relegation danger & played a game that was tense & highly charged with the latter managing to win 1 - 3 & get the three points which lifts Osasuna momentarily out of danger. Real Zaragoza are just one place out of the "danger zone", sharing points with Deportivo who have less goals.

Zaragoza started the match well & was looking good with LAFITA scoring in the 14th min. But Osasuna slowly grind down Zaragoza & the second half was all theirs as Zaragoza "crumbled" to the goals from CAMUÑAS in the 62nd min, SERGIO in the 69th min & KIKA SOLA in the 80th min. Osasuna breathe, while Zaragoza feels the water on the throat.

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FC BARCELONA WINS SPANISH JUVENIL CUP AGAINST REAL MADRID

FC BARCELONA won the SPANISH JUVENIL CUP 3 - 1 against REAL MADRID with RAFINHA being the star. The team Coached by ex-FC Barcelona player Oscar Garcia surprised Real Madrid very early with two rapid goals that shook the "whites" psychologically & a blow from which they were never able to recover.

FC Barcelona Juvenil member Rafinha

The goals came in the 8th min via RAFINHA ( brother of Barça player Tiago & son of ex-Brazilian International Mouzinho)  & again via the same player in the 24th min. His team-mate ERNESTO scored the third in the 62 min, with Real Madrid managing a consolation goal in the last moment of the 91st min thanks to SOL


Another title in the bag for Barça.

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JOSEP GUARDIOLA TO LEAVE FC BARCELONA | THE GENERAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY BY ALBERT EINSTEIN

I have received an also “alarmed” email from a Spanish Football Sports reader asking if it is true that FC BARCELONA Coach Josep Guardiola will leave at the end of 2012. The question arises after it has been “splashed” all over the World Sports media some words that Guardiola mentioned in a TV Interview to Italian channel “RAI” whist in Italy visiting his ex-Club Brescia.

FC Barcelona Coach Josep Guardiola 

These are the now “famous” words":


"Creo que mi etapa en el Barça se está acabando".
"Me quedaré este año, éste será el cuarto, y un entrenador tiene que saber el momento de marcharse. Los jugadores se cansan de los entrenadores y viceversa.


Translated:
• “I feel my time at Barça is coming to en end”.
• ”I will stay this year, it will be my fourth & a Coach has to know the moment when to leave. The players get tired of the Coaches & vice-versa”.


Some have said it was a “April fools” stunt, others ask that we watch & listen to the whole interview & put it in its correct overall context which becomes "watered down".


Either way here is my reply for other readers who may have the some questions in mind as our dear reader who sent me the email (encourage all to do so, by the way)

Albert Einstein

My thoughts to all this are in line with the great scientist Albert Einstein were I take a leaf out of his "General Theory of Relativity" & use this theory to explain Coach Guardiola words & the possible future outcomes for FC Barcelona & all the millions of fans around the World. Here we  go. 

These are some consequences that flow from the two inbuilt grand ideas that Albert Einstein formulated to create the “General Theory of Relativity”


Several of the consequences that follow from the special theory of relativity are 1) time dilation (clocks moving near the speed of light operate more slowly than stationary clocks), 2) length contraction (objects moving near the speed of light appear to be contracted in the direction of motion), 3) relativity of simultaneity (things that appear to happen at the same time to stationary observer A may appear to happen at different times to moving observer B), 4) mass-energy equivalence (mass and energy are essentially the same thing and transmutable into each other).


These ideas could very well apply to Football – Soccer in general. As in physics, things in Football are relative, were time distorts, space bends & visuals are stretched. The only difference is that while in the “General Theory of Relativity” the force of GRAVITY is the vital force, in Football WINNING is the force that dominates.


Will Coach Pep Guardiola leave FC Barcelona at the end of 2012? Depends, depends on if he & the Club are WINNING & if other objects are travelling at the “Football Speed of Light” & where Guardiola is in a particular point in space & time & what he observes.

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SPANISH LEAGUE - LA LIGA | ROUND 29 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

Three games of Round 29 scheduled down tonight  of the Spanish Football League that included the big Madrid derby. Here are "bullets" of events at the three grounds, the final results & the scorers.

Real Mallorca scores goal

REAL MALLORCA defeated REAL ZARAGOZA 1 - 0 from a brilliantly taken free-kick in the 67th min by DE GUZMAN from the semi circle. Before this, Zaragoza goalkeeper Doblas cuased the foul on Mallorca forward Webo which lead to a red card to Doblas & left his team down to ten men. Mallorca scored & punished Zaragoza & took the match. 

Dani Alves FC Barcelona

FC BARCELONA had pressure before their game to make secure of a victory with Real Madrid close behind on the Spanish League ladder & to put a smile on team-mate Abidal face who I´m sure was watching from hospital. The end result was a well worked 2 - 1 victory at home against GETAFE with a brief scare towards the end of the match for the home side.

DANI ALVES delivered a "missile" in the 16th min to set Barça on course. Barça controlled & created chances that were´nt fully taken.

Bojan scores for FC Barcelona

Then young BOJAN put back on a comfortable course his team with his 50th min goal. Things looked comfortable until the last part of the match when Getafe pulled one back via MANU DE MORAL in the 86th min that lifted the hopes of the visitors, but nothing came from their efforts. Finally, just a mention, good match by the Barça defenders Pique & Milito who worked very well together.

Barça maintain their 5 point advantage over Real Madrid on the classification table.

Benzema once again for Real Madrid

The 11 year "curse" continues with ATLETICO DE MADRID losing the big local derby 1 - 2 to REAL MADRID with now 21 straight derby games without a victory for Atletico. Although Real Madrid overall deserved to win the "man of the match" was Real Madrid goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS who made - if I have not lost count - 9 crucial game saving stops that kept out Atletico & assured his teams victory.


REAL MADRID got ahead first via in form & reborn Frenchmen KARIM BENZEMA who scored in the 11th min. From this point & for the next 20 mins Atletico de Madrid dominated totally & was stopped by Casillas on 5 occasions.



Then German OZIL returned the calmness to his team with a majestic 32nd min goal that knocked the wind out of Atletico.

Sergio Aguero  scorer for At. Madrid

The second half was mostly dominated by Real Madrid which created chances but did not convert. Then in a radical change of events & after Real Madrid had substituted Benzema, Roanldo & Lass Diarra, Argentine forward & Atletico de Madrid player SERGIO AGUERO was finally rewarded for all his hard work with a 86th min goal. The next 8 mins was Atletico attempting the equalizer with Madrid against the ropes, but the visitors held out to take another derby.

Real Madrid stay in touch - 5 points - with FC Barcelona. Atletico, well, maybe next season.


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SPANISH FOOTBALL SATURDAY ROUND 28 GAMES RESULTS | LA LIGA

SPANISH FOOTBALL action today with three games of LA LIGA that belong to Round 28 with the following briefs, results & scorers. 

Almeria - Atletico de Madrid 

ALMERIA are in a risky situation hoovering in the relegation zone of the Spanish League ladder, while ATLETICO DE MADRID need wins to get into the upper zone & attempt their planned objective of a Champions League position. Todays result was a 2 - 2 draw which was better for Almeria & disappointing for Atletico.

Atletico started on fire & scored first via SERGIO AGUERO in the 38th min to give great signs in the first half. However, once again defensive mistakes & concentration lapses  made Atletico pay & Almeria equalized in the 48th min via CRUSAT. Atletico de Madrid reacted & put themselves ahead again in the 60th min with another goal from SERGIO AGUERO which put the Madrid team back on course. But, another defensive mistake allowed GOITOM to equalize for ALMERIA again in the 76th min & it stay this way until the end of the match.

Karim Benzema again protagonist for Real Madrid 

REAL MADRID CF with Carvalho, Pepe, Xabi & Roanldo resting for the mid week Champions League match defeated HERCULES  2 - 0 in a very comfortable fashion. The visitors looked better during the first half with flashes but faded out during the second half to turn it into a monologue for Madrid.

The highlight was KARIM BENZEMA who continues his personal metamorphosis with two goals tonight with more signals that his time may be finally arriving at last. He put in his first in the 24th min & then his second in the 55th min. His "partner in crime" Adebayor missed some clear chances that could have added to the score line but was unlucky & could not join the Benzema party.

A solid team performance that now awaits to see how FC Barcelona does tomorrow against Sevilla Fc & if they can cut back the gap with Barça on the League table,  & now with their collective team mind firmly focused on the mid week clash with Lyon in Champions League

Jarosik for Real Zaragoza

REAL ZARAGOZA are deep in their own particular battle to get away from the relegation zone & made an important advance tonight defeating VALENCIA CF 4 - 0. Real Zaragoza played a superb match & were far the better team, while Valencia looked "lost" & "out of place" suggesting that their elimination from Champions League by Schalke 04 mid week had left its effects on the minds & body of the Valencia players.

Zaragoza got ahead very early with a header from JAROSIK in the 4th min & just kept getting better & better. ANDER HERRERA scored the second in the 39th min from a Uche pass when the former broke apart the Valencia defence & scored under the goalies legs.

Things got worst in the second half for Valencia when a penalty was called in the 63rd min that lead to a red card to Valencia CF defender Stankevicius to which GABI converted for the Zaragoza third goal 2 mins later. With Valencia down to 10 men & Zaragoza on a rampage the fourth goal came via another penalty to which GABI again converted in the 74th min.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - SOCCER ROUND 22 SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL action tonight with Round 22 of the Spanish League with seven matches scheduled & plenty of goals. Here is a quick summary of the games, results & scorers. 

David Lopez scores for Bilbao

ATHLETIC DE BILBAO won 3 - 0 REAL SPORTING DE GIJON in a game "scared" by an early 15th min red card to Sporting defender Gregory that left Sporting in a serious disadvantage thereafter. Bilbao took the opportunity & scored a penalty in the 16th min by DAVID LOPEZ. Sporting tried to maintain the level but with 10 men & plenty of spaces Bilbao managed the second via TOQUERO in the 26th min. Then FERNANDO LLORENTE scored the third in the 73rd min to seal a great night for the the locals. 

Getafe back winning

GETAFE needed a win & managed it in big fashion 4 - 1 against DEPORTIVO. The visitors risked with very offensive Football that allowed Getafe to counter-attack in deadly fashion. Goals came thick & fast via COLUNGA with two in the 19th min & 26th min, along with MIKU in the 44th min & PEDRO RIOS in the 56th min. Deportivo managed a consolation goal via a penalty scored by RIKI in the 68th min.

Osasuna - Mallorca

OSASUNA drew 1 - 1 with REAL MALLORCA. Goal for Osasuna via FLAÑO & the goal for Mallorca via CASTRO in the 37th min.

Bernardello scores for Almeria

Fantastic match between ALMERIA & RCD ESPANYOL with the home side winning 3 -2 after the visitors attempted a heroic come back. Almeria did all the damage early with goals from SILVA in the 5th min, that was followed by a goal from UCHE a minute later & a third in the 18th min via BERNARDELLO. Espanyol recovered from the blow & scored in the 33rd min via VERDU & again via ALVARO in the 48th min.

Things got exciting as Espanyol looked for the equalizer & Almeria did everything to keep them out. In the end, Almeria managed the three points & a sigh of relief. Great match!

Racing scores against Zaragoza

REAL ZARAGOZA & RACING DE SANTANDER played out a 1 - 1 draw. The goal came via CHRISTIAN for Racing in the 13th min & the equalizer came for Zaragoza via BOUTAHAR in the 39th min. A point each & goodnight.

Valdo scores the winner for Levante

VILLAREAL were surprised by bottom of the ladder team LEVANTE with a 0 - 1 loss that gives the visitors three vital points in their efforts to stay clear from the relegation zone. The winner for Levante came in the 42nd min via VALDO. Surprise of the night in Spanish Football.

Messi again on the scoring sheet for
FC Barcelona

FC BARCELONA defeated ATLETICO DE MADRID 3 - 0  that included a LIONEL MESSI HAT-TRICK which helps keeps Barça Spanish League table lead in tact & put further pressure on rivals & second placed Real Madrid that must win tomorrow to not allow the 7 point gap between both to further widen & practically sentence the Liga title in favour of Barça

With this said, Barça was simply too good tonight, an under statement as they are without much doubt the "Best Team in the World" at this moment & gave no real options to Atletico who looked on at how the ball moved around them from side to side & into the goal net. The 1 st half was all Barça with dim flashes of Atletico - sorry Aguero - & two goals from MESSI in the 17th & 28th min.

The 2nd half was more of the same with poetic movements from Barça that danced on the field & accompanied by the Football music MESSI scored his third & "Hat-Trick" in the 79th min. The rest was Barça dancing again until the end of the match. Lionel Messi overtakes - for the moment - Cristiano Ronaldo as the Spanish League leading goal-scorer with 24 goals to date.

Tomorrow the last three matches of Round 22 , including Real Madrid.  Tweet

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SPANISH CUP RESULTS | 2º LEG SEMI FINAL | ALMERIA 0 - FC BARCELONA 3 | REAL MADRID 2 - SEVILLA FC 0

We have the two finalists that will meet on the 20th of April in the final of the SPANISH CUP after tonights 2º leg semi-final clashes that saw FC BARCELONA & REAL MADRID win their ties & set up another "Clasico" of Spanish Football.

The last time Real Madrid lifted the Spanish Cup was in 1993 & from there to today the walk across the Spanish Cup "desert" has been more painful than the years of exile of Moses in biblical times. FC Barcelona return to a Spanish Cup final after two years & must be considered at this stage favourites although until April many things can occur. 

Thiago for FC Barcelona

FC BARCELONA took a 0 - 5 1º leg advantage to ALMERIA & further increased it tonight with a 0 - 3 victory result to finish with a 0 - 8 aggregate score. Although Barça Coach Guardiola gave a run to players normally on the bench ( Bojan, Keita, Milito, Adriano, Thiago...) there was no surprises as the whole squad has memorized the Barça Football philosophy. ADRIANO scored first in the 34th min, followed by young THIAGO with a brilliant header from an Alves pass in the 55th min with new signing AFELLAY getting the third in the 65th min.

FC BARCELONA cruise into the final of the Spanish Cup.

Ozil scores for Real Madrid

The last time REAL MADRID played a Spanish Cup final was six years ago & they lost to Real Zaragoza, but the last time they took the silverware home was 21 years ago. The Madrid Club managed tonight to get rid of their Cup "curse" defeating SEVILLA FC ( the current title holders) 2 - 0 ( 0 - 3 aggregate).

It was not easy at all tonight as the game looked like two boxers exchanging punches up till the 81st min when Real Madrid scored. A typical semi - final with strong tackles & fierce "competitive" aggressiveness that did not make the referees work easy. Just a few notes, Cristiano Ronaldo is out of form & missing some sitters, Di Maria needs a rest, without Xabi Alonso Madrid wobbles & Karin Benzema is trying hard & doing some great things but with the one to one goal chances the man is out of tune. Said this,  Benzema ran the most & did some great lay offs which showed a clear improvement.


The turning point came when Sevilla Coach Manzano decided to take off around the 68th min new signing Rakitic  - who played well - to put on a forward ( Luis Fabiano) to go after the needed goal & thus attempt to force the extra time. It back-fired as it created spaces which Real Madrid exploited & allowed the OZIL goal from a Khedira pass in the 81st min.

This was a heavy blow that knocked out Sevilla FC which then received a red card via Sanchez who won his second yellow with a brutal tackle on Adebayor who had just come on for Benzema. Then in the 93rd min another substitute Lass Diarra ( on for injuried Khedira) passed a ball into the square where ADEBAYOR chest controlled & riffled in his debut goal & the second for Real Madrid.


End of game, & Real Madrid qualify for the Spanish Cup Final scheduled for the 20th of April.


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FOOTBALL STATISTICS | SPANISH PROFESSORS RESEARCH PENALTY SHOOT-OUT VICTORY PROBABILITIES

Spanish London School of Economics professor Ignacio Palacios-Huerta assures that the team that goes first in a penalty shoot-out has a higher probability of winning the rival. According to a study done with follow Spanish professor José Apesteguia of the University Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona there is a 21% more chance of being victorious.

David Villa scores a penalty for Spain 

The investigation will be published next December in the “American Economic Review”. Both academics studied 269 penalty shoot-outs (2,820 shots at goal) from the years 1970 to 2008 & found that the first to start won 60,5 % of the time over the rival with 39,5%


This therefore changes the saying that a penalty shoot-out is a lottery. It is, but a 60% vs 40% lottery &thus al indicating that the flip of the coin to choose who shots first can determine the final outcome.


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