MADRID (AFP) - Lionel Messi continued his remarkable run of form with a second-half double as Barcelona continued their march towards the La Liga title on Saturday (March 30) with a 2-0 win over Espanyol.
The visitors gave their city rivals a tough game at the Camp Nou, but Messi's chipped free-kick with 19 minutes to play and a late second sent the reigning champions 13 points clear at the top ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid's game at Alaves later on Saturday.
Messi has now netted eight times in his last four games for Barca, and leads the way in the La Liga scoring charts with 31 goals, 13 ahead of teammate Luis Suarez.
"I had no idea he would hit (the free-kick) like that," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde.
"I would love to say that we had planned it, but it's not true, it's up to him. He didn't need my opinion and he scored."
It was a fitting way for the Argentinian to mark his 675th Barcelona appearance, which moved him ahead of Andres Iniesta into second on the club's all-time list - 102 adrift of Xavi Hernandez.
He made a low-key return to international action in midweek as Argentina lost a friendly to Venezuela, but Valverde was delighted it did not affect Messi on Saturday.
"Messi is the same player no matter what team he is playing in," he said.
"He would be the same if he played in Australia... We are delighted to have him, it's a luxury for me to coach him."
BARCA FRUSTRATED
Barca struggled to break down Espanyol early on, with Messi, Suarez and Ivan Rakitic all wasting half-chances in the first period.
Barcelona saw a penalty appeal waved away by both the referee and VAR on the stroke of half-time, and Malcom was denied just after the hour mark by away goalkeeper Diego Lopez as the Catalan giants grew frustrated.
But Messi has been consistently unplayable this season, and he dinked in a wonderful effort from a set-piece despite Victor Sanchez's best efforts to clear off the line.
The three points were sealed in the 89th minute as Malcom ran clear on the breakaway, before cutting the ball across for Messi to sweep a trademark finish low into the bottom corner.
Barcelona next visit Villarreal on Tuesday with a second successive title looking even more like a mere formality after a sixth straight victory extended their unbeaten league run to 17 matches.
Earlier on Saturday, fourth-placed Getafe missed the chance to solidify their spot in the Champions League places as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Leganes.
Uruguayan Michael Santos and Spaniard Juanfran scored in the second half for Leganes to give Alaves the chance to move into the top four with a win over Atletico.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Iran (centre) in action during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Iran and Oman in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan 20, 2019.
Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last eight
"We came in on the back of the European Championships, they have had a change of coach, they have had a lot of difficulties to deal with through the campaign, but now we are there and we look to
Arsenal v Man City Review - Spirited Gunners still have a lot
Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has batted away suggestions the damaging 3-1 defeat to Wolves was another example of failing to perform under pressure. Spurs capitulated in the final 18 minutes
Harry Winks shrugs off 'Spursy' slight following shock defeat
Speed is key for Socceroos - straitstimes.com
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse 31/01/2019 31/01/2019 Oman Observer LONDON: If more proof were needed of how unpredictable the Premier League can be it was provided on Wednesday as Liverpool blew a chance take a vice-like grip on the title race and Chelsea suffered their worst league defeat in 23 years.
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse - The Zimbabwe Mail
Kevin de Bruyne to miss Manchester derby with knee injury. The forward was injured in Manchester City's 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Fulham on Thursday night, limping off with five minutes remaining
Kevin De Bruyne ruled out of Wednesday's Manchester derby
Feb 23 (Reuters) - - Newcastle United's 2-0 win over 10-man Huddersfield Town on Saturday eased their Premier League safety fears and sent the Terriers hurtling ever faster towards relegation to the Championship. The top-flight's basement club looked lost again as soon as captain Tommy Smith was
Soccer-Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the
Marcus Rashford Family, Parents, Wife, Son, Daughter, Brothers & Sisters. Marcus Rashford Parents: Word "parents" itself is so sweet that it seems that all the sweetness and kindness is combined together to make this world. We all know the importance of the word and the persons which are called parents. Father: Robert Rashford
Marcus Rashford Biography - Affair, In Relation, Ethnicity
Luka Modric criticises Ballon d'Or gala snub by Lionel Messi
"The FA strongly condemns the scenes witnessed in Porto overnight," a spokesman said. "Anyone responsible for these disturbances cannot be seen as true England supporters and are not welcome in football. "They are an embarrassment to the team and the thousands of well-behaved fans who follow England in the right way.
Violent England fans an embarrassment to the team and not
Jorginho fired Chelsea to a 2-1 win at struggling Fulham on Sunday as Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga began to make amends for his Wembley mutiny with an impressive display. Maurizio Sarri's side took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain before Calum Chambers equalised at Craven Cottage.In an incident-packed first half, the
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines - Daily Monitor
Manchester City's Aguero, Fernandinho both 9/10 in must-win against Liverpool Craig Burley and Paul Mariner highlight the areas in which Pep Guardiola bested Jurgen Klopp from a tactical
Bournemouth execute game plan to perfection in win - ESPN FC
Chelsea draw 2-2 with Burnley, denting Champions League hopes Premier League football match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge in London on April 22, 2019. they were held to a
Chelsea held 2-2 by Burnley, denting Champions League hopes
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen