BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title after beating 10-man Atletico Madrid 2-0 in Saturday's (April 6) top-of-the-table showdown at the Nou Camp as late strikes by Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi gave the Catalans an 11-point lead at the top of the table.
Atletico began brightly but their gameplan went out of the window when Diego Costa was shown a straight red card in the 28th minute for a verbal tirade at referee Jesus Gil Manzano.
Atletico produced a gutsy second-half display, expertly shackling Barca, but the Catalans finally found a way past the visitors' outstanding goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a superb curling shot from Suarez in the 85th minute.
Moments later Messi sealed victory and quite probably the league title with an irresistibly cool finish into the net and Barca's fans jubilantly chanted "champions", crowing at their surely unassailable lead at the top with seven games remaining.
Atletico realistically needed to win at the Nou Camp for the first time since 2006 to stay in the title race and they played with ambition and intelligence in the opening stages, keeping the ball for long periods and depriving Barca of space.
But they were rocked by Costa's moment of madness which killed their early momentum and left them with little choice but to defend for the remaining hour of the game.
Striker Costa reacted angrily to not being awarded a foul after being tackled by Jordi Alba and gave a long verbal response to the referee, who to his disbelief pulled out a red card.
Costa had to be shepherded off the pitch by Barca's Gerard Pique as he struggled to control his temper while his team mates Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez earned bookings for venting their anger over the decision.
Atletico coped superbly with the setback and numerical disadvantage, controlling the space for the majority of the game.
Messi still carved his way through the middle of the pitch on two occasions, creating openings for Suarez and himself but both South American forwards were thwarted by the titanic presence of Oblak.
Atletico naturally had limited opportunities down the other end but were not far from finding a goal when Antoine Griezmann picked out Rodrigo from a free kick but the midfielder headed over the bar when Gimenez was stood behind him, in a better position.
Diego Simeone's side could not last the distance, however, and as their legs inevitably tired, Barca's attacking quality made the difference.
Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday, increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next we
Barcelona's Dembele back training ahead of Manchester United
Moving to Norway is a desire that many people share. This post shows how to move to Norway and 30 things to know before starting your new life in Norway.The post will also give details on the various Norwegian visas that are available and how to apply for them as a citizen of various countries.
Norway - Wikipedia
Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool team could not have done anything more after they finished just behind defending champions Manchester City. Klopp: Liverpool 'did all we could' in Premier League
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp says Reds could not have done
The Portuguese attacking midfielder has also been linked to City's rivals Manchester United, but it is looking increasingly like the Sky Blue is winning the race for the player. The Sporting No. 8 has racked up an immense tally of 31 goals and 17 assists in 50 appearances this season, which has made him one of the hottest players in Europe.
Chelsea news recap: Offer for midfielder increased, star to
London: Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says he will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Monday's 2-2 draw against Burnley. Hudson-Odoi limped off helped by two members of Chelsea's medical staff after sustaining the injury in the first half of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi says he will miss rest of season
Speed is key for Socceroos. Australia's Tom Rogic has been tipped by national coach Graham Arnold to be one of the stars of the Asian Cup for the defending champions. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE.
Sport: Boyle was a key for Socceroos: Arnold - PressFrom
The St. Louis Blues appeared to use an Enterprise Rent-A-Car flag in their color guard during the national anthem before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
KPMG planning overhaul of British business: Report
Emery urges fired-up Gunners to keep cool heads. Sports World. Next 24 Hours. Maturity is my top goal: Osaka. James knocks out Bulls but Lakers still a long shot. Ferrari will force the pace, says
Emery allows Arsenal stars to kick back before Europa League
Home United utility Hariss Harun insists his side have proved they can more than match Albirex Niigata (S) as they prepare for this week's two-legged Singapore Cup semifinal. The Protectors snapped the S.League leaders' 12-game winning streak when they met in the S.League last Tuesday, pushing them all the way in a 1-1 draw.
COMMENT: Why Albirex Niigata will not win the S.League in
Football: Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report, Football
Cristiano Ronaldo insists there is nothing to fear after suffering a hamstring injury in Portugal's 1-1 draw against Serbia on Monday, adding that he is "not worried" about it going forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo vows to return in 2 weeks amid fears of
PORTO (Reuters) - AS Roma's dramatic Champions League elimination by Porto, thanks to a late penalty awarded with a VAR review, was a "terrible way to go out", PARIS (Reuters) - Manchester
Champions League: FC Porto Go Through With Extra Time VAR
Son Heung-min is no longer an invisible star. Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min attends a training session at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, on May 31, 2019.
Son Heung-min is no longer an invisible star - theworldnews.net
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen