Madrid (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi scored for the seventh time in four LaLiga games as champions Barcelona scrapped their way to a hard-fought 2-1 win at Getafe on Sunday (Monday morning, Singapore time) that propelled them five points clear at the top of the table.
Messi, LaLiga's top scorer this season, opened his account for 2019 with his 16th goal, giving Barca a 20th minute lead as he tucked the ball into the net from a tight angle after his initial shot was saved by the legs of Getafe keeper David Soria.
It took the Argentine's career tally to a staggering 399 goals in LaLiga before Uruguay striker Luis Suarez doubled Barca's advantage in the 39th minute with a spectacular volley from outside the area.
Yet Getafe hit back two minutes before the interval with a close-range finish from striker Jaime Mata after a splendid team move and continued to push hard after the break.
Barca, who have won seven out of the last 10 La Liga titles, now lead the standings on 40 points after 18 games, stretching the gap to five points over their nearest pursuers Atletico Madrid, who drew 1-1 with third-placed Sevilla.
The Catalans are 10 points ahead of European champions Real Madrid, whose struggles continued with a 2-0 home defeat by Real Sociedad.
"We were aware of those results before going out on the pitch and were under pressure to make the most of the opportunity, and we went out to do that at a very difficult ground," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters.
"We expected it was going to be a tough game and it was. They got right back into the game with their goal but we are very happy. We've increased the gap with our rivals, but there's still a long way to go."
Getafe's Mata, who had an earlier first-half strike ruled out at 0-0 for an apparent foul by teammate Angel Rodriguez, missed a big chance in the second half, ballooning the ball over the bar with Barca's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen stranded.
Ter Stegen then made a flying save to keep out a powerful Leandro Cabrera header, while Soria also did well to prevent both Messi, hunting that landmark 400th goal, and French defender Clement Lenglet from stretching Barca's lead.
"These are the types of games that win you half the title, especially considering the other results before we played," said goalscorer Suarez.
"The other team play as well, and Getafe are very strong at home so it was very difficult. There were a lot of battles out there but it all stays on the pitch. We're feeling very positive, the title is in our own hands."
Football: Free curry fish head, bak chor mee for Liverpool fans if Reds beat Tottenham to win Champions League SINGAPORE - Liverpool fans will have an extra reason to celebrate if the Reds win the Champions League final on Sunday morning (June 2, Singapore time), with at least two food and beverage outlets offering free food to ardent supporters.
Football: Free curry fish head and bak chor mee for Liverpool
The Public Law titled the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 has charged VA, DOL, and DOD with expanding upon the functions and benefits available to unemployed Veterans, as well as create a more seamless transition for Service members. Congress will request metrics to evaluate the success of the VOW Act.
Sudan Pro-Democracy Groups Vow to Continue Protests After
(Reuters) - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the goal as Southampton withstood a second-half onslaught from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a vital 1-0 Premier League victory on Saturday. The win put
Brighton 0-1 Southampton: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg strike seals
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex Madrid, Spain: Jurgen Klopp revelled in the biggest night of his managerial career on Saturday after winning Liverpool's sixth Champions League title, ending a run of six straight losses in finals.
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex
Juventus manger Massimiliano Allegri has claimed he is 'confident' Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to take on Ajax this week.. The attacker sat out Juve's 2-1 victory against AC Milan on
Juventus' Ronaldo a doubt to face Ajax in Champions League
global.espn.com/football/juventus/story/3810925/juventus-ronaldo-a-doubt-to-face-ajax-in-champions-league-allegri
Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for the Champions League quarterfinal against Ajax after being left out of the Juventus squad to face Empoli on Saturday with a muscular injury. Ronaldo pulled up with an injury half an hour into Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia on Monday and will miss his third Serie A game in a row after being rested for the 4-1
Cristiano Ronaldo Doubtful For Ajax Clash, Says Coach
At Ajax, One Star Goes, Another Is Going, and More Are Always
United dump holders Chelsea out of FA Cup to pile pressure on Sarri Sports By John Doe 2019-02-19 London (Reuters): Manchester United's Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba headed first-half goals to claim a 2-0 win that dumped FA Cup holders Chelsea out of the competition and secured a place in the quarter-finals in an intense tie at Stamford Bridge
United dump holders Chelsea out of Cup to pile pressure on
A fourth win of the season for Albirex, then, after seven games played, and two of those victories coming at Jurong East, a far cry from last year's barren run at the ground where not a single win was recorded. Geylang, meanwhile, are having a horror start to the new season.
Football: Fandi Ahmad's Under-22s aim to shine in Merlion Cup
usasportsradar.com/soccer/football-fandi-ahmads-under-22s-aim-to-shine-in-merlion-cup-despite-hari-raya-festivities/
Football: Fandi Ahmad's Under-22s aim to shine in Merlion Cup despite Hari Raya festivities June 6, 2019 SINGAPORE - Their chief striker Ikhsan Fandi is jet lagged, having arrived from Norway on Tuesday (June 4) and having spent the following day celebrating Hari Raya with his family.
Top 10 Interview Questions For 2019 (…And How To Answer Them)
Football: 'Spineless, shameful' PSG stars face fury at
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to keep Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford, saying the pair are vital to his plans of building a team "worthy of the
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urges 'vital' Paul Pogba and Marcus
0 comments:
Post a Comment