In what was the highlight fixture on Saturday, Real Madrid and Toni Kroos triumphed 2-1 at Camp Nou against fierce rivals Barcelona. The match was unequivocally a must-win game for Zidane's men in white, who were a massive ten points adrift of Barcelona going into the match. Despite falling behind to a Pique goal, they more than justified the immense hype surrounding the matchup, turning the game on its head and leaving with all three points.
In what was a fairly evenly-matched first half, both sides had chances to take the lead. Lionel Messi had a penalty shout turned down early on after he was brought down rather unceremoniously by Sergio Ramos' outstretched knee. The game never really hit top gear, with both teams seemingly adopting a more cautious approach. In the 56th minute, it was not the magnificent Messi, Suarez and Neymar who found a way through, but centre half Pique, who lost his marker Pepe at a corner before planting a firm header into the back of the net. Real Madrid replied a short while afterwards, and it was Germany international Toni Kroos who was the architect. His attempted ball across the area takes a deflection and sits up nicely for Benzema to acrobatically smash home from close range. The scores were level and there was plenty of drama still to come.
As the game reached its final stages, Bale had a goal disallowed for a push in the back and in the 83rd minute, Sergio Ramos was sent off for a second bookable offence after his foul on Suarez. An already difficult task looked to be nearly impossible. Ronaldo had other ideas, and after being picked out by Bale's cross from the right, chests the ball down and slides it between the legs of the onrushing Navas. With just five minutes left on the clock, the visitors were able to hold out for an important win.
Özil and Arsenal record emphatic win
Arsenal FC have consolidated their hold on third position in the Premier League, after beating Watford 4-0 in front of their home fans this afternoon. World Cup winner Mesut Özil’s Gunners now have 58 points on the board and stay within touching distance of leaders Leicester City.
Whatever happens, it will go right to the wire, with just seven games left to play and three teams still in with a shout. Manchester City put in an empathic performance too, defeating AFC Bournemouth 4-0 to keep the pressure on the top four.
Alexis Sanchez scored the first goal of the match in the Emirates Stadium, and the Chilean also set up Alex Iwobi, who made it 2-0 after 38 minutes. After the break, Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott put the icing on the cake, as the Gunners put on a show in front of their home fanhs. Özil played the entire 90 minutes, and Per Mertesacker was named as an unused substitute.
In the late kick-off of the day, second-place Tottenham Hotspur (61 points) could only manage a 1-1 draw against Klopp’s Liverpool side, which will give Leicester the opportunity to extend their lead at the top tomorrow. Liverpool took the lead through Coutinho, who finished brilliantly past Lloris to give them the lead. Tottenham replied a short while later, Harry Kane turning his defender before burying the ball bottom corner past Mignolet.
Trapp and PSG win again
Paris St. Germain and Germany international Kevin Trapp secured another three points on Saturday, defeating OGC Nice 4-1 on matchday 32 of Ligue 1.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick in the win, and can now boast 30 goals this season. Brazilian David Luiz made it 3-0 just after the break, after Hatem Ben Arfa had equalised in the 18th minute.
Valencia throw away lead
Unfortunately for World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi, his own goal was decisive in the clash between UD Las Palmas and FC Valencia. Despite Valencia taking the lead, they ended up losing 2-1 on matchday 31 of Liga BBVA.
Rodrigo gave his side the lead after just three minutes, but Viera struck back after 49 minutes from the penalty spot. Mustafi’s frustrating own goal meant the hosts left the pitch with all three points. Valencia now find themselves in 15th position, and have a six-point cushion separating them and the relegation places.
created by mmc/wh
In what was the highlight fixture on Saturday, Real Madrid and Toni Kroos triumphed 2-1 at Camp Nou against fierce rivals Barcelona. The match was unequivocally a must-win game for Zidane's men in white, who were a massive ten points adrift of Barcelona going into the match. Despite falling behind to a Pique goal, they more than justified the immense hype surrounding the matchup, turning the game on its head and leaving with all three points.
In what was a fairly evenly-matched first half, both sides had chances to take the lead. Lionel Messi had a penalty shout turned down early on after he was brought down rather unceremoniously by Sergio Ramos' outstretched knee. The game never really hit top gear, with both teams seemingly adopting a more cautious approach. In the 56th minute, it was not the magnificent Messi, Suarez and Neymar who found a way through, but centre half Pique, who lost his marker Pepe at a corner before planting a firm header into the back of the net. Real Madrid replied a short while afterwards, and it was Germany international Toni Kroos who was the architect. His attempted ball across the area takes a deflection and sits up nicely for Benzema to acrobatically smash home from close range. The scores were level and there was plenty of drama still to come.
As the game reached its final stages, Bale had a goal disallowed for a push in the back and in the 83rd minute, Sergio Ramos was sent off for a second bookable offence after his foul on Suarez. An already difficult task looked to be nearly impossible. Ronaldo had other ideas, and after being picked out by Bale's cross from the right, chests the ball down and slides it between the legs of the onrushing Navas. With just five minutes left on the clock, the visitors were able to hold out for an important win.
Özil and Arsenal record emphatic win
Arsenal FC have consolidated their hold on third position in the Premier League, after beating Watford 4-0 in front of their home fans this afternoon. World Cup winner Mesut Özil’s Gunners now have 58 points on the board and stay within touching distance of leaders Leicester City.
Whatever happens, it will go right to the wire, with just seven games left to play and three teams still in with a shout. Manchester City put in an empathic performance too, defeating AFC Bournemouth 4-0 to keep the pressure on the top four.
Alexis Sanchez scored the first goal of the match in the Emirates Stadium, and the Chilean also set up Alex Iwobi, who made it 2-0 after 38 minutes. After the break, Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott put the icing on the cake, as the Gunners put on a show in front of their home fanhs. Özil played the entire 90 minutes, and Per Mertesacker was named as an unused substitute.
In the late kick-off of the day, second-place Tottenham Hotspur (61 points) could only manage a 1-1 draw against Klopp’s Liverpool side, which will give Leicester the opportunity to extend their lead at the top tomorrow. Liverpool took the lead through Coutinho, who finished brilliantly past Lloris to give them the lead. Tottenham replied a short while later, Harry Kane turning his defender before burying the ball bottom corner past Mignolet.
Trapp and PSG win again
Paris St. Germain and Germany international Kevin Trapp secured another three points on Saturday, defeating OGC Nice 4-1 on matchday 32 of Ligue 1.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick in the win, and can now boast 30 goals this season. Brazilian David Luiz made it 3-0 just after the break, after Hatem Ben Arfa had equalised in the 18th minute.
Valencia throw away lead
Unfortunately for World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi, his own goal was decisive in the clash between UD Las Palmas and FC Valencia. Despite Valencia taking the lead, they ended up losing 2-1 on matchday 31 of Liga BBVA.
Rodrigo gave his side the lead after just three minutes, but Viera struck back after 49 minutes from the penalty spot. Mustafi’s frustrating own goal meant the hosts left the pitch with all three points. Valencia now find themselves in 15th position, and have a six-point cushion separating them and the relegation places.
