Sports

Barca thrash Betis to stay ahead of rampant Madrid

Published

3 years ago

April 30, 2023

Barca thrash Betis

Barcelona thrashed 10-man Real Betis 4-0 on Saturday to move a step closer to winning La Liga for the first time since 2019.

Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-2 to cut the gap to eight points earlier on but Barcelona triumphed to restore their 11 point advantage.

Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha struck for Barca at Camp Nou with Guido Rodriguez netting a late own goal to round off the rout.

Edgar Gonzalez’s early dismissal made it an easy night for Xavi Hernandez’s side to protect their lead with six games remaining.

With his side comfortably winning, Xavi brought on 15-year-old forward Lamine Yamal to become the club’s youngest ever player to debut in La Liga.

Betis also brought on veteran Joaquin Sanchez, 41, for his final appearance at Camp Nou before he retires at the end of the season, and he was afforded a standing ovation by Barcelona supporters.

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The Catalans bounced back from a 2-1 defeat by Rayo Vallecano in midweek.

“We generated a reaction,” said Xavi. “We improved a lot, it was a very good reaction from the whole team.

“We went 1-0 up and after the red card, it was in our favour.”

Xavi brought Christensen into the starting line-up after injury and he made a quick impact on his return.

Raphinha whipped in a vicious ball which Ronald Araujo narrowly missed but Christensen followed in behind to power a header home.

Betis were set back further when defender Edgar was dismissed for two bookings after half-an-hour.

Lewandowski pounced soon after to net his 19th league goal of the season after Jules Kounde set him up with a low cross.

The Pole, La Liga’s top scorer, reacted after Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema earlier netted a hat-trick to move within one of his tally.

Three minutes later Raphinha struck the third, making a clever run in behind the defence and finishing from Sergio Busquets’ chipped pass.

Xavi brought on Ousmane Dembele with little over 15 minutes to go, with Camp Nou delighted to see the winger back.

Rodriguez deflected in Ansu Fati’s cross as Barcelona added a fourth goal in the 82nd minute. ;

Almost 90,000 home supporters were also treated to 15-year-old Yamal’s debut in the final stages, and the winger came close to scoring with a shot repelled by Rui Silva.

“We were talking about this on the bench, when I was at 15 I think I was playing for my neighbourhood team,” added Raphinha.

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“And seeing him come on in this stadium, with all these people, is incredible.”

– Stylish Madrid –

Benzema climbed to 17 goals in La Liga this season with his treble, now two behind Lewandowski.

Benzema netted his treble in the first half and Rodrygo added the fourth early in the second for Madrid, while Lazaro and Lucas Robertone struck for the visitors, 15th.

Almeria coach Rubi made several changes to his regular side, clearly unconvinced his team could take points from the Santiago Bernabeu — the visit of Elche on Tuesday should be more profitable in their survival bid.

Madrid played with freedom in attack during an entertaining game, albeit one low on tension with their hopes of retaining the title minimal.

“In attack the team is very dangerous, with the quality of Karim, Vini, Rodrygo, with the ball we play very well,” coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“There are games where the offensive level looks very good, like today.”

Vinicius Junior teed up Benzema for a tap-in to break the deadlock early on.

Rodrygo’s assist for Benzema’s second goal was one of the highlights of the game, with the forward backheeling the ball to himself to escape Samuel Costa.

“I think it was a pass to myself, I didn’t have anywhere to go, it was a nice pass to myself with my heel,” Rodrygo told DAZN.

The 35-year-old Benzema completed his hat-trick after 42 minutes from the penalty spot after Largie Ramazani clumsily fouled Lucas Vazquez.

Benzema’s strikes helped him move two goals ahead of former Madrid attacker Hugo Sanchez to become the fourth top scorer in La Liga of all time, on 236 goals.

Vinicius made way in the final stages after taking a knock but Ancelotti said the winger would be fit to play in the Copa del Rey final next weekend.

Bottom side Elche survived relegation for the time being with a 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Sports

Kylian Mbappe Suffers Knee Injury as Real Madrid’s Title Chase Takes a Hit

Published

7 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe Suffers Knee Injury as Real Madrid’s Title Chase Takes a Hit

Real Madrid have confirmed that star forward Kylian Mbappe has suffered a left knee sprain, dealing a significant blow to the club’s bid to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Spanish giants said medical tests conducted by the club revealed the extent of the injury.

“After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by Real Madrid’s medical services, he was diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee. Awaiting evolution,” the club said.

Although Real Madrid did not provide a timeline for his recovery, a source close to the France international told AFP that the 27-year-old striker is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

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Mbappe is now a major doubt for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Real Betis, which marks Los Blancos’ first league match after the winter break, as they trail Barcelona by four points in the title race.

The injury could also rule Mbappe out of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia on January 8, as well as upcoming fixtures against Levante in the league and a Champions League showdown with former club Monaco.

The setback comes after a remarkable 2025 calendar year for Mbappe, during which he equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record of 59 goals in a year. His form has been crucial for Madrid, often carrying the team and easing pressure on under-fire head coach Xabi Alonso.

Kylian Mbappe Suffers Knee Injury as Real Madrid’s Title Chase Takes a Hit

Sports

AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

Published

15 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has praised Victor Osimhen for his outstanding leadership and all-round performance as Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeated Uganda’s Cranes 3–1 in their final Group C match at the ongoing AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Osimhen, who was named vice-captain of the Super Eagles to Wilfred Ndidi ahead of the tournament, captained the side on Tuesday in Fes, a day after celebrating his 27th birthday. Although the Galatasaray striker did not score in the encounter, he played a decisive role in Nigeria’s emphatic victory.

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Speaking as a colour commentator during the live broadcast, Oliseh—who captained Nigeria at the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations—said he was impressed by Osimhen’s rare leadership qualities and selfless approach to the game.

“I’m really impressed with Osimhen; he’s really playing as a captain and I’m really loving it,” Oliseh said, while offering tactical insights and expert analysis during the match.

The former midfielder further commended the striker’s attitude on the pitch, noting: “Despite being the top striker and captain, he has been so unselfish in this match.”

Osimhen, who previously featured for Nigeria at the 2019 and 2023 AFCON tournaments, opened his goal account at the 2025 AFCON in Saturday’s thrilling 3–2 victory over Tunisia’s Eagles of Carthage, further underlining his importance to the Super Eagles’ campaign.

AFCON 2025: Oliseh Praises Osimhen’s Captaincy as Super Eagles Beat Uganda

Sports

Anthony Joshua’s Family Speak on Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

Published

15 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Anthony Joshua accident scene

Anthony Joshua’s Family Speak on Fatal Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

The Sagamu community in Ogun State and the family of former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, have been thrown into deep shock following a fatal road accident involving the boxing star on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, reportedly claimed two lives, while Anthony Joshua escaped with minor injuries. The accident involved a Lexus SUV conveying the boxer, with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary truck along the busy highway.

According to findings, Joshua, who was seated at the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and was subsequently taken to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where he is currently receiving treatment.

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Joshua, an indigene of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, hails from the Ijokun area of Sagamu. Speaking with journalists on Tuesday at the family residence, his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, described the incident as a “rude shock” that has left both the family and the wider Sagamu community devastated.

“The whole community is still in shock. Nobody ever imagined that something this terrible could happen to our son, especially during this festive period when families are meant to come together and rejoice,” he said.

While expressing gratitude to God for sparing the life of Anthony Joshua and the driver, the family mourned the tragic death of two close friends and trainers of the boxer who lost their lives in the crash.