Sports
El Clasico: Real Madrid shock Barcelona at Camp Nou
A second-half penalty from Sergio Ramos helped lift Real Madrid to a 1-3 victory over Barcelona in the latest instalment of El Clasico on Saturday evening at the Camp Nou.
The two sides produced a thrilling first half in which Fede Valverde and Ansu Fati exchanged goals in the first 10 minutes, before Barcelona seemingly took control early in the second stanza. However, a key penalty call via VAR earned Real Madrid a penalty, which Ramos duly converted, and a late Luka Modric strike polished things off for Los Blancos.
The win for Real Madrid halts a two-match losing streak, while it marks a second straight La Liga loss for the Catalans.
There was a strong infusion of youth in the starting XI of Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman, with 17-year-olds Pedri and Ansu Fati getting the nod on the wings, as did 19-year-old right-back Sergino Dest, who became the first ever United States player to start and play in a Clasico.
As for the visitors from the capital and maligned head coach Zinedine Zidane, Marco Asensio was a notable inclusion in attack for Los Blancos, while it was surprising to see veteran midfielder Modric relegated to the bench. Ramos also won his race to fitness and was slotted in at his customary centre-back position.
Zidane’s men were quick out of the gates and drew first blood inside the first five minutes when a perfectly weighted pass from Karim Benzema found a wide-open Valverde, who sent a rocket into net for a 0-1 Real Madrid lead.
But the defensive frailties showed by Real Madrid in their previous outings were exposed in short order and a ball over the top from Messi found the streaking Jordi Alba on the left wing.
The veteran left-back, who was making a return from injury, then hit a perfect square ball for Ansu Fati to turn into net to even things up 1-1.
The action was end-to-end and seconds after Real Marid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois denied Messi at the near post, Barcelona shot-stopper Neto had to come up big with a save from a Benzema shot after a superb cross from Toni Kroos.
Shortly before half time, Zidane was forced into his first change with the hobbling Nacho having to yield his spot to Lucas Vazquez. Barcelona had the stronger start of the two in the second half and a Ansu Fati cross floated to Philippe Coutinho could have been headed in, but the Brazilian missed wide.
Right when Barcelona were displaying their best football, controversy erupted and a penalty was awarded to Real Madrid after VAR ruled that Clement Lenglet had pulled on Ramos’ shirt in the area.
The captain stepped up and like he has so many times, coolly converted the spot-kick to hand Real Madrid a 1-2 lead.
An injury to a woozy Fede Valverde provoked the second change for Real Madrid, as Modric came on for the young Uruguayan.
With less than a quarter-hour to play, Koeman finally made his first changes, with Antoine Griezmann, Francisco Trincao and Ousmane Dembele came on for Ansu Fati, Pedri and Busquets, while Zidane swapped off Asensio for Rodrygo Goes.
Barcelona’s frustrations began to grow, while Real Madrid looked very comfortable holding the late lead. Los Blancos had a trio of chances to put the nail in the coffin, the first two coming off the boot of Kroos, followed shortly by a clear-cut chance for Ramos, only to see Neto rise to the challenge and make a pair of spectacular saves.
Martin Braithwaite was the next roll of the dice from Koeman in replacing Alba, but it was all for naught when Neto spilled the ball with Vinicius charging and Modric cleaned things up by depositing the ball into the net to complete the 1-3 scoreline.
Sports
Lookman’s Atalanta beat Roma to move second in Serie A
Lookman’s Atalanta beat Roma to move second in Serie A
Atalanta continued their high-flying start in Serie A as they beat Roma to enter second.
Ademola Lookman struggled, but Atalanta coped without their starman shining as they beat Roma 2-0 to move within touching distance of league leaders Napoli.
Roma, seeking to revive their season after four losses in five league games, started brightly. Leandro Paredes’ early shot from outside the box forced Marco Carnesecchi into a sharp save, but the hosts’ promising start soon fizzled out. Clear-cut chances were scarce for both sides in the first-half, with Manu Kone’s strike from distance sailing narrowly wide.
Roma struggled to recover from this setback, and their fate was sealed when two former players combined to double Atalanta’s lead. Juan Cuadrado’s pinpoint delivery found Nicolo Zaniolo, who rifled a header into the back of the net, condemning Roma to another defeat.
Lookman’s Atalanta beat Roma to move second in Serie A
Sports
Liverpool beat Man City to go nine points clear at top
Liverpool beat Man City to go nine points clear at top
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points and heaped more misery on fading champions Manchester City with a fully deserved victory at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s pace-setters, fresh from beating Champions League holders Real Madrid, were in rampant mood and subjected City to a relentless barrage from the kick-off.
Liverpool were not flattered by the margin of victory, which leaves them 11 points clear of Man City, who not won for seven matches – losing their past four league games.
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Virgil van Dijk had headed against the post – while City keeper Stefan Ortega, in for the dropped Ederson, had already been in constant action – before Liverpool went ahead after 12 minutes.
Mohamed Salah showed perfect vision to pick out Cody Gakpo for a simple finish in front of the Kop as City were unable to cope with Liverpool’s relentless attacking intensity.
Van Dijk headed wide when it seemed easier to score and the Reds created more chances when, as City hinted at a belated recovery, the league leaders deservedly increased their lead with 12 minutes left.
The Reds substitute Darwin Nunez hustled Ruben Dias into an error. Luis Diaz cashed in and was brought down by Ortega, with Salah making no mistake from the spot after missing against Real Madrid in midweek.
Liverpool beat Man City to go nine points clear at top
Sports
Dozens killed in crush at Guinea football match – reports
Dozens killed in crush at Guinea football match – reports
Dozens of people have died in a crush following clashes at a football match in Guinea’s second-largest city, N’zérékoré, local media report.
Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah said a stampede at the event led to a number of victims on Sunday and called for calm.
One doctor, who did not want to be named, told AFP news agency that there were several bodies “lined up” in the local hospital, and the morgue was full.
Local media said police used tear gas after supporters of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee.
So far no official casualty figures have been given.
“It all started with a contested decision by the referee. Then fans invaded the pitch,” one witness told AFP.
Videos and images on social media appear to show chaotic scenes outside the stadium, with large crowds attempting to climb over walls and numerous bodies on the ground.
The BBC has not been able to independently verify these videos.
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Regional authorities are working to “restore calm”, Prime Minister Bah said in a statement, and added that hospitals are aiding the injured.
Thousands of spectators were present when the crush happened at a match between Guinean teams N’zérékoré and Labé, local news website MediaGuinee reported.
It said Sunday’s match was part of a tournament in honour of President Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in September 2021.
One of the worst massacres in Guinea’s history also took place in a stadium.
In 2009, 156 people were killed after troops opened fire at an opposition rally at a stadium in the capital, Conakry.
Many were shot, stabbed, beaten or crushed in a stampede as security forces fired teargas and charged into the stadium. Scores of women were also raped.
Former military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity in connection with the massacre.
Dozens killed in crush at Guinea football match – reports
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