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
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Manchester United enjoyed a dominant performance in the EFL Cup, securing their biggest victory under manager Erik ten Hag with a crushing win over League One side Barnsley.
United sailed into the last-16 of the competition, delivering an emphatic 7-0 win.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and veteran midfielder Christian Eriksen each scored twice, while Brazilian winger Antony converted a first-half penalty, contributing to the rout.
This win marked United’s most significant victory since their 9-0 demolition of Southampton in February 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions kept the stands empty.
For Ten Hag, this match was a milestone as it was the first time his team scored five or more goals since his appointment. Eriksen’s late brace further added to the celebratory mood, capping a night that the Dutch manager described as “perfect.”
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“For the team, this is the perfect night,” said Ten Hag. “We did everything we planned—winning to reach the next round, scoring some great goals, entertaining the fans, and working on our game model, so we are happy.”
Despite the vocal support from Barnsley’s traveling fans, Darrell Clarke’s side was thoroughly outmatched.
Their most notable moment came when Clarke himself showed a brilliant touch to control a ball that had gone out of play, earning applause from both sets of supporters.
United also handed a first start to their £50.5 million signing, Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder looked assured throughout the game, giving Ten Hag confidence that his team is nearing the complete squad he envisioned when he took over in 2022.
Despite the victory, Ten Hag remains grounded. “I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool, and I’m not celebrating now. We will see where we are in May because then we have to be good,” he said, emphasizing the long-term goals for the season.
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Sports
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
A 51-year-old Irish Liverpool fan tragically lost his life on Monday night while attempting to cross the A4 highway near Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo, Italy.
Reports from multiple Italian media outlets indicate that the unnamed fan had just arrived in Italy from Manchester when he was struck by a vehicle.
Local authorities found the man’s body near the airport, with no sign of the two individuals who had accompanied him on the trip.
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According to the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, the deceased was a devoted Liverpool supporter and held a ticket for the highly anticipated Champions League match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the San Siro stadium.
The unfortunate incident occurred as he was trying to reach the NH Hotel, where he was set to stay before the big match.
Investigations are currently underway, and the tragic death of this Liverpool fan has cast a shadow over what was meant to be an exciting European adventure for supporters.
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Sports
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Saudi Arabian outfit, Al Nassr on Tuesday sacked Luis Castro as coach of the club.
The Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday that Castro had been dismissed from his role following weeks of speculation over his future.
“Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club,” read a club statement, posted on X.
“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”
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Castro, 63, leaves Al Nassr seventh in the Saudi Pro League, three games into the new season.
Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to take charge of the Saudi club instead, with a deal “on the verge” of being agreed.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
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