Lionel Messi’s strike from a freekick helped Barcelona to a 10 win over secondplaced Atletico Madrid.
Lionel Messi again came to Barcelona’s rescue as his strike from a freekick, 25 yards out, gave his side a vital 10 home win over title rival Atletico Madrid. “If Messi had been wearing an Atletico shirt, we would have won,” Diego Simeone, the Atletico manager, said.
The Argentinian forward’s 600th career goal opened up an eightpoint lead for Barcelona at the top of the table with 11 rounds left to play. Messi dipped a shot over the wall in the 26th minute to take his leagueleading tally to 24 this season and 32 in all competitions. It was his sixth goal from a freekick this season, and his third straight after successful freekicks against Girona and Las Palmas.
Virtually conceding the league title, Simeone said: “The numbers are what they are. Barcelona wouldn’t normally lose four or five games in what they have left. But this is football, and we have to go out there to win the next match and think about how we can continue to improve.”
It was not all positive for the Catalan leaders, however, with midfielder Andres Iniesta substituted in the first half due to a hamstring injury in his right leg. Iniesta walked off the pitch in the 36th minute.
Barcelona's most difficult matches now should be away at Sevilla and at home against thirdplaced Real Madrid, which secured a 3-1 victory over 10man Getafe, and fourth-placed Valencia.
Chelsea, Arsenal slip further
Esta historia es de la edición March 24, 2018 de Sportstar.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 24, 2018 de Sportstar.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
