Madrid (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi scored for the seventh time in four LaLiga games as champions Barcelona scrapped their way to a hard-fought 2-1 win at Getafe on Sunday (Monday morning, Singapore time) that propelled them five points clear at the top of the table.
Messi, LaLiga's top scorer this season, opened his account for 2019 with his 16th goal, giving Barca a 20th minute lead as he tucked the ball into the net from a tight angle after his initial shot was saved by the legs of Getafe keeper David Soria.
It took the Argentine's career tally to a staggering 399 goals in LaLiga before Uruguay striker Luis Suarez doubled Barca's advantage in the 39th minute with a spectacular volley from outside the area.
Yet Getafe hit back two minutes before the interval with a close-range finish from striker Jaime Mata after a splendid team move and continued to push hard after the break.
Barca, who have won seven out of the last 10 La Liga titles, now lead the standings on 40 points after 18 games, stretching the gap to five points over their nearest pursuers Atletico Madrid, who drew 1-1 with third-placed Sevilla.
The Catalans are 10 points ahead of European champions Real Madrid, whose struggles continued with a 2-0 home defeat by Real Sociedad.
"We were aware of those results before going out on the pitch and were under pressure to make the most of the opportunity, and we went out to do that at a very difficult ground," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters.
"We expected it was going to be a tough game and it was. They got right back into the game with their goal but we are very happy. We've increased the gap with our rivals, but there's still a long way to go."
Getafe's Mata, who had an earlier first-half strike ruled out at 0-0 for an apparent foul by teammate Angel Rodriguez, missed a big chance in the second half, ballooning the ball over the bar with Barca's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen stranded.
Ter Stegen then made a flying save to keep out a powerful Leandro Cabrera header, while Soria also did well to prevent both Messi, hunting that landmark 400th goal, and French defender Clement Lenglet from stretching Barca's lead.
"These are the types of games that win you half the title, especially considering the other results before we played," said goalscorer Suarez.
"The other team play as well, and Getafe are very strong at home so it was very difficult. There were a lot of battles out there but it all stays on the pitch. We're feeling very positive, the title is in our own hands."
The Straits Times - Get latest breaking news, business, sports, lifestyle, tech & multimedia and more news in Singapore, Asia & rest of the world at straitstimes.com.
Croatia, Hungary win to pull away in Group E | SBS News
Qatar punished unwelcoming hosts United Arab Emirates 4-0 in a politically charged clash marred by disgraceful behavior from shoe-throwing fans Tuesday to reach their first Asian Cup final. The Qataris, whose national anthem was drowned by boos before the game, face Japan in Friday's final after
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Qatar reach final after routing UAE 4-0
MILAN (AFP) - Rising Italy star Moise Kean was targeted by racist abuse after he scored for Juventus on Tuesday (April 2) - but teammate Leonardo Bonucci blamed him for inciting the crowd at Cagliari.
Football: Kean scores for Juventus despite racial abuse but
Predicting award winners is always a fool's errand, but in the case of the 2019 Tony Awards, it feels even more foolish than usual. With few clear frontrunners in the night's biggest races
15 Dutch foods to try in Amsterdam | I amsterdam
Jun 01, 2018 · Mauricio Pochettino 'happy' at Spurs but keeps Real Madrid door open "I'm working very comfortably at Tottenham and it's my obligation to focus on that. Tottenham insist there is
Pochettino happy at Spurs but would 'have to listen' to any
LONDON: England soccer captain Harry Kane received the MBE award on Thursday for services to football after leading the national team to the World Cup semi-final in Russia last Summer. Prince William, the president of the English Football Association, presented the 25-year-old Tottenham striker with his medal at Buckingham Palace after Kane was
England soccer captain Kane honoured at Buckingham Palace
Over the last 23 years, Chelsea have consistently signed big-name players on their way to four Premier League titles. Sportsmail looks at the 10 best and 10 worst of a big-spending era in blue.
Luis Suárez scores twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid to
More than 52,000 teachers and principals went on strike yesterday across New Zealand. It was one of the country's biggest-ever strikes. In fact, the one-day walkout was an historic event
Welcome to Strikes For Kids - Home
Nov 14, 2014 · SAO PAULO (AP) — A Brazilian hospital says Pele is "recovering well" after undergoing surgery to remove kidney stones. The Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement Friday that the 74-year
Pele 'recovering well' after kidney stones surgery - Yahoo Sports
Football: Valencia to face Barca in Copa final after seeing off Betis Valencia's forward Rodrigo Moreno (second right) celebrates with team mates after scoring. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Soccer: Valencia to face Barca in Copa final after seeing off
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon LYON, France (Reuters) - Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their Champions League last-16 first leg on
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Olympique
This is only the start for Reds: Klopp. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is thrown in the air by the players as they celebrate after winning the Champions League on June 1, 2019.
This is only the start for Reds: Klopp - theworldnews.net
0 comments:
Post a Comment