Barcelona - NouCamp Faithful

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Murcia : Barcelona reach Copa del Rey last 16 with rout of Murcia

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 8-0 on agg)

Barcelona swept into the last 16 of the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 win over Real Murcia at the Camp Nou.

La Liga's leaders were already 3-0 up from the first leg, and despite the predicted sweeping changes, Ernesto Valverde's men never looked in any danger of failing to finish the job.

Paca Alcacer headed Barcelona into the lead on 15 minutes, with Gerard Pique making it 2-0 early in the second half before Aleix Vidal, Denis Suarez and substitute Jose Arnaiz completed the rout.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 2 Celta Vigo : Barcelona thwarted in Celta Vigo thriller

Barcelona failed to stretch their lead at the top of the Liga table to seven points as Celta Vigo held them to a 2-2 draw in a fine match at the Bernabeu.

The visitors stunned the Camp Nou after 20 minutes when Daniel Wass and Iago Aspas combined to set up Maxi Gomez, who was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen only for Aspas to volley home the rebound.

Their lead, however, lasted less than two minutes as Luis Suarez and Paulinho set up the unmarked Messi to finish past Ruben Blanco.

Barcelona hit the front just after the hour when Suarez touched home a low Jordi Alba cross, and almost made it 3-1 within moments when Messi's header was superbly saved by Blanco.

Twenty minutes from time, however, the scores were level again as Iago Aspas raced down the right, Samuel Umtiti appearing to pull a hamstring as he tried to track him, and his cutback was smashed into the roof of the net by Maxi Gomes.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Sporting Lisbon : Barcelona finish UCL Group D campaign with victory

Barcelona completed their Champions League Group D campaign with a 2-0 win over Sporting Lisbon at the Camp Nou.

With the La Liga leaders already qualified as group winners and a testing trip to Villarreal ahead on Sunday, coach Ernesto Valverde made the expected wholesale changes as talisman Lionel Messi started on the bench.

After a lacklustre first half, Barcelona broke the deadlock after 59 minutes when Paco Alcacer headed in from a corner and former Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu netted an own goal in stoppage time, which left Sporting having to be content with a Europa League spot after finishing behind Juventus.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Villarreal 0 - 2 Barcelona : Suarez, Messi goals restore Barcelona's cushion

Barcelona seized on the second-half dismissal of Dani Raba to beat Villarreal 2-0 and restore their five-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday night.

Ernesto Valverde's men had struggled to break down their opponents at the Estadio de la Ceramica until Raba's dismissal on the hour for a foul on Sergio Busquets changed the course of the game.

Luis Suarez gave the visitors a 72nd-minute lead and Lionel Messi turned on the style with a brilliant second goal seven minutes from time to seal the points for the title favourites.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 0 Deportivo La Coruña : Suarez, Paulinho both score twice as Barcelona thrash Depor

Luis Suarez and Paulinho each scored twice as Barcelona tuned up for next week's Clasico with a handsome 4-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

With a trip to Real Madrid coming on Dec. 23, Barca overwhelmed their visitors at the Nou Camp, with all four finishes coming inside the six-yard box and enough good chances to have at least doubled their eventual tally.

Lionel Messi somehow failed to join his teammates on the scoresheet, hitting the woodwork on three separate occasions and missing several inviting chances including a second-half penalty saved by Ruben Martinez.

Victory puts Ernesto Valverde's side two wins clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and 11 points ahead of Real with a game in hand.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Madrid 0 - 3 Barcelona : Suarez, Messi score as Barcelona beat 10-man Real Madrid

Barcelona moved 14 points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga as three second-half goals wrapped up a convincing 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane's men had the better of a tight first period but Barcelona took control in the second and Luis Suarez swept home the opener before a Lionel Messi penalty took the game beyond Real.

It was a strange spot kick award by referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, who could simply have awarded a goal rather than a penalty after Dani Carvajal handled on the line but then knocked the ball in as he lost his footing. The decision also saw Carvajal sent off.

Substitute Aleix Vidal added a third in stoppage time, and the title now looks almost certain to return to the Nou Camp as La Liga prepares to enter its winter break.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Celta Vigo 1 - 1 Barcelona : Dembele returns but Barca settle for draw

(1st Leg)

Barcelona's record signing Ousmane Dembele made his long-awaited return from injury as the Catalan giants drew the first leg of their Copa del Rey round-of-16 tie with Celta Vigo 1-1.

Dembele had been sidelined since September after suffering a hamstring injury in just his third appearance for the club following his move from Borussia Dortmund.

He was given the all-clear to return to action earlier this week, though, and came on for the final 20 minutes against Celta at Balaidos.

The 20-year-old Frenchman was unable to find a winner on the night, but Barca -- looking to win the cup for a fourth successive year -- will nevertheless be optimistic of progressing to the quarterfinals in next Thursday's second leg at the Camp Nou.

Ernesto Valverde's men had enough chances to have finished the tie off this evening, but in the end only had Jose Arnaiz's 15th-minute strike to show for their efforts.

Barca B striker Arnaiz, leading the attack in the absence of star names Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, scored in his third successive cup appearance when he finished off a low cross from Andre Gomes.

That lead lasted just 16 minutes, however, before Celta drew level through Pione Sisto's thunderous finish.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Levante : Messi and Suarez net in Barcelona win

Lionel Messi marked his 400th LaLiga appearance with an early goal as leaders Barcelona beat Levante 3-0 at the Nou Camp to restore their nine-point advantage.

Philippe Coutinho has headed to Catalonia to complete the formalities of his £142 million transfer from Liverpool, but it remained business as usual for Ernesto Valverde's men on Sunday afternoon as Messi opened the scoring after 12 minutes.

In-form Luis Suarez, who himself left Anfield for the Nou Camp during the summer of 2014, added a second before the break and Paulinho tapped in a late third as the Blaugrana consolidated first place ahead of Atletico Madrid, who had beaten Getafe on Saturday.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 0 Celta Vigo : Messi stars with brace as Barcelona cruise

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 6-1 on agg)

Lionel Messi scored twice as holders Barcelona cruised into the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 victory over Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou on Thursday night.

The tie was delicately poised at 1-1 after a first leg in which Celta played extremely well against, admittedly, an under-strength Barca team but Ernesto Valverde recalled the likes of Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi for the return match and the Catalans blitzed their opponents with an utterly dominant first-half display.

Messi scored two quick goals and then set up Alba before Suarez netted the fourth goal with just 31 minutes on the clock.

Barcelona took their foot off the pedal in the second half and Ivan Rakitic completed the scoring three minutes from time.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Sociedad 2 - 4 Barcelona : Luis Suarez nets brace as Barca rally from behind

Barcelona fought back from two goals down at Real Sociedad to secure their first La Liga win at Anoeta in 11 years as the leaders kept their unbeaten record intact.

Barca had lost five of their previous seven La Liga games at Sociedad and were trailing 2-0 when Willian Jose's header and Juanmi's deflected strike put the hosts in charge.

Paulinho pulled one back before half-time and Luis Suarez turned the game on its head with a brace, the first a brilliant chipped finish, before Lionel Messi converted a long-range free kick to earn Barca a battling 4-2 victory.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Espanyol 1 - 0 Barcelona : Messi misses penalty, Barca suffer rare loss

(1st Leg)

Lionel Messi missed a penalty as Barcelona's 29-match unbeaten record came to a shuddering halt at rivals Espanyol.

Messi saw his spot-kick saved by Diego Lopez before Espanyol sub Oscar Melendo scored a memorable winner two minutes from time in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal.

Barcelona went into the game on the back of an impressive comeback victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga and eager to extend their undefeated run to 30 games.

But Melendo's late heroics secured a memorable 1-0 win for the hosts, their first over Barca since 2009.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Betis 0 - 5 Barcelona : Messi and Suarez both score twice as Barca thrash Real Betis

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez produced a finishing masterclass as Barcelona launched a second-half blitz at Real Betis to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga table to 11 points.

Ivan Rakitic started the ball rolling as the hour-mark approached while Messi and Suarez joined him on the scoresheet within the next 10 minutes.

The Argentina international saved his best for the last 10 minutes, adding a superb individual effort and then setting up Suarez for his second in similar fashion to help Barca claim a sixth successive league win courtesy of a 5-0 romp.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Espanyol : Barcelona hold off Espanyol as Coutinho debuts in Copa win

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 2-1 on agg)

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored the goals as Barcelona's established stars kept new signing Philippe Coutinho out of the limelight in qualifying for the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a 2-0 win over city rivals Espanyol.

Barcelona were behind after the first leg but went through 2-1 on aggregate thanks to first-half goals from Suarez and Messi.

They join Valencia, Sevilla and Leganes in the last four, the latter after they had dumped Real Madrid out of the competition on Wednesday evening.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Alavés : Barca use second-half rally to beat Alaves, stay unbeaten in La Liga

Lionel Messi scored a stunning late free kick as Barcelona came from behind to beat Alaves and maintain their unbeaten start to LaLiga.

The visitors were defending well after John Guidetti's fortuitous opener had put them ahead but they could not hang on as Luis Suarez levelled before Messi curled home a set piece to secure an unconvincing 2-1 win.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Valencia : Suarez goal gives Barcelona first-leg victory

(1st Leg)

Barcelona are in pole position to reach a fifth consecutive Copa del Rey final after Luis Suarez's winner saw off Valencia 1-0 at the Nou Camp.

The former Liverpool striker finally made Barca's dominance count in the 67th minute of the semifinal first leg.

Valencia were hammered 7-0 in this fixture last season, a game which former England defender Gary Neville was in charge for, but produced a spirited performance this time around to ensure they head into the return leg within touching distance.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Espanyol 1 - 1 Barcelona : Gerard Pique scores as Barcelona draw with Espanyol, extend unbeaten run

Barcelona needed a late header from Gerard Pique to earn a 1-1 draw at city rivals Espanyol on Sunday -- and a new club record.

Gerard Moreno threatened a La Liga upset in the rain at RCDE Stadium when he opened the scoring midway through the second half with a header from substitute Sergio Garcia's cross.

However, central defender Pique headed home an 82nd-minute Lionel Messi free kick to stretch the runaway leaders' unbeaten start to the season to 22 games, the best run in the club's history.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Valencia 0 - 2 Barcelona : Coutinho goal helps Barcelona reach fifth straight Copa del Rey final

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 3-0 on agg))

Record signing Philippe Coutinho came off the bench to score his first goal for Barcelona as they reached the Copa del Rey final with a 2-0 win at Valencia, progressing 3-0 on aggregate.

Coutinho was brought off the bench at half-time for his fifth appearance since his £142 million switch from Liverpool last month and scored four minutes after the restart, sending the ball into the corner of the net having slid to meet Luis Suarez's cross.

Ivan Rakitic, also teed up by Suarez, then added the visitors' second in the 82nd minute to secure progress to a showdown against Sevilla in what will be defending champions Barcelona's fifth consecutive Copa del Rey final.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Getafe : Barcelona held at home

Barcelona maintained their unbeaten record in La Liga but drew for the second league game in succession as Getafe held the leaders to a goalless stalemate at the Nou Camp.

The hosts failed to register a shot on target during the first half, when Luis Suarez had a goal correctly ruled out for offside.

Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made a fine save in stoppage time to prevent Suarez heading in a late winner as Barca missed out on the chance to re-establish their nine-point lead at the top.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Eibar 0 - 2 Barcelona : Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba help Barcelona win away

La Liga leaders Barcelona warmed up for their Champions League clash against Chelsea with a 2-0 win at Eibar, who finished with 10 men and manager Jose Luis Mendilibar sent to the stands.

Luis Suarez put the visitors in front after 16 minutes, latching on to a sweeping pass from Lionel Messi, before Eibar winger Fabian Orellana hit the crossbar.

The Chilean was, though, sent off on 66 minutes for punching the ball away, before Mendilibar - taking charge of his 100th LaLiga game with Eibar - was dismissed for protesting to the fourth official and Jordi Alba added a late second.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Chelsea 1 - 1 Barcelona : Lionel Messi's goal gives Barcelona draw at Chelsea

(1st Leg)

Lionel Messi broke his goal duck against Chelsea to deny Antonio Conte's side a crucial lead over Barcelona in their Champions League showdown.

The Argentina international superstar had not scored in his previous eight meetings against the Blues, but he put that anomaly right with 15 minutes left to secure a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had gone ahead through Willian, who had earlier been twice denied by a post.

But Blues boss Conte, who revealed he had experienced trouble sleeping ahead of the match, will be having nightmares about the equaliser with his side unable to hold on for a crucial advantage to take to the Nou Camp for the second leg in three weeks.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 6 - 1 Girona : Lionel Messi stellar in Barcelona win as Luis Suarez nets hat trick

Luis Suarez fired a hat-trick and Lionel Messi a brace as Barcelona ran riot in a 6-1 win against Girona to stay on course for their 25th La Liga title.

Suarez and Messi both struck first-half doubles to take the game away from Girona, who paid for the impudence of taking a third-minute lead through Portu in their first visit to the Nou Camp.

Philippe Coutinho got in on the act in the second period with a brilliant fifth from 25 yards -- his first La Liga goal -- before Suarez, who also hit a post, completed his hat trick.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Las Palmas 1 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona draw after Las Palmas net controversial penalty

Barcelona dropped points for the third time in their last five La Liga games as they drew 1-1 at struggling Las Palmas.

Ernesto Valverde's team remain unbeaten in their domestic division but now own just a five-point advantage ahead of hosting second-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

They went ahead through Lionel Messi's free kick yet a controversially-awarded penalty, either for Sergi Roberto's tug on Matias Aguirregaray or a Lucas Digne handball, was converted by Jonathan Calleri as Las Palmas claimed a point against Barca for the first time since 2002.

The decision was the first penalty to be whistled against Barcelona in La Liga since February 2016, 79 matches ago.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Atletico Madrid : Lionel Messi scores 600th goal

Lionel Messi's 600th career goal sank Atletico Madrid 1-0 and ensured Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points.

Messi scored from a free kick as Barca edged past their nearest rivals to take a huge stride towards regaining the title.

Atletico had clawed back the lead to just five points but could not secure a victory that would have reduced the deficit to two.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Málaga 0 - 2 Barcelona : Suarez, Coutinho score as Messi-less Barcelona open 11-point lead

Barcelona tightened their grip at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 win at bottom club Malaga, who played for an hour with 10 men.

Even without star man Lionel Messi, who was with his wife following the birth of their third son, Barcelona had too much for the hosts.

Luis Suarez headed in a fine opener after 15 minutes before Philippe Coutinho added a second with a neat flick and Malaga midfielder Samuel Garcia saw red following a rash tackle from behind on Jordi Alba.

The comfortable victory leaves Barca 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid, who host Celta Vigo on Sunday.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Chelsea : Lionel Messi gets 100th UCL goal

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 4-1 on agg)

Two goals from Lionel Messi -- one the fastest of his career and the other his 100th in the Champions League -- helped Barcelona beat Chelsea 3-0 at the Camp Nou and advance to the quarterfinals 4-1 on aggregate.

The scoreline was harsh on Chelsea, who created sustained spells of pressure but were unable to find the sort of cutting edge displayed by Messi and Ousmane Dembele, the home side's other scorer.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[SnowLeopards]

Chelsea was by miles the better team and Barcelona certainly did not deserve to progress.

Hope the team has the same luck in the upcoming matches.

Pierre.

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Athletic Bilbao : Lionel Messi again reaches 25 league goals

Lionel Messi scored for the sixth consecutive game in all competitions as Barcelona tightened their grip in the title race with a 2-0 La Liga win over Athletic Bilbao.

Messi reached 25 league goals for the ninth consecutive season and took his tally in all competitions to 38 with a fine finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Paco Alcácer had already given the hosts the lead at the Camp Nou, and the leaders went on to canter to a routine victory against an Athletic side grateful they were not more soundly beaten.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 2 - 2 Barcelona : Lionel Messi nets last-minute Barcelona equaliser in draw

Lionel Messi came off the bench to net a stunning last-minute equaliser as La Liga leaders Barcelona fought back from two-goals down to draw 2-2 at Sevilla.

Coach Ernesto Valverde had opted to start without Messi, who has been carrying a hamstring problem, on the bench, but it was defensive frailties which were brutally exposed at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Franco Vazquez fired the home side, who are chasing a top-five finish, into the lead after 36 minutes and there looked no way back when Colombia forward Luis Muriel added another early in the second half.

Barca's talisman was sent on for the last 30 minutes and after Sevilla had missed several chances to kill off the match, Luis Suarez set up a grandstand finish before Messi clipped in a dramatic equaliser.

The draw saw Valverde's men extend their unbeaten La Liga run to 37 matches and edged them closer to regaining the title.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[ThisIsMelwood]

Roma send Barcelona out of Champions League: 'Debacle', 'ridicule', 'fall of an empire'

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43720569

I was stumped by Barcelona exit with Messi and Suarez in the team.

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 1 AS Roma : Two Roma own goals help Barcelona to home victory in first leg

(1st Leg)

A pair of own goals helped Barcelona take a major step toward the Champions League semifinals with a 4-1 win over Roma at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez added second-half goals either side of Edin Dzeko's response for Roma as Barcelona grabbed the advantage after the first leg of the quarterfinal.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Leganes : Barcelona tie La Liga record as Lionel Messi hat trick downs Leganes

Lionel Messi fired a hat trick as Barcelona took another big step towards the La Liga title with a 3-1 home win against Leganes.

Messi opened the scoring with a fine free kick, struck his second before half-time and sealed the win in the closing stages with his 39th goal of the season in all competitions after Nabil El Zhar had pulled one back.

Ernesto Valverde's side moved 12 points clear at the top of the table, extended their unbeaten league run this season to 31 matches and equalled Real Sociedad's 38-year-old record of 38 La Liga games without defeat.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

AS Roma 3 - 0 Barcelona : Barcelona crash out of Champions League after shock loss to Roma

(2nd Leg : Tied 4-4 on agg. AS Roma wins on away goals rule))

Barcelona suffered a shock Champions League defeat at the hands of Roma, losing 3-0 in their quarterfinal second leg at the Stadio Olimpico to go out 4-4 on aggregate thanks to an away goal for the Serie A side in the first leg.

Kostas Manolas scored the late goal that handed Barcelona just their fourth loss of the season in all competitions and first in the Champions League this campaign, while ending any hopes of a Treble for Ernesto Valverde's team.

Trailing 4-1 after the first leg, Roma went ahead on the night after six minutes as Edin Dzeko latched on to Daniele De Rossi's long-range pass before poking the ball beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

De Rossi doubled their lead from the penalty spot after Dzeko had been brought down in the box early in the second half and Kostas Manolas headed in late on to clinch Roma's spot in the final four.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Roma send Barcelona out of Champions League: 'Debacle', 'ridicule', 'fall of an empire'

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43720569

I was stumped by Barcelona exit with Messi and Suarez in the team.

I was even more stumped with AS Roma impressive fightback!

They didn't play too badly in the 1st Leg at Camp Nou. Was unlucky with the two own goals.

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Valencia : Barcelona beat Valencia to set new La Liga record unbeaten streak

Barcelona broke a 38-year-old La Liga record on Saturday as they extended their unbeaten streak in Spain's top flight to 39 games by beating Valencia 2-1 at the Camp Nou.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring with 15 minutes on the clock before Samuel Umtiti doubled the lead early in the second half as Barca bounced back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Roma.

Daniel Parejo pulled a goal for the visitors from the penalty spot in the closing moments, but that couldn't stop Barca sealing a win that stretches their lead over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table to 14 points.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Celta Vigo 2 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona settle for draw at Celta Vigo after Sergi Roberto sent off

Barcelona's charge towards the La Liga title was held up after a much-changed side was held to a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo, where Sergi Roberto was sent off with his side's first league red card in over a year.

With one eye on Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Sevilla, Ernesto Valverde started with both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench while Gerard Pique and Andreas Iniesta were rested.

Ousmane Dembele fired Barca ahead with his first La Liga goal before defender Jonny Castro Otto equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Paco Alcacer put the visitors ahead again just after the hour, by which time Messi had been sent on, but Roberto saw red on 71 minutes for pulling down Iago Aspas, who made it 2-2 with eight minutes left.

Celta substitute Lucas Boye saw a late effort cleared off the line as Barca held out to extend their unbeaten run to 40 matches and move 12 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Barcelona also set a new La Liga record by going 33 games unbeaten to start a season.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 0 - 5 Barcelona : Suarez scores twice as Barcelona thrash Sevilla in the Copa del Rey

Barcelona won their fourth successive Copa del Rey with a merciless 5-0 thrashing of Sevilla as departing hero Andres Iniesta joined the usual suspects on the scoresheet.

Luis Suarez netted twice in the first half, Lionel Messi grabbed his 40th of the season and Philippe Coutinho marked his first final for the club with a successful penalty, but it was a rare strike from Iniesta which drew the broadest smiles in a one-sided romp at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The Spanish great is set to depart for China at the end of the campaign and he showed characteristic timing by popping up with a delicate effort before tearing up following an emotional tribute from the Barca faithful.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Deportivo La Coruña 2 - 4 Barcelona : Lionel Messi nets hat trick as Barcelona claim La Liga title; Deportivo La Coruna relegated

Lionel Messi put the icing on the cake as Barcelona clinched the La Liga title with a 4-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, who were relegated.

Barca went into the match knowing a point would be enough to see them regain the trophy with four matches still to play.

They did not have things all their own way against a spirited Depor, who fought back to level through Lucas Perez and Emre Colak after Philippe Coutinho and Messi had put Barca 2-0 up.

Depor were forced to push forward knowing only victory would be enough to keep their survival hopes alive and they paid the price as Messi added two late goals to complete the 46th hat trick of his career.

The on-pitch celebrations were muted, perhaps out of respect for their dejected opponents, but Barca, who remain unbeaten in the league, cannot be denied a seventh title in 10 seasons.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 2 Real Madrid : Real Madrid rally for draw against 10-man Barcelona with late Bale goal

Gareth Bale's equaliser helped Real Madrid rally for a 2-2 draw against 10-man Barcelona in a combative affair on Sunday night at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona were on the front foot from the off and found their opener on 10 minutes when Luis Suarez smashed a first-time volley from an inch-perfect Sergi Roberto cross past Keylor Navas.

But Real struck back before the quarter-hour through Cristiano Ronaldo, who tapped home a headed Karim Benzema pass from close range after some nice build-up play from Zinedine Zidane's team.

The strike from Ronaldo put the Portuguese level with Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano for the second-most Clasico goals of all-time at 18. Lionel Messi has the most with 25.

The match grew testy as the first half wore on, with Messi handed a yellow card for a hard tackle on Sergio Ramos and Roberto being shown straight red for violent conduct after throwing a punch at Marcelo before half-time.

Down to 10 men, Barcelona took the lead against the run of play when Suarez picked out Messi at the top of the Madrid penalty area and the Argentine took two touches to his left and curled a shot in at the near post to make the score 2-1.

Messi nearly had his second on 70 minutes, but Navas did well to keep hs shot out after Suarez had sprung him behind the Madrid defence.

And the miss would prove costly for Barca when Bale scored with a spectacular first-time shot two minutes later, curling the ball around Marc-Andre ter Stegen from a Marco Asensio assist.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 1 Villarreal : Andres Iniesta shines as Barcelona down Villarreal, stay unbeaten

Andres Iniesta provided two world-class assists and Ousmane Dembele added two late goals as La Liga champions Barcelona saw off Villarreal 5-1 on Wednesday to maintain their quest for an unbeaten domestic league season.

After Villarreal gave Barcelona the guard of honour that Real Madrid had denied them on Sunday, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho scored in the opening 16 minutes to put Barcelona comfortably in front, before Iniesta found Messi just before the break and Dembele added a pair of goals late on.

The visitors got a goal back in the 54th minute when Pablo Fornals was given space in the box to shoot, and his strike deflected off the back of teammate Nicola Sansone and into the net.

Dembele produced his best performance since arriving from Borussia Dortmund for £135.5 million last summer to finish with two goals having left Villarreal defenders in his wake all night.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Levante 5 - 4 Barcelona : Barcelona's quest to finish La Liga season unbeaten ends in surprise loss

Barcelona's quest for an unbeaten La Liga season came to a shocking end with a 5-4 defeat away to Levante on Sunday.

Barca wrapped up the league title two weeks ago, but coach Ernesto Valverde said his team were focused on becoming the first Spanish side to go unbeaten through an entire league campaign since Real Madrid did it in 1931-32, when the season lasted only 18 games.

But Levante, who had not beaten Barcelona in the league since 1964, ended the champions' dream in the second-to-last game of the season as Emmanuel Boateng recorded a hat trick.

Philippe Coutinho scored three goals in an attempt to rally his side, which had left Lionel Messi out of the squad, and Luis Suarez added a 71st-minute penalty, but the comeback came up short, ending Barcelona's run of 43 games unbeaten dating to last season.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Mamelodi Sundowns 1 - 3 Barcelona : Lionel Messi returns as Barcelona seal victory in friendly

Lionel Messi came on as a second-half substitute as Barcelona beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in a friendly in Johannesburg on Wednesday as part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebrations.

Messi was rested for Sunday's surprise loss to Levante, which denied Barca an unbeaten league campaign in their penultimate fixture, provoking criticism of coach Ernesto Valverde.

Ousmane Dembele had given them the lead within three minutes, making the most of a defensive error to curl home expertly from the edge of the box.

The Spanish champions then doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Denis Suarez fed his namesake, Luis Suarez, who made no mistake when one-on-one with Denis Onyango.

Valverde made 11 changes at half-time, with injured duo Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti the only first-team players not to feature. One of the substitutes, Andre Gomes, added Barca's third after good work by Paco Alcacer.

Messi was then introduced but was a spectator as Sibusiso Vilakazi pulled one back for Sundowns, getting the better of Jasper Cillessen after managing to stay onside.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad : Barcelona beat Real Sociedad in Andres Iniesta's final game

Andres Iniesta's final Barcelona appearance ended in victory on an emotional evening at the Nou Camp.

La Liga champions Barca, who lost their unbeaten record in a 5-4 loss at Levante last week, responded with a 28th win of the season, defeating Real Sociedad 1-0.

Former Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho, scorer of a hat trick a week ago, netted the only goal on a night which belonged to Iniesta.

The Spain playmaker was substituted after 81 minutes and received a rapturous reception as he bade farewell to the stage he has graced for so long and so successfully.

The 34-year-old will leave the club this summer 22 years after joining their academy, having won 32 major honours including four Champions League titles and nine La Liga titles. He took his time to depart, embracing teammates and soaking in the adoration.

There were 84,168 spectators at the Nou Camp and prior to kick-off a mosaic was formed, turning Iniesta's number eight on its side to form the infinity symbol.

https://media-public.fcbarcelona.com/20157/0/document_thumbnail/20197/111/221/225/81911151/1.0-10/81911151.jpg?t=1525642014000

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur : Malcom scores winning spot-kick as Barcelona beat Tottenham on penalties

(Barcelona wins 5-3 on pen)

New signing Malcom scored the winning spot-kick on his Barcelona debut as the La Liga champions beat Tottenham on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.

The Brazilian rolled home from the spot just four days after joining the club from in a €41 million deal from Bordeaux after Anthony Georgiou had missed for Spurs.

It had been a tale of two halves at the Rose Bowl, with first-half goals from Munir El Haddadi and Arthur Melo easing Barca into a comfortable lead.

However, Ernesto Valverde's decision to make eight changes at the break allowed Spurs to get back into the match and they levelled thanks to efforts from Son Heung-Min and Georges-Kevin N'Koudou.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 4 AS Roma : Malcom impresses but Roma and Florenzi fight back to beat Barcelona

Roma came from behind to beat Barcelona 4-2 in the International Champions Cup at AT&T Stadium but not before Malcom had given them a taste of what they missed out on.

A flurry of late goals from Alessandro Florenzi, Bryan Cristante and Diego Perotti helped the Italians recover from 2-1 down as they took full advantage of Barca's changes in the latter stages of the game.

Ernesto Valverde had made 10 outfield substitutions by the time Florenzi levelled the match at 2-2 and the Barca coach will be happy with what he saw before he brought on the club's B team players -- especially from new signing Malcom.

Making his first start for his new club, Malcom impressed in a Barca side which was without Lionel Messi and the other players that took part in this summer's World Cup.

After Stephan El Shaarawy had cancelled out Rafinha's early opener, the script was written for Malcom to restore Barca's lead after good work from Ballou Tabla.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

AC Milan 1 - 0 Barcelona : Andre Silva wins match for AC Milan on last kick

Andre Silva scored with the last kick of the game as AC Milan punished Barcelona for failing to take their chances in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.

Riqui Puig had just missed a golden chance to win it for Barca when Milan countered, with Franck Kessie feeding substitute Silva to net the winning goal in a 1-0 victory at Levi's Stadium in stoppage time.

Barca had been the better side for large patches of the match before that but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 1 - 2 Barcelona : Late Ousmane Dembele goal hands Barcelona Spanish Super Cup crown

Barcelona lifted the Spanish Super Cup for a record-extending 13th time by coming from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 on Sunday thanks to a stunning strike from France winger Ousmane Dembele and a penalty save in stoppage time from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

King's Cup runners-up Sevilla took a surprise lead in the traditional curtain-raiser to the season against Barcelona when Pablo Sarabia fired home in the ninth minute after Luis Muriel had powered his way through the Barca defence.

Gerard Pique levelled for Barca shortly before half-time by pouncing on the rebound after Lionel Messi's free kick had ricocheted off the post, while Sevilla's Franco Vazquez glanced a header off the crossbar in the second half in Tangier, Morocco.

The competition, which ditched its traditional two-legged format and was also played outside Spain for the first time, looked to be headed for extra-time until Dembele let fly from outside the area and his shot thumped in off the crossbar in the 78th minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Boca Juniors : Lionel Messi, Malcom score as Barcelona beat Boca Juniors in Joan Gamper trophy match

Barcelona eased to a 3-0 win over Boca Juniors in the annual Joan Gamper trophy match at Camp Nou on Wednesday, with goals from Malcom, Lionel Messi and Rafinha leading the way.

A crowd of over 70,000 saw a strong Barca side establish a two-goal lead by the break thanks to efforts from €41 million summer signing Malcom and newly-appointed club captain Messi.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde made eight changes at half-time, handing a Camp Nou debut to teenager Riqui Puig, whose smart turn allowed Malcom to go close again.

Rafinha, who's had a fine preseason, then added Barcelona's third, playing a neat one-two with Luis Suarez before lifting the ball over Andrada and volleying into an empty net.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Alavés : Messi's brace lifts Barcelona to season-opening win

La Liga champions Barcelona began the new campaign with a 3-0 win over Alaves on Saturday with the help of a spectacular under-the-wall free kick from Lionel Messi, who scored twice, and a curling shot from substitute Philippe Coutinho.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Valladolid 0 - 1 Barcelona : Ousmane Dembele, VAR replay help Barcelona keep perfect La Liga start

A last-minute VAR decision helped Barcelona secure an unconvincing 1-0 La Liga win over newly-promoted Valladolid on Saturday.

After Ousmane Dembele gave the champions a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute, Keko thought he had snatched a stoppage-time equaliser for Valladolid but was denied the goal as the video assistant referee ruled that the winger had netted from an offside position.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 8 - 2 Huesca : Barcelona hit eight past Huesca with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez braces

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored twice each as La Liga champions Barcelona turned on the style to hammer Huesca 8-2 on Sunday and join Real Madrid as the only teams in the league to win their opening three games.

Top-flight debutants Huesca took a shock early lead in their first league visit to the Nou Camp when Colombian forward Cucho Hernandez deflected the ball in from point-blank range but Messi soon dampened the celebrations of the visiting supporters by cannoning a shot in off the post to level in the 16th.

An own goal from Jorge Pulido gave Barca the lead and Suarez extended it by scoring for the first time in five games in all competitions after the video assistant referee (VAR) overturned an offside call from the linesman.

Huesca's Alex Gallar pulled one back before half-time to make it 3-2, but any hope of a revival from the visitors was soon killed off by three Barca goals in 11 minutes from Ousmane Dembele, Ivan Rakitic and another strike from Messi.

Jordi Alba capped a brilliant performance to score the seventh after setting up two of the earlier goals, while Suarez added No. 8 with a penalty in stoppage time as Messi turned down the chance to complete a hat trick, offering the spot kick to the Uruguayan instead.

The thrashing lifted Barca above Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings on goal difference after three games, with the Catalans scoring 12 and conceding two while Real have netted 10 and conceded twice.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Sociedad 1 - 2 Barcelona : Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele score as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad

Barcelona rode their luck to come from behind and win 2-1 at Real Sociedad on Saturday, continuing to banish their awful record in San Sebastian and maintaining their perfect start to the La Liga season.

The champions fell behind following a thumping shot from Aritz Elustondo in the 12th minute from a set piece.

They also survived a mini onslaught from the home side in the second half before Luis Suarez levelled in the 63rd with a scrappy goal and Ousmane Dembele gave them a barely deserved lead three minutes later.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 0 PSV Eindhoven : Lionel Messi sets Champions League hat-trick record as Barcelona ease past PSV

Lionel Messi scored a record-setting hat trick as Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign in Group B with an impressive 4-0 win against PSV Eindhoven at the Camp Nou.

The hosts open the scoring just past the half-hour mark when Messi curled in an unstoppable free kick from just outside the penalty area after Ousmane Dembele was fouled following a hard-charging run from midfield.

Dembele, who had been rampant throughout, scored Barcelona's second by completing a slick run through PSV's back line with an even better finish and Messi added his team's third with a cool first-time shot from an Ivan Rakitic pass over the top of the visitor's defence.

Suarez then teed up Messi for his third as the Argentina international calmly slotted home from 10 yards away to put the result even further out of reach.

The hat trick was Messi's eighth in the Champions League, breaking a tie with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most in tournament history.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 2 Girona : Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique score to give Barcelona 2-2 draw with Girona

Barcelona's 100 percent winning start to the season came to a halt on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 La Liga draw by Girona on Sunday, having been reduced to playing the final 55 minutes with 10 men.

The result meant they lost their two-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the table, with both teams on 13 points after five games.

Lionel Messi gave the champions the lead in the 19th minute with a first-time shot after a lay off from Chile international Arturo Vidal and came close to doubling the lead after dancing through a maze of defenders but saw his shot saved.

Barca's strong start was derailed when defender Clement Lenglet was sent off 35 minutes into his first league start for the club after elbowing Pere Pons, and Girona took advantage right before the interval when Cristhian Stuani levelled.

Uruguayan striker Stuani struck again in the 51st to give Girona, only playing their second season in Spain's top flight, an unlikely lead.

The Catalans continued to dominate proceedings despite their numerical disadvantage, and they almost equalised when Messi sent a free kick crashing against the crossbar.

Gerard Pique headed in the leveller in the 63rd minute by climbing above two defenders to meet a scrappy, deflected cross from Luis Suarez after coach Ernesto Valverde had thrown on Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho for the underperforming Vidal and Arthur.

Girona coped admirably with Barca's onslaught for the remainder of the game, keeping their heads under the pressure and forcing the champions to resort to long range shots which failed to trouble impressive visiting goalkeeper Bono.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Leganes 2 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona drop first game of La Liga season in shock defeat

La Liga leaders Barcelona slumped to a shock first loss of the season on Wednesday, suffering a 2-1 defeat at struggling Leganes after conceding twice in two second-half minutes as coach Ernesto Valverde's squad rotation backfired.

Philippe Coutinho gave the champions the lead in the 12th minute with a classy volley and Lionel Messi smacked a shot against the bar as Barca, resting Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez, made a strong start against Leganes, who began the game bottom of the table.

Barca's comfortable hold on the game dramatically fell apart shortly after the interval when Nabil El Zhar headed home a looping cross in the 52nd minute and 20-year-old Oscar Rodriguez turned in a second goal barely sixty seconds later to the joy of the 12,000 fans crammed into the Butarque stadium.

Leganes goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar pulled off a stunning double save to thwart Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic from close range in the closing minutes while Sergi Roberto skied a good opportunity as the unfancied hosts held on to record their first top-flight win over Barcelona.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 1 Athletic Bilbao : Barcelona held by Athletic Bilbao as Munir El Haddadi rescues point

Barcelona's run of poor form continued following a surprise 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets started on the bench as Barcelona stretched their winless run to three La Liga matches.

Messi's arrival changed the game in Barcelona's favour but Ernesto Valverde will rue more points dropped in La Liga as he switches attention to the midweek clash with Tottenham in the Champions League.

Oscar De Marcos' goal just before the break looked to have made it back-to-back defeats for Barcelona following their midweek loss to Leganes but Munir El Haddadi equalised seven minutes from time.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 4 Barcelona : Barcelona beat Tottenham in Group B on back of Lionel Messi double

Lionel Messi scored twice and powered Barcelona to a 4-2 win against Tottenham in Champions League Group B at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night.

Philippe Coutinho had the visitors ahead inside of two minutes, smashing a half-volley into an empty net after Hugo Lloris was caught out trying to chase down a Messi through ball.

Barcelona were two up before the half-hour mark thanks to a sensational goal from Ivan Rakitic, who side-volleyed home an unstoppable shot after Coutinho had played the ball back to him at the top of the penalty area.

And minutes later, Tottenham would find their first when Harry Kane picked up an Erik Lamela pass, charged into the area and cut back to his right foot before powering a shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make it 2-1.

Tottenham's celebrations would be short-lived, though, as Barca hit back right away with Messi finding the inside of the post he'd hit twice to open the half from a Jordi Alba cutback that Luis Suarez allowed to run through to his Argentine teammate.

Kane's hard work on the right flank led to Spurs second as he won the ball back from Barcelona and teed up Lamela, whose shot took deflected off Clement Lenglet and over the outstretched arms of a diving Ter Stegen to again cut the deficit to one goal.

Messi put matters to rest just before full-time after a bad giveaway from the Tottenham defence left the Barca talisman alone with only Lloris to beat and he made no mistake, tucking the ball into the bottom right corner to seal the points.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Valencia 1 - 1 Barcelona : Lionel Messi's super strike not enough as Barcelona draw

Champions Barcelona's domestic strife continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Valencia in an absorbing La Liga game on Sunday, with Lionel Messi again coming to their rescue by equalising with an 11th goal in 10 games this season.

The draw stretched Barca's winless run in Spain's top flight to four games and saw them surrender first place to Sevilla in a highly competitive campaign in which the leading six teams are separated by only two points.

The Catalans fell behind in the second minute at a bouncing Mestalla stadium after dreadful defending from a corner allowed Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay to stab home from close range.

Barca continued to leak chances but got a foothold in the game thanks to a superb strike in the 23rd minute from talisman Messi, who has been superb recently with a midweek performance for the ages against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.

Barcelona failed to further breach well-organised Valencia, however, racking up a run of three draws and a defeat in four league games, their longest stretch without a win since 2016.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 2 Seviila : Messi's arm injury casts shadow as Barcelona beat Sevilla

Barcelona moved back to the top of the La Liga table with their 4-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday night, but saw Lionel Messi exit early with a right arm injury.

The hosts got off to a fast start at Camp Nou, with Phillipe Coutinho scoring in the second minute.

Messi doubled Barcelona's lead in the 12th minute, but disaster struck five minutes later when he landed awkwardly on his right arm after getting wrapped up with Sevilla midfielder Franco Vazquez.

Writhing in pain on the field, Messi was tended to by team trainers before being substituted off for Ousmane Dembele.

The injury was diagnosed as fracture in the radial bone of his right arm, meaning the Barcelona captain will miss a Champions League match against Inter Milan on Wednesday and next Sunday's Clasico against Real Madrid.

The defending La Liga champions looked a bit disoriented following the exit of their captain, nursing the lead into the break.

Barcelona regained their poise for the second half, and added a third goal when Luis Suarez converted a penalty in the 63rd minute.

Pablo Sarabia finally broke Sevilla through with a goal in the 79th minute with a shot that deflected off Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet.

Ivan Rakitic scored the home side's final goal against his former club in the 88th minute with a first-time volley, only to have Luis Muriel answer for Sevilla in the 91st minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Internazionale : Barcelona beat Inter Milan to go clear in Champions League Group B

Barcelona came through their first test without the injured Lionel Messi, earning a convincing 2-0 win at home to Inter Milan to take control of Champions League Group B on Wednesday.

Midfielder Rafinha opened the scoring against the club where he spent the latter half of last season, bursting through the middle and finding Luis Suarez, then turning the Uruguayan's cross in on the volley in the 32nd minute.

Spanish left-back Jordi Alba killed off Inter's resistance late in the second half with a thumping low finish, snapping the Italian side's winning streak of seven games in all competitions and sealing a third-straight win in the Champions League for Ernesto Valverde's team.

Barca top Group B with nine points while Inter are second on six, with PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur locked on a point each.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 1 Real Madrid : Luis Suarez scores hat trick as Barcelona thrash Real Madrid in Clasico

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as his side thrashed arch-rivals Real Madrid 5-1 on Sunday in a highly entertaining Clasico which surely will signal the end of hapless coach Julen Lopetegui's spell in charge of Real.

Barca's Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring in the 11th minute following a slick team move and Suarez doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark by converting a penalty awarded after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR).

Real had looked lifeless in the first half but produced a courageous display after the break following a tactical switch from Lopetegui. They deservedly pulled a goal back through Marcelo and came close to grabbing an equaliser as Luka Modric struck the post and Sergio Ramos headed narrowly over.

Barca reasserted their authority and ran riot in the final 15 minutes with two more goals from Suarez, while a header from substitute Arturo Vidal further twisted the knife into Real, who have lost their last three league games and are seven points behind Barca in the La Liga standings in ninth position.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Cultural Leonesa 0 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona beat Cultural Leonesa in Copa del Rey with Clement Lenglet header

(1st Leg)

Holders Barcelona scraped a 1-0 win at third-tier Cultural Leonesa thanks to Clement Lenglet's late header in their Copa del Rey first-leg match.

Record 30-times cup winners Barcelona were on the back foot against Cultural Leonesa, with goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen making some smart saves to keep Ernesto Valverde's heavily rotated side level.

Lenglet headed Ousmane Dembele's free kick home at the near post in stoppage time to earn the Catalans a narrow advantage heading into the second leg.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Rayo Vallecano 2 - 3 Barcelona : Luis Suarez's brace completes late comeback

Late goals from Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez earned La Liga champions Barcelona a 3-2 win at struggling Rayo Vallecano on Saturday to keep them clear at the top of the standings.

Suarez slotted in a cross from Jordi Alba from close range to give Barca a deserved lead in the 11th minute after they had made a flying start at a ground where they had eased to victory in their previous five visits and had not lost since 2002.

But Rayo, 19th in the table and with only one win all season, fought their way back into the game and midfielder Jose Pozo smashed an equaliser in off the post in the 35th minute.

Rayo winger Alvaro Garcia sent the raucous home fans into delirium early in the second half by stabbing his side in front on the rebound after striker Raul de Thomas had struck the post with a diving header.

Barca might have had a sense of deja vu from their shock 2-1 defeat in Madrid by Leganes two months ago in which they also threw away the lead, and the Catalans adopted no-nonsense tactics to get back into the game, throwing defender Gerard Pique up front and playing frequent high balls into the box.

Substitute Dembele got Barca out of trouble with a perfectly struck half-volley in the 87th minute after a knockdown by Pique.

Suarez, who scored a hat trick in last week's drubbing of Real Madrid, completed the comeback three minutes later by arriving at the far post to steer in a cross from Sergi Roberto, striking a fifth goal in two games and a ninth in total to move top of the league's scoring charts.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Internazionale 1 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona remain atop Champions League Group B after Inter Milan draw

Barcelona qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League on Tuesday after a compelling 1-1 draw away to Inter Milan as a late leveller from Mauro Icardi ended the Catalans' perfect record in this season's competition.

Former Barca youth player Icardi swivelled to smash the ball into the net in the 87th minute not long after Brazilian Malcom appeared to have snatched a late winner for Barca by scoring his first goal for the club moments after coming off the bench.

Barca were still without talismanic figure Lionel Messi through injury but were the better side for most of a game that was high on intensity but lacking in quality until an electrifying final 10 minutes at a rocking San Siro.

Barca top Group B with 10 points after four games; Inter are second with seven, while Tottenham Hotspur are third on four and PSV Eindhoven bottom, and out of the competition, with one.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 4 Real Betis : Barcelona's Lionel Messi returns from injury as Real Betis stun Camp Nou

Lionel Messi scored twice on his return to action following a broken arm but could not stop Barcelona suffering a surprise defeat at home to Real Betis.

Messi broke his arm against Sevilla on Oct. 20 but made a quick recovery to take his place in Barcelona's starting XI at Camp Nou.

Junior Firpo struck for Betis on 21 minutes before Joaquin Sanchez doubled the lead before the break. Messi reduced the deficit on 67 minutes with a penalty but Giovani Lo Celso made it 3-1 soon after. Substitute Arturo Vidal gave Barcelona hope when he made it 3-2 11 minutes from time before Ivan Rakitic was sent off for a second booking and Sergio Canales made the game safe.

Messi added his second in injury time following a VAR referral but it wasn't enough to stop Barcelona from stumbling to defeat.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Atletico Madrid 1 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona draw with Atletico Madrid with late Ousmane Dembele strike

Ousmane Dembele's 90th-minute strike rescued Barcelona a point at Atletico Madrid in a 1-1 draw on Saturday that kept the Catalans top of La Liga.

The France winger came on as a substitute and drove in a low shot that deflected past Jan Oblak.

Atletico striker Diego Costa's 77th-minute header from Antoine Griezmann's corner was the first effort on target in a dour clash and appeared to have sent the Madrid side top of the standings.

But Dembele's late contribution stopped Barcelona from falling to a second consecutive defeat and kept them one point ahead of their opponents at the summit.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

PSV Eindhoven 1 - 2 Barcelona : Messi magic seals Barcelona victory at PSV

Lionel Messi scored an excellent individual goal and laid on another as Barcelona beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1 to secure top spot in Champions League Group B on Wednesday.

Messi provided an assist for defender Gerard Pique to score the second for the Liga champions, who have 13 points from their five matches and an unassailable lead.

Messi's goal was his 106th career UCL goal with Barcelona, edging past Cristiano Ronaldo's 105 for Real Madrid for the most at a single club.

PSV, meanwhile, will finish bottom, captain Luuk de Jong scoring a late consolation as they matched Barcelona for much of the contest at the Philips Stadion, striking the woodwork three times in the first half and missing a number of other chances.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Villarreal : Pique and Alena lead the way as Barcelona see off Villarreal

Champions Barcelona overcame a dogged Villarreal side to win 2-0 at home on Sunday, with goals from stalwart defender Gerard Pique and youngster Carles Alena, to provisionally return to the top of La Liga.

The victory extended Barcelona's unbeaten streak against Villarreal in all competitions to 21 games (16-0-5), with their last loss against the Yellow Submarine coming in March 2008

Pique headed the Catalans in front in the 36th minute, connecting with a cross from the lively Ousmane Dembele who produced another decisive display after scoring Barca's late equaliser against Atletico Madrid last week.

Homegrown midfielder Alena, 20, came off the bench to score his first league goal for Barca in the 87th minute and seal the win, racing on to a through ball from Lionel Messi and producing a confident finish.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 1 Cultural Leonesa : Denis Suarez brace fires Barcelona into Copa del Rey round of 16

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 5-1 on agg)

Denis Suarez struck twice for Copa del Rey holders Barcelona as they thrashed Cultural Leonesa 4-1 on Wednesday to progress to the round of 16 with a 5-1 aggregate victory.

The Barcelona midfielder has barely been used this season but put himself in the shop window with a confident display against the third-tier visitors in a comfortable round of 32 second-leg victory.

Holding a 1-0 first-leg lead Barcelona soon stretched that advantage, with Munir El Haddadi slamming a strike into the top corner after 18 minutes to complete a slick team move.

Suarez curled home a delightful second from distance to double the lead and Malcom headed in the third from Ivan Rakitic's cross.

The Croatian captained a much rotated side, with key players like Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique left out of the squad to rest for Saturday's Catalan derby against Espanyol.

Sene pulled a goal back from close range but highly-rated playmaker Riqui Puig appeared in the second half for his Barcelona debut and created the fourth goal with a sweet dink that Suarez dispatched coolly.

The only blemish for Barca came when Brazilian winger Malcolm appeared to suffer a late injury and was taken off, amid an injury crisis at the club with Luis Suarez, Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto among players sidelined.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Espanyol 0 - 4 Barcelona : Lionel Messi shines as Barcelona thrash Espanyol in Catalan derby

Lionel Messi scored two spectacular free kicks as Barcelona thrashed local rivals Espanyol 4-0 in Saturday's Catalan derby to move three points clear at the top of La Liga.

The champions, who started the game level with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid on 28 points, swept to victory in Cornella as Messi put on a sublime show in the week he was ranked the fifth best player in the world at Monday's Ballon d'Or awards.

The Argentine whipped a free kick into the top right corner in the 17th minute before brilliantly setting up Ousmane Dembele to double Barcelona's lead.

Luis Suarez added the third just before halftime with a shot from a tight angle that deflected in off goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Messi completed the rout with another special free kick in the 65th minute and VAR ruled out a consolation from Oscar Duarte for offside at the other end.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur : Tottenham into round of 16 after late Lucas Moura goal earns draw with Barcelona

Tottenham Hotspur made it into the round of 16 of the Champions League, coming from behind to grab a 1-1 draw at Barcelona on Tuesday which saw them finish second in Group B at the expense of Inter Milan.

Spurs were facing a much-changed Barca side who had already qualified in first place and started without talisman Lionel Messi, but they fell behind to an astonishing run and strike from Ousmane Dembele in the seventh minute.

Tottenham dominated much of the game, but were repeatedly denied by outstanding saves from Barca's reserve goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen before pulling level when Lucas Moura turned in a Harry Kane cross from close range in the 85th minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Levante 0 - 5 Barcelona : Messi scores hat trick as Barca top Levante and remain top of La Liga table

Lionel Messi netted his first hat trick of the La Liga season and provided two assists in yet another sensational individual display as a rampant Barcelona won 5-0 at Levante to strengthen their lead at the top of the table on Sunday.

Messi, at his mesmeric best, notched the 31st La Liga hat trick of his career for Barca while also setting up goals for Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Celta Vigo : Messi, Dembele strike as Barcelona ease past Celta Vigo

La Liga champions Barcelona ensured they will end the year sitting top of the table by strolling to a comfortable 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday, inspired by another superb display from Lionel Messi.

Messi played a pivotal role in Ousmane Dembele opening the scoring against the Galicians in the 10th minute, firing a shot at goal which Celta's Ruben Blanco could only parry at the feet of the French forward, who squeezed the rebound through the goalkeeper's legs.

The Argentine then scored a sixth goal in three La Liga games to stretch his side's advantage on the stroke of half-time, latching onto a pass from Jordi Alba and producing an irresistible finish beyond Blanco just as he entered the area.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Getafe 1 - 2 Barcelona : Messi, Suarez score as Barcelona increase La Liga lead to five points

Barcelona increased their lead atop La Liga to five points with a 2-1 victory at Getafe on Sunday.

First-half goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez put the Blaugrana in front before Jaime Mata pulled one back for the hosts just before the half.

The win gives first-placed Barca 40 points from 18 matches. Getafe remain in seventh with 25.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Levante 2 - 1 Barcelona : Levante take first-leg lead over Barcelona in Copa del Rey round of 16

(1st Leg)

Barcelona's recent iron grip on the Copa del Rey came under threat as they lost 2-1 at Levante in their last-16 first-leg tie on Thursday after resting a host of first team regulars, including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Barca, who have won the last four editions of the Spanish Cup, fell behind in the fourth minute when slack marking from a free kick saw Erick Cabaco head home while Borja Mayoral, on loan from Real Madrid, doubled Levante's lead in the 18th.

Substitute Jose Luis Morales spurned a glorious chance to strike a third goal for the home side which would have seriously damaged Barca's hopes of staying in the competition.

But the Catalans were handed a huge boost heading into next Thursday's second leg at the Nou Camp when Denis Suarez was fouled in the penalty area and record-signing Philippe Coutinho converted the resulting spot kick in the 85th minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Eibar : Messi scores 400th La Liga goal as Barcelona beat Eibar to extend lead at top

Luis Suarez scored twice while Lionel Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal as Barcelona re-opened a five-point lead over second place Atletico Madrid in La Liga with a 3-0 win over Eibar.

Barca came into the match on the back of a defeat to Levante in the Copa del Rey, but were back to winning ways with a relatively simple victory at Camp Nou.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Levante : Barcelona see off Levante, but Copa del Rey future still in doubt

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 4-2 on agg)

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi were on target as the Copa del Rey holders thrashed Levante 3-0 at the Nou Camp on Thursday for a 4-2 aggregate win to reach the quarterfinals.

However, Barca's status in a competition they have won for the last four years is unclear after Levante said before the game that they would file a complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday about the Catalan club.

Levante claim that Barcelona's teenage defender Chumi Brandariz, who played in the first leg, was ineligible to take part in the match because he was suspended.

If the RFEF ruled against the Catalan club, the 30-time Copa del Rey winners would be thrown out, with Levante given a bye and taking their place in the last eight.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Leganes : Barcelona beat Leganes with super-sub Lionel Messi to extend La Liga lead

Lionel Messi came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a 3-1 win over a dogged Leganes side on Sunday, creating one goal and scoring another to keep the Catalans five points clear at the top of La Liga.

Messi, left out of the starting lineup for only the second time this season when fit, was called on in the 64th minute with the game poised at 1-1 after Leganes forward Martin Braithwaite had cancelled out Ousmane Dembele's first-half opener with a 57th-minute strike.

The Argentine quickly provided the spark Barca needed by firing a venomous shot from the outside the area which was too powerful for goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar to hold, and Luis Suarez pounced to stab home on the rebound in the 71st minute.

Messi made sure of the victory in stoppage-time, sweeping across the area and hammering the ball past a helpless Cuellar for his 18th goal of the season in La Liga, taking leaders Barca on to 46 points, five clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, after 20 games.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 2 - 0 Barcelona : Sevilla stun holders Barcelona in Copa del Rey quarterfinals

(1st Leg)

Sevilla produced a brilliant second-half display to beat Barcelona 2-0 in their Copa del Rey quarterfinal, first leg on Wednesday, leaving the holders with an uphill task to reach the last four.

After an even first 45 minutes, strikes from Pablo Sarabia and Wissam Ben Yedder stunned the Catalans and left them needing a second-leg comeback at the Nou Camp for the second-consecutive round in the competition.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Girona 0 - 2 Barcelona : Lionel Messi scores as Barcelona beat Girona to extend lead to five points

Lionel Messi scored for a sixth consecutive La Liga game as champions Barcelona saw off a gutsy Girona side 2-0 in a Catalan derby on Sunday to go five points clear at the top of the standings.

Portuguese full-back Nelson Semedo struck with his weaker left foot to send Barca into the lead in the ninth minute of the game, which was played on a rain-swept afternoon at Girona's Montilivi stadium after La Liga's ambitious plan to stage the game in Miami fell through.

Girona missed a double chance to equalise shortly before the break, with Barca defender Gerard Pique clearing a shot off the line, and the home side's striker Cristhian Stuani was thwarted by the feet of German keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen early in the second period.

Girona had defender Bernardo Espinosa sent off in the 51st minute for a second booking and their hopes of getting back in the game were dealt a fatal blow by La Liga's top scorer Messi, who lofted the ball over keeper Bono in the 68th to net his 18th league goal of the season.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 6 - 1 Sevilla : Coutinho double helps Barcelona cruise into Copa del Rey semis

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 6-3 on agg)

Philippe Coutinho struck twice as Barcelona mounted a comeback to thrash Sevilla 6-1 and sweep into the Copa del Rey semifinals 6-3 on aggregate on Wednesday.

After a 2-0 defeat in Seville last week in which they rested key players, the Catalans broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Coutinho slotted home from the penalty spot following Quincy Promes' foul on Lionel Messi.

Messi handed Coutinho the ball and the Brazilian playmaker converted the spot kick, ending a run of poor form.

Sevilla nearly equalised but Jasper Cillessen produced a brilliant save from Andre Silva's backheel, before the Dutch goalkeeper palmed away Ever Banega's penalty.

Gerard Pique fouled Roque Mesa and after a long delay while the incident was checked by VAR, Argentina midfielder Banega fired to the goalkeeper's left, but Cillessen flew across to keep the ball out.

Barcelona pulled the game level on aggregate in the 32nd minute when Ivan Rakitic nudged the ball past Juan Soriano with the faintest of touches after a sensational pass from Arthur.

Two goals in a two-minute spell after the break helped Barcelona race ahead, with Coutinho heading in from Luis Suarez's cross and Sergi Roberto tucking home a ball from Messi.

Guilherme Arana pulled a goal back for Sevilla with a powerful drive after the otherwise impressive Cillessen gave the ball away, but Pablo Machin's side were finally sunk when Suarez struck on the break and Messi added a late sixth.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 2 Valencia : Messi brace inspires Barcelona comeback in draw with Valencia

Lionel Messi scored either side of half-time to help Barcelona overturn a two-goal deficit and earn a 2-2 draw with Valencia at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Valencia struck twice in eight first-half minutes, first through Kevin Gameiro and then via Dani Parejo's penalty, following a foul by Sergi Roberto.

But a foul by Toni Lato led to Messi halving the hosts' deficit six minutes before the interval with a spot kick of his own as the teams went to the dressing room with Valencia leading 2-1.

Messi then struck again in the 64th minute, curling in a shot from 20 yards after Arturo Vidal had laid the ball off to him at the top of the penalty area to bring Barca level at 2-2.

Neither team could find a winner in the remaining 30 minutes of the match, but the draw ensured Barca avoided a first league loss since November and took them to 50 points from 22 games.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 1 Real Madrid : Barcelona claim draw vs. Real Madrid in Copa del Rey semifinal first leg

(1st Leg)

Winger Malcom's second-half strike secured Barcelona a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid to leave the Copa del Rey semifinal evenly poised on Wednesday after the first leg.

Brazilian Malcom, who started in place of Lionel Messi, curled home in the 58th minute to pull Barcelona level after Lucas Vazquez had fired Real Madrid ahead early on.

Vazquez struck after just six minutes to silence the Nou Camp at the end of a slick team move, with Santiago Solari's side impressing in the opening stages.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Athletic Bilbao 0 - 0 Barcelona : Barcelona held to draw despite Lionel Messi start

La Liga leaders Barcelona handed Real Madrid more hope in the title race as they drew 0-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, only avoiding defeat thanks to some outstanding saves by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The Germany keeper twice thwarted forward Inaki Williams and kept out a stinging drive from Markel Susaeta in an intense and entertaining game in which the champions came under heavy pressure throughout.

Barca top the standings with 51 points after 23 games, six ahead of a resurgent Real Madrid.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Valladolid : Barcelona earn ugly win against Real Valladolid with Messi penalty

Lionel Messi scored one penalty and missed another as Barcelona beat Real Valladolid 1-0 on Saturday to open up a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga.

The Catalans played far below their vibrant best but were not troubled by the visitors at the Nou Camp as they ended a run of three consecutive draws in all competitions.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Olympique Lyonnais 0 - 0 Barcelona : Barcelona play to goalless draw at Lyon in Round of 16

(1st Leg)

Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday as both sides remained unbeaten in this season's competition.

The La Liga leaders dominated the match at the Groupama stadium but lacked accuracy up front and were grateful to their goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen who made two great saves.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 2 - 4 Barcelona : Messi hat-trick inspires Barcelona to victory

Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to make it 36 goals in 35 games against Sevilla as Barcelona won 4-2 at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium to go 10 points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Barca had twice been behind thanks to goals from Jesus Navas and Gabriel Mercado, but Messi twice brought them back into the contest before wrapping up his treble and then setting up Luis Suarez for a late fourth.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Madrid 0 - 3 Barcelona : Luis Suarez the hero as Barcelona beat Real Madrid, advance to Copa del Rey final

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 4-1 on agg)

A clinical Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 away in an intense Copa del Rey semi-final, second leg on Wednesday as a Luis Suarez double helped them secure a 4-1 aggregate victory and a spot in the final for the sixth straight season.

A dominant yet wasteful Real ravaged their rivals in the first half while spurning a string of clear chances at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yet Barca went ahead against the run of play in the 50th minute as Ousmane Dembele led a counter-attack and Suarez slotted his pass into the net.

Spearheaded by the pace and confidence of Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr, Madrid continued to fly forward but failed to find the target.

Barca effectively killed off the tie when Raphael Varane bundled the ball into his own net as he tried to prevent Suarez reaching another cross from Dembele.

Suarez then earned a penalty and further humiliated Madrid by converting with an audacious 'Panenka', deceiving goalkeeper Keylor Navas by chipping the ball into the net.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Madrid 0 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona beat Real Madrid for second consecutive Clasico win

La Liga leaders Barcelona won a tight and tense Clasico 1-0 at Real Madrid on Saturday, beating their great rivals at their Bernabeu home for the second time in four days and moving a staggering 12 points clear of them in the standings.

Croatia international Ivan Rakitic struck the only goal of the game midway through the first half, delivering an ice-cool finish over Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois after being played in by a clever pass by Sergi Roberto.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were largely kept quiet in a shy display from the champions in which their defenders Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet were the heroes instead, bravely putting their bodies in the way to snuff out Madrid.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Rayo Vallecano : Pique, Messi, Suarez score Barcelona's win

Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga.

Rayo, who have now lost their last 12 games against Barca, took a shock lead midway through the first half when forward Raul de Tomas -- who is on loan from Real Madrid -- ran past two defenders before arrowing a shot into the bottom corner.

The Madrid side's unlikely lead at the Nou Camp lasted a quarter of an hour and ended when Messi whipped in a free kick for Gerard Pique to appear unmarked and head home.

Barca won a penalty early in the second half when Luis Suarez was fouled and Messi converted to put the league leaders in front and the Uruguayan forward made sure of the points with a simple finish from close range in the 82nd minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 1 Olympique Lyonnais : Lionel Messi's brace guides Barcelona past Lyon, into quarters

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 5-1 on agg)

Lionel Messi lead the way with two goals and two assists as Barcelona reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League in style by thrashing Olympique Lyonnais 5-1 at home on Wednesday and advancing by the same scoreline on aggregate.

Barca captain Messi opened the scoring with a "Panenka" penalty chipped straight down the middle in the 17th minute after Luis Suarez was fouled in the area, putting the home side ahead in the tie after a goalless first leg in France.

Suarez then rounded Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to lay on a perfect pass for the unmarked Philippe Coutinho to nudge into an open net and double Barca's lead, although Lyon hauled themselves back into contention with a second-half strike from Lucas Tousart.

Messi soon killed off any hopes of an unlikely comeback from the French side, however, carving his way through the defence to score in the 78th minute before toying with Lyon's back line twice more and laying off passes for Gerard Pique and then Ousmane Dembele to complete the rout.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Betis 1 - 4 Barcelona : Marvellous Messi hits hat trick

Lionel Messi was lauded by opposition supporters on Sunday after he scored an outstanding hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-1 win at Real Betis, which put the Catalans 10 points clear at the top of La Liga with 10 games remaining.

With Barca's nearest challengers Atletico Madrid falling to a 2-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao the previous day, Messi got Barca off to an ideal start by drilling a free kick into the top corner of the net in the 18th minute.

The Argentine put Barca further at ease with another strike at the end of the first half, finishing off a backheeled pass from Luis Suarez as the two South American forwards carved their way through Betis's defence.

Uruguay forward Suarez had missed several clear chances to score but he finally got his reward for a lively performance with a goal in the 63rd minute, dancing past four Betis players on a dazzling run which began in his own half.

Loren Moron pulled one back for Betis in the 82nd minute but Messi replied with a sumptuous first-time lob in off the crossbar to complete his treble and the Betis supporters responded by chanting the Argentine's name and bowing down to him.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Espanyol : Messi reaches 40-goal mark as Barcelona beat Espanyol

Lionel Messi scored twice to earn Barcelona a 2-0 derby win over Espanyol and keep them 10 points clear at the top of La Liga.

A dull match was decided by Barcelona's No. 10, who lofted home a free kick after 71 minutes and slotted in from substitute Malcom's cross towards the end.

Messi, who now has 40 goals in all competitions this season, suffered criticism in his native Argentina after withdrawing from a friendly against Morocco because of a groin problem, but was hailed by Barcelona fans after taking them one step closer to retaining the title.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Villarreal 4 - 4 Barcelona : Messi and Suarez rescue Barcelona in thrilling draw

Barcelona's Lionel Messi came off the bench to help the Liga leaders battle back from 4-2 down in stoppage time to snatch a remarkable 4-4 draw at struggling Villarreal on Tuesday.

The Catalans avoided a first league loss since November with a last-gasp Luis Suarez strike after captain and top scorer Messi gave them hope with a deadly free kick in the 90th minute.

Even without Messi, Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic in their starting lineup, the visitors still strolled into the lead through a Philippe Coutinho goal in the 12th minute, which Brazilian forward Malcom soon doubled with a header.

But Villarreal, who began the game hovering one point above the relegation zone, hauled themselves into contention with a strike from 19-year-old Samuel Chukwueze midway through the first half.

Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi took advantage of slack positioning from Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to equalise soon after the interval and Vicente Iborra completed the home side's remarkable revival just after the hour mark.

Messi was called from the bench to rescue the champions but instead Villarreal increased their lead with a strike from their substitute Carlos Bacca.

Alvaro Gonzalez was then dismissed for Villarreal for a second booking with four minutes remaining, paving the way for Messi and Suarez to strike for Barca and produce a remarkable finish to an enthralling contest.

The draw resulted in Barca's lead over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who had earlier won 2-0 at home to lowly Girona, being trimmed to eight points ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-table showdown at the Nou Camp.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid : Messi sets La Liga wins mark as Barcelona increase La Liga lead to 11 points

Lionel Messi set a new La Liga wins mark while Barcelona increased their commanding lead to 11 points with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Diego Costa was given a straight red card in the opening half-hour for a derogatory comment about referee Jesus Gil Manzano's mother, putting Diego Simeone's men a man down in what was a must-win game to keep any realistic title hopes alive.

Atletico produced a gutsy second-half display, expertly shackling Barca, but the Catalans finally found a way past the visitors' outstanding goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a superb curling shot from Suarez in the 85th minute.

Moments later Messi sealed victory and quite probably the league title with an irresistibly cool finish into the net and Barca's fans jubilantly chanted "champions", crowing at their surely unassailable lead at the top with seven games remaining.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Manchester United 0 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona earn narrow win over Manchester United in quarterfinal first leg

(1st Leg)

Barcelona overcame a tame Manchester United to take the upper hand in their Champions League quarterfinal after Luke Shaw's own goal gave them a 1-0 first-leg victory at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Shaw deflected a Luis Suarez header into his own net after 12 minutes, handing the Catalans a vital away goal that will make them clear favourites in the return leg.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Huesca 0 - 0 Barcelona : Barcelona held to goalless draw at Huesca as Messi, Suarez and stars rested

Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at Huesca but Ernesto Valverde's side, with star players including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez rested for next week's Champions League game against Manchester United, still moved 12 points clear of Atletico Madrid.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Manchester United : Lionel Messi stars as Barcelona cruise past Manchester United in UCL

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 4-0 on agg)

Lionel Messi scored twice and David De Gea was left with egg on his face as Barcelona cruised past Manchester United with a 3-0 win at Camp Nou.

It meant a 4-0 aggregate win for the La Liga side, who barely needed to break sweat to reach the Champions League semifinals.

Barca opening goal came in the 16th minute when poor defending by first Ashley Young and then Fred gave Messi far too much space outside the area, and the Argentine superbly curled an effort past De Gea from the edge of the box.

Moments later, Barca doubled their advantage and it was down to yet more errors. Fred again was caught in possession and the ball fell to Messi, who could only produce a weak effort -- but it was enough to squirm under the body of an embarrassed De Gea.

The match was effectively over at the hour, former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho got in on the act, beautifully beating De Gea from distance after being set up by Jordi Alba.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Real Sociedad : Barca move closer to La Liga title with win

Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title on Saturday after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp, with goals from defenders Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba restoring their nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Sociedad scored through forward Juanmi in the 62nd minute, sliding in to meet an incisive pass from Mikel Merino and diverting it past Barca's Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Alavés 0 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona move closer to La Liga title with win at Alaves

Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday, leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play.

After a turgid first half, Barcelona stepped up a gear in the second and midfielder Carles Alena sent the Catalans ahead at Mendizorroza after 54 minutes.

Arturo Vidal and Sergio Roberto combined well, the latter threading a pass through to Alena which Luis Suarez cleverly stepped over, allowing the 21-year-old to coolly slot home.

Suarez added the second from the penalty spot after Tomas Pina's handball was spotted by VAR, putting Barcelona in touching distance of their 26th league title.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Levante : Barcelona clinch back-to-back La Liga titles on Messi goal

Lionel Messi fittingly sealed Barcelona's 26th La Liga title on Saturday by coming off the bench to score the goal in a 1-0 win over Levante in front of a jubilant Nou Camp crowd, who celebrated a remarkable eighth league crown in 11 years.

Barca's captain decided the game and the title in the 61st minute as he received a header from Arturo Vidal, effortlessly freeing himself from two defenders with his right foot before using his left to plant the ball into the far bottom corner.

https://a2.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2019%2F0427%2Fr535133_1296x729_16 %2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Liverpool : Messi reaches 600 club-goal mark in Barcelona's win over Liverpool

(1st Leg)

Lionel Messi put Barcelona on the verge of the Champions League final by scoring twice in a 3-0 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of their last-four clash on Wednesday, taking his goal tally for the Catalans to a remarkable 600 in the process.

Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez reminded the visitors of his clinical finishing by opening the scoring in the 26th minute of a tense and finely-balanced first half at the Nou Camp, darting between two Liverpool defenders to divert Jordi Alba's cross into the net.

Barca captain Messi scored the all-important second goal of the night in the 75th minute, chesting the ball down on the rebound and dribbling it over the line after Suarez had hammered the crossbar with a shot with his knee.

The Argentine then added to Barca's already huge advantage to take into next Tuesday's second leg at Anfield by scoring his milestone goal in style, smashing into the top corner with a sizzling free kick in the 82nd minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Celta Vigo 2 - 0 Barcelona : Makeshift Barcelona side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to injury

Barcelona fell to their first La Liga defeat since November as the champions were beaten 2-0 at struggling Celta Vigo after making 11 changes but forward Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury setback ahead of Tuesday's Champions League game at Liverpool.

Uruguay forward Maxi Gomez gave Celta a deserved lead in the 67th minute, sliding to the floor to divert a low pass beyond Barca's reserve goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, after the home side saw a goal ruled out for a marginal offside after a VAR review.

Celta's captain and talisman Iago Aspas then sealed the win by converting from the penalty spot after another VAR review ruled that Barca's Samuel Umtiti had handled the ball.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[PaulMerson]

How come you don't post after been humiliated by Liverpool in Champions League Semi-Finals.

[lacoruna69]

Liverpool 4 - 0 Barcelona : Liverpool crush Barcelona to overcome deficit and reach UCL final

(2nd Leg : Liverpool wins 4-3 on agg)

Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history to beat Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday, overturning a three-goal first-leg deficit and advancing to their second successive final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Two goals each from stand-in forward Divock Origi and halftime substitute Georginio Wijnaldum left Lionel Messi and Barcelona utterly shell-shocked by a Liverpool performance full of passion, belief and determination.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

How come you don't post after been humiliated by Liverpool in Champions League Semi-Finals.

sometimes i slow to update, Bro.

but i try to update every match Barca was involved in....be it Win, Lose or Draw. :cool:

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Getafe : Barcelona booed in home win against Getafe after UCL flameout

Spanish champions Barcelona beat top-four chasing Getafe 2-0 in front of a subdued and near half-empty Nou Camp on Sunday in their first La Liga game since a humbling defeat by Liverpool sent them crashing out of the Champions League semifinals.

Sunday's result meant little to Barca, who clinched an eighth Liga title in 11 seasons two weeks ago, but it could prove fatal to Getafe's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time as they dropped one place to fifth.

Barcelona's Chilean Arturo Vidal opened the scoring near the end of the first half, poking a loose ball home after Gerard Pique's flicked header was parried by Getafe keeper David Soria.

Barca's second came in the 90th minute thanks to an own goal after captain Lionel Messi combined with Sergi Roberto and beat two players before his shot got a final touch off Djene Dakonam.

Only 57,000 people turned up at the 99,000 capacity ground for the game, which turned into a forum for fans to vent their frustrations at Barca's 4-0 surrender at Anfield on Tuesday.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Eibar 2 - 2 Barcelona : Messi nets twice as Barca end season with draw

Barcelona captain and La Liga top scorer Lionel Messi rounded off a spectacular season by netting twice in a 2-2 draw away to Eibar in the champions' final game on Sunday, taking his tally to a remarkable 36 league goals.

Eibar went ahead in the 20th minute with a strike from Barca's on-loan midfielder Marc Cucurella which squirmed under keeper Jasper Cillessen but Messi levelled in the 31st after sneaking into the box to meet a pass from Arturo Vidal.

Messi struck again a minute later, racing through the middle unchallenged to latch on to a pass from Ivan Rakitic and calmly chip the outstretched keeper Marko Dmitrovic.

But Eibar's Pablo de Blasis levelled right before halftime with a superb one-touch strike from long range after the ball fell into his path following a desperate header away from Cillessen, who looked in shaky form ahead of next week's Copa del Rey final against Valencia.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[countryman]

2019 COPA DEL REY FINAL : Valencia 2 - 1 Barcelona

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 2 Valencia : Barca's double hopes end with Copa del Rey loss

Valencia beat Barcelona 2-1 to win the Copa del Rey on Saturday, ending the Spanish champions' four-year winning streak in the competition and denying them a domestic double.

Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno struck first-half goals to give Marcelino's dominant Valencia control of the final in Seville's sweltering Benito Villamarin stadium.

Record 30-time Cup winners Barcelona struggled without injured forwards Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele, but Lionel Messi pulled the Catalans back into the game with a close-range finish.

Goncalo Guedes missed a gilt-edged chance in stoppage time for Valencia, but they held on to win their first major trophy since last lifting the Cup in 2008.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

2019 COPA DEL REY FINAL : Valencia 2 - 1 Barcelona

Thanks, Bro!!:D

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 2 Chelsea : Chelsea beat Barca with Abraham, Barkley goals

Goals from Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley helped Chelsea beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Rakuten Cup on Tuesday as Ernesto Valverde's side kicked off their preseason with a defeat in Tokyo.

Abraham opened the scoring in the first half after a mistake from Sergio Busquets, with Barkley wrapping up the win from the edge of the box in the second half. Ivan Rakitic added a late consolation for the Spanish champions.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Vissel Kobe 0 - 2 Barcelona : Perez seals Barca win vs. Iniesta's Vissel Kobe

Carles Perez scored twice as Barcelona beat a Vissel Kobe side including Andres Iniesta 2-0 in the Rakuten Cup on Saturday in Japan.

Perez, a winger for Barca's B team, slotted through goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa's legs on the hour mark after a neat one-two with Malcom to open the scoring. Malcom came close to adding a second, thumping the bar from close range, before Perez netted his second late on as Barca picked up their first win of preseason following Tuesday's defeat to Chelsea.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Arsenal : Barca need late Suarez strike to beat Arsenal

Luis Suarez struck in the final minute of the match as Barcelona came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Suarez came off the bench to turn home a lofted pass from Sergi Roberto in his first appearance of the summer. Ainsley Maitland-Niles' own goal had previously cancelled out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's brilliant opener in front of 98,812 fans in Barcelona.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Napoli : Rakitic, Busquets score as Barca beat Napoli

(1st Leg)

Ivan Rakitic's second-half goal earned Barcelona a 2-1 win against Napoli on Wednesday as the Italians were made to pay for missing a string of chances at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Rakitic fired home from the edge of the box with 10 minutes remaining to give Barca the advantage in the inaugural La Liga-Serie A cup. A Samuel Umtiti own goal had earlier cancelled out Sergio Busquets' opener. The two sides meet in the second leg in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Napoli 0 - 4 Barcelona : Griezmann nets first Barca goal in win over Napoli

(2nd Leg : Barcelona wins 6-1 on agg)

Barcelona tore Napoli apart in 15 second-half minutes as they won 4-0 at Michigan Stadium on Saturday in front of an attendance of just over 60,000.

Luis Suarez scored twice to take his pre-season tally to three, while there was also a first Barca goal for Antoine Griezmann since his €120 million move from Atletico Madrid earlier this summer. Ousmane Dembele completed the rout.

Barca's win comes three days after they beat Napoli 2-1 in Miami and sees them end their tour of the United States as the first-ever winners of the La Liga-Serie A Cup.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)[/QUOTE]

[lacoruna69]

Athletic Bilbao 1 - 0 Barcelona : Aduriz downs Barcelona with golazo

Lionel Messi was sorely missed as a lacklustre Barcelona were downed by an Aritz Aduriz golazo in a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in their La Liga season opener at San Mames on Friday night.

Substitute Aduriz smashed home a spectacular scissor-kick goal just after coming into the match to hand Athletic all three points and Barca a shock loss to start the season.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[Lorettadiold]

As much as I have disliked Barcelona over the years, I have to say that they are worthy champions. They have easily been the best in Europe this year. The Messi, Neymar and Suarez trio is incredible, possibly the finest attacking trio we have seen in history.

I hope we Chelsea can improve in Europe next season, the way we got kncoked out this season was embarrassing.

[lacoruna69]

As much as I have disliked Barcelona over the years, I have to say that they are worthy champions. They have easily been the best in Europe this year. The Messi, Neymar and Suarez trio is incredible, possibly the finest attacking trio we have seen in history.

I hope we Chelsea can improve in Europe next season, the way we got kncoked out this season was embarrassing.

Thanks for your comments.
But over the years, the team had come to be too dependent on Messi...probably his clout had grown too strong.

But Griezmann had proved they can still win without Messi n Suarez.
This frenchman World Cup winner is no fluke and totally worth the 120m pound fee.

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 2 Real Betis : Griezmann harkens Messi, LeBron in Barca win

With Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez watching from the stands, Antoine Griezmann came through for Barcelona by scoring twice to lead the Catalan club to its first Spanish league win of the season with a 5-2 rout of Real Betis on Sunday.

The newly signed France forward equalised for Barcelona after Betis opened the scoring at Camp Nou.

Carles Perez, Jordi Alba and Arturo Vidal also scored for Barcelona. Nabil Fekir and Loren Moron scored for Betis.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Osasuna 2 - 2 Barcelona : Ansu, 16, scores but Barca draw 2-2 at Osasuna

Ansu Fati became the youngest Barcelona player to score in La Liga but his side were held to a 2-2 draw away at Osasuna on Saturday.

Ansu -- aged 16 years and 298 days -- came on as a substitute and scored his first professional goal after six minutes to equalise for the Spanish champions.

Another substitute Arthur Melo scored his first goal for Barca in 45 appearances with a curling effort to put the visitors ahead.

The hosts took the lead early as Roberto Torres smashed a volley past Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Barca dominated possession throughout and went ahead through strikes from Ansu and Arthur in the second half.

With less than 10 minutes to go, the hosts were awarded a penalty when the ball struck Gerard Pique's arm and Torres grabbed his second from the spot.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 2 Valencia : Teen Ansu sets La Liga mark in runaway Barca win

Luis Suarez scored twice in his return for Barcelona and Ansu Fati had another stellar showing as they made short work of Valencia in a 5-2 win at the Camp Nou with an injured Lionel Messi looking on from the sidelines.

The hosts raced out to a 2-0 lead with teenager Ansu scoring the first goal and setting up the second for new arrival Frenkie de Jong inside of 10 minutes.

The early heroics made Fati the youngest player to both score and assist in a La Liga game in the 21st century, according to Opta, as the 16-year-old phenom starred in his first start on Saturday.

Fati's goal also sees him reach the two-goal mark at Barca in just his third game, while it took Messi 13 matches to score his second for the Catalans.

Kevin Gameiro finished off a nice team move to pull one back for Valencia before half-time, with the referee consulting VAR to award the goal after the linesman's flag had initially gone up for offside.

Gerard Pique restored Barca's two-goal lead shortly after the restart, pouncing on a rebound from a well-hit Antoine Griezmann shot and tapping it home.

Substitute Suarez, back from a spell on the sidelines with an injury, produced a moment of brilliance shortly after coming on, faking a pass to his right and then curling a shot past Jasper Cillessen at the near post to make it 4-1.

The Uruguay international then added a second at the near post, picking up a loose ball in the penalty area and once again curling it just out of the reach of Cillessen.

Valencia scored a meaningless late goal through Maxi Gomez to reach the final scoreline as Barca eased to three important points on a day that table-toppers Atletico Madrid lost.

Next up for Barcelona is their Champions League group stage opener against Borussia Dortmund on Sept. 17, a match which Messi is also expected to miss.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Barcelona : Messi makes debut as Barca draw in Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund hit the woodwork and had a penalty saved before drawing 0-0 with Barcelona in their Champions League Group F opener on Tuesday, with Lionel Messi making his first appearance of the season for the Spaniards.

Barca's in-form 16-year-old Ansu Fati became the club's youngest player to feature in a UEFA competition when he started, but he failed to make any real impact before being replaced by fit-again Messi just before the hour mark.

Even after the Argentine took the field, it was the Germans who were more dangerous, with captain Marco Reus' 57th-minute penalty saved by Marc Andre ter Stegen.

Reus was denied twice more by Ter Stegen and Julian Brandt rattled the crossbar with a thundering shot in the 77th.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Granada 2 - 0 Barcelona : Promoted Granada shock Barcelona to go top

Promoted Granada moved into first place in La Liga after a convincing 2-0 win over Barcelona on Saturday took them to 10 points and into a tie with Sevilla in top spot.

The result marks the worst start to a La Liga season in 25 years for the Catalan giants.

The hosts, who had only beaten Barca once in their last 20 meetings, took an early lead when Ramon Azeez headed home from close range to make it 1-0 in just the second minute.

Lionel Messi, still working his way back to full fitness and playing in his first La Liga game of the season so far, was brought on at half-time for Carles Perez to help Barca find their way back into the game.

However, it was Granada that would score again when a handball in the penalty area was called on Arturo Vidal and Alvaro Vadillo converted from the spot after a consultation with VAR confirmed the ruling.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Villarreal : Barcelona bounce back but Messi limps off

Barcelona secured a much-needed 2-1 home victory over Villarreal in La Liga on Tuesday, racing to a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes before hanging on after Santi Cazorla halved the deficit on the stroke of halftime.

Antoine Griezmann headed Barcelona in front after six minutes, darting in at the near post to meet a Lionel Messi corner.

Brazilian Arthur doubled the lead with a spectacular strike from distance as it appeared the Catalans would put their recent troubles away from home behind them, having lost to promoted Granada at the weekend.

However, Barca's tempo dropped when Messi had to leave the field for treatment on the half-hour and they were perhaps distracted by their talisman's injury problem when they were pegged back just before the interval.

Cazorla's long-range effort left home keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen red-faced as he misjudged the swerving shot to allow the visitors back into the game.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Getafe 0 - 2 Barcelona : Ter Stegen assist helps Messi-less Barcelona win

Barcelona continued their recovery from a poor start to the season with a 2-0 win at Getafe thanks to goals from Luis Suarez and Junior Firpo.

Barca, who only won two of their first five La Liga games of the campaign, have now recorded consecutive victories despite being without injured trio Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele.

Suarez opened the scoring in the 41st minute in unlikely circumstances with the assist coming from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

And Ernesto Valverde's side made sure of the points four minutes after the break when Junior scored from close range.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Internazionale : Sensational Suarez brace lifts Barca over Inter

Luis Suarez scored two classy goals to inspire Barcelona to a 2-1 comeback win over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday and inflict a first defeat on Antonio Conte since he took charge of the Italians.

Inter, who lead Serie A after winning all six domestic games under Conte, produced a wonderful first-half display and took the lead in the second minute through Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez.

Barca had struggled to get going but looked more like their usual dominant selves on European nights at the Camp Nou after the break and deservedly pulled level in the 58th minute through a superb swivelling volley from Suarez.

The Catalans caught Inter out on the counterattack to take the lead in the 84th minute, with captain Lionel Messi feeding Suarez, who produced a cool, low finish to prompt relieved celebrations among the 86,000 fans in the stadium.

The win put Barca second in Group F with four points from two games, the same as leaders Borussia Dortmund, who won 2-0 at Slavia Prague. Inter have one point.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 0 Sevilla FC : Sublime Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi goals lift Barcelona into second

Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the season as Barcelona beat Sevilla 4-0 on Sunday to climb into second place in the La Liga standings behind Real Madrid, but ended the game with nine men as Ousmane Dembele and debutant Ronald Araujo were sent off.

Luis Suarez gave the champions the lead with an outstanding bicycle kick in the 27th minute and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal then got a crucial touch on a tame shot from Arthur Melo to double Barcelona's lead in the 32nd.

Dembele, who was named in the starting lineup ahead of €120 million ($131.76m) signing Antoine Griezmann, made it 3-0 in the 35th with a superb solo dribble and finish.

Barca captain Messi scored from a free kick in the 78th to finally get off the mark in a season which has been blighted by injuries but there was a sour end to the game for Ernesto Valverde's side, who are two points behind Real.

Uruguayan defender Araujo had made his debut by replacing the injured Jean-Clair Todibo but was sent off 14 minutes later for a last-ditch challenge on Javier Hernandez, while Dembele was dismissed for protesting the decision.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Eibar 0 - 3 Barcelona : Griezmann, Messi, Suarez on target as Barcelona beat Eibar despite travel chaos

Barcelona put the civil unrest back home to one side as they enjoyed a comfortable win away to Eibar with Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez all on target in the same match for the first time.

The build-up to this game was dominated by the ongoing clashes in Catalonia, sparked by protests against jail sentences handed to nine Catalan separatist leaders, and even forced Barca to change their travel plans for this match at the last minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Slavia Prague 1 - 2 Barcelona : Messi first to score in 15 UCL campaigns in tense Barcelona win

A quick-fire strike from Lionel Messi and a second half own goal gave Barcelona a 2-1 win over Slavia Prague in a thrilling Champions League Group F encounter on Wednesday where both sides spurned multiple chances.

Barcelona swarmed forward from the kick off, keeping Slavia bottled up in their own end and denying them possession.

They took the lead in the third minute when Messi forced a turnover before feeding the ball to Arthur who returned it for the Argentine to slip past the goalkeeper.

The home side, pushed on by a roaring crowd, kept their foot on the pedal after the break and deservedly levelled in the 50th minute when Lukas Masopust held off a defender before threading a pass to Jan Boril who made no mistake in front of goal.

Barcelona, harried all night by a hard-running Slavia side, reclaimed their advantage in the 57th minute when a Luis Suarez shot from a tight angle bounced off Peter Olayinka and into the net.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 1 Real Valladolid : Lionel Messi inspires Barcelona past Real Valladolid to top of La Liga table

Lionel Messi scored twice and set up two more in Barcelona's table-topping 5-1 win over Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

Barcelona went up early with a nice volley from Clement Lenglet, but Kiko bundled home on the quarter hour after Marc-Andre ter Stegen misplayed a free kick into the box to draw the visiting side level.

Two moments of Messi magic restored order at the Camp Nou with the Argentine playing a perfect ball into the penalty area for Arturo Vidal to volley home and then curling in an unstoppable free kick shortly after to give Barcelona a 3-1 lead at half-time.

Messi fired in Barca's fourth with a superb turn and finish from an Ivan Rakitic pass, firing a low line drive of a volley past Valladolid keeper Jordi Masip before setting Luis Suarez with another sublime assist to reach the final scoreline.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Levante 3 - 1 Barcelona : Levante shock Barcelona with comeback win after Messi opener

La Liga champions Barcelona's long winning streak came to an abrupt halt when they fell to a shock 3-1 defeat away to Levante on Saturday after taking the lead but then conceding three times in the space of seven minutes in the second half.

Barca had returned to the top of the table by thrashing Real Valladolid 5-1 in mid-week for a seventh straight victory in all competitions and put themselves in a comfortable position when Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 38th minute.

Their problems began when Luis Suarez was taken off injured a few moments later and they collapsed in the second half, with Levante scoring with all of their first three shots on target.

Jose Campana levelled in the 61st minute following a quick-fire counter-attack after winning the ball in Barca's half, then former Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral put them ahead in the 63rd with a superb curling strike from outside the area.

Nemanja Radoja gave the home side extra breathing space with a third goal in the 67th on the volley following a free kick, while Messi put the ball in the net later to briefly give Barca hope but the goal was ruled out for offside by Antoine Griezmann after a VAR review.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Slavia Prague : Barcelona held to frustrating scoreless draw

Barcelona's patchy form continued as they were unable to break down a diligent and bold Slavia Prague side at home and were held to a 0-0 draw in the Champions League on Tuesday.

With Luis Suarez injured, Barca lacked a cutting edge in attack and visiting goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar produced an admirable display to shut out the Catalans, thwarting Lionel Messi and Sergi Roberto from close range in the second half.

Messi also struck a post in the first half and Barca later had an effort by Arturo Vidal ruled out for offside against the Argentine.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 1 Celta Vigo : Messi free kicks, hat trick fuel Barcelona's win

Lionel Messi scored two exquisite free kicks as he netted his first hat-trick of the season in a 4-1 win over Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou on Saturday, which took Barcelona back to the top of La Liga after a difficult week.

Barca's captain coolly converted a penalty to put the champions ahead in the 23rd minute but gave away a foul in a dangerous area, which led to Lucas Olaza levelling for Celta with an outstanding strike from a free kick in the 42nd.

But Messi restored Barca's lead right before halftime with a stunning free kick of his own, curling the ball into the top corner.

He conjured up an almost identical strike at the start of the second half to complete his treble and match Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 34 hat-tricks in Spain's top flight.

Sergio Busquets struck a fourth goal in the 85th to round off a first win for Barca in three games, after falling to a shock 3-1 defeat at Levante last week in La Liga and drawing 0-0 at home to Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

FC Cartagena 0 - 2 Barcelona : Club Friendly

Carles Perez (64'), Alejandro Marqués (88')

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Leganes 1 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona earn comeback win over bottom side Leganes with Suarez, Vidal goals

Youssef En-Nesyri opened the scoring for Leganes in superb fashion on 12 minutes when he fired in a superb effort from the right hand side of the box.

Barcelona went into half-time behind but were level on 53 minutes when Luis Suarez powered home a header from Lionel Messi's free kick.

With Barca pushing for a winner, Valverde opted to take off under par Antoine Greizmann just before the hour mark and replace him with Arturo Vidal. And it proved to be a decisive change.

On 79 minutes, Vidal fumbled home from close range and, following a consultation with the VAR, the goal stood and Barca took home all three points.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Borussia Dortmund : Messi guides Barcelona into the Champions League round of 16

Barcelona reached the Champions League round of 16 after Lionel Messi scored one and assisted two in his 700th appearance for the club in a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the first half and Messi doubled Barca's lead four minutes later, scoring his 613th goal for the club.

Substitute Antoine Griezmann then finished off a pass from Messi to further stretch Barca's lead in the 67th minute, a much-needed goal for the Frenchman's confidence after failing to score in his previous six appearances for the club.

Dortmund's England forward Jadon Sancho also began the game on the bench but made an impact when introduced after halftime, firing in an impressive consolation strike for the Germans in the 77th minute after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Atletico Madrid 0 - 1 Barcelona : Late Lionel Messi magic moves Barcelona top with win at Atletico Madrid

Lionel Messi hit a sensational late goal to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at title rivals Atletico Madrid which saw the champions reclaim top spot in La Liga from Real Madrid on Sunday.

The Argentine, playing his 701st game for Barca, settled a pulsating and tense encounter in the 86th minute, galloping down the right wing before cutting inside and playing a one-two with Luis Suarez before guiding the ball into the bottom corner.

It was Messi's first goal against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium and gave his side their first win over their rivals at the ground in three attempts after successive draws in the last two seasons.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 2 Mallorca : Messi scores hat trick as Barca rout Mallorca to reclaim top spot in La Liga

Lionel Messi celebrated his sixth Ballon D'Or award with a brilliant hat-trick as Barcelona moved back top of La Liga with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Real Madrid had climbed three points clear after beating Espanyol, but Ernesto Valverde's side were at their vibrant best as they dispatched visitors Mallorca at the Camp Nou.

Antoine Griezmann dinked home the opening goal after being played through by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, six-times Ballon d'Or winner Messi twice curled home from outside the area and Luis Suarez netted a brilliant backheel.

Ante Budimir scored with a deflected effort for Mallorca in the first half and doubled his tally by nodding home, but Messi smashed a shot in late on to complete his treble and round off an impressive win for the Catalans.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Internazionale 1 - 2 Barcelona : Ansu Fati makes history as Barcelona knock out Inter Milan in Champions League

Inter Milan crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday after 17-year-old Ansu Fati became the youngest scorer in the competition's history by firing in a late winner to give Barcelona a 2-1 victory at San Siro.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde rested Lionel Messi and several other key players for the trip to Milan, having already secured top spot in Group F, but Carles Perez put the Spaniards in front on his Champions League debut after just 23 minutes before Romelu Lukaku levelled on the stroke of halftime.

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez had the ball in the net twice after the break, only for both goals to be disallowed for offside, before Fati smashed in a sublime finish inside the final five minutes.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Sociedad 2 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona held to draw at Real Sociedad as Griezmann, Suarez score

Barcelona's six-game winning streak in all competitions came to a halt on Saturday with a 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad which could see the leaders knocked off the top of La Liga by Real Madrid by the end of the weekend ahead of Wednesday's Clasico.

The draw leaves Barca still leading with 35 points from 16 games but Real Madrid, on 34, can take their place at the top if they win at Valencia on Sunday.

Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal gave Sociedad the lead in the 12th minute from the penalty spot after Sergio Busquets was penalised somewhat harshly for tugging the shirt of Diego Llorente while they battled for an aerial ball.

Antoine Griezmann levelled for Barca in the 38th minute, scoring against the club where he began his career by nonchalantly scooping the ball over Alex Remiro after being played in by Luis Suarez in a sweeping counter-attack.

Suarez put the Catalans ahead in the 49th minute, passing a lay-off from Lionel Messi into an empty net.

Sociedad levelled shortly after the hour mark, as Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen failed to properly punch away a cross from Nacho Monreal and Swedish youngster Alexander Isak pounced on the loose ball to smash it home from close range.

Both sides went looking for a winner in a frantic finale and Barca had a strong penalty appeal waved away in stoppage time when Gerard Pique was tugged by Llorente.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Madrid : Barcelona and Real Madrid settle for first goalless draw in last 50 Clasicos

Real Madrid outplayed Barcelona for large parts of Wednesday's La Liga clash but were unable to make their dominance count and the Clasico ended goalless to leave the Catalans top of the standings on goal difference.

Both sides had shots cleared off the line and Gareth Bale did put the ball in the net after the interval but his strike was narrowly ruled out for offside and the fixture ended scoreless for the first time since November, 2002.

The draw left Barca top on 36 points after 17 games with Real also on 36, five clear of third-placed Sevilla.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 1 Alavés : Barcelona rout Alaves as Messi, Griezmann and Suarez net

Barcelona opened up a three-point lead over rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Saturday, defeating Alaves 4-1 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal.

Barca, who drew 0-0 with Madrid at the Camp Nou in El Clasico on Wednesday, opened the scoring 14 minutes in as Griezmann scored his seventh league goal of the season.

The France international found the net with a first-time strike from the edge of the box.

The home side dominated possession throughout the first half as Alaves failed to produce a single shot on target, then doubled their lead on half-time through Chile international Vidal.

Alaves pulled one back shortly before the hour mark, with Pere Pons scoring for the visitors, but their fightback was cut short as Messi curled in his team's third from outside the box.

Messi's strike marked the sixth year in a row he has scored 50 goals in a calendar year.

Suarez completed the scoring with a penalty 15 minutes from time.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Espanyol 2 - 2 Barcelona : Wu Lei strikes late as Espanyol and Barcelona draw in Catalan derby

Chinese striker Wu Lei scored a late goal to earn Espanyol a 2-2 draw with Barcelona in an entertaining affair in the Catalan derby.

Barcelona were trying to move back to the top of La Liga after Real Madrid beat Getafe 3-0 earlier in the day, but they were down 1-0 inside of 25 minutes when David Lopez's glancing header from a free kick left Neto frozen footed in the visitor's goal.

Ivan Rakitic made way for Arturo Vidal at half-time and Barca got back on level terms five minutes after the restart when Luis Suarez beat Diego Lopez at the near post with a first-time shot from Jordi Alba's perfect ball into the penalty area.

Suarez then turned provider, crossing with the outside of his foot for Vidal to head home at the back post and put Barcelona in front 2-1.

Frenkie de Jong picked up a pair of yellow cards in just under 10 minutes and was sent off with a quarter of an hour to play, leaving Barcelona to finish the match shorthanded.

The booking would cost Barcelona as substitute Lei picked up a nice through ball from Matías Vargas, took one look at the goal and blasted a first-time shot past Neto to level the score and become the first Chinese player to score against Barcelona.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 3 Atletico Madrid : Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona to set up Supercopa derby with Madrid

Atletico Madrid battled back to beat Barcelona 3-2 in the semifinals of the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night in a wildly entertaining match that featured five second-half goals.

Both teams fielded full-strength sides for the chance to play Real Madrid, who beat Valencia on Wednesday in the other semi, in the final of the first-ever four-team Super Cup competition.

Barcelona had by far the better of the opening 45 minutes, but were held scoreless by Atleti in the first half despite spending plenty of time in their opponent's penalty area.

Diego Simeone brought Koke on at half-time for Hector Herrera and seconds after the restart the Spain international had Atleti in front, slotting past Neto in the Barca net from a clever Angel Correa assist.

Barcelona hit right back through Lionel Messi, though, as the team's talisman bulldozed his way into the Atleti box and lashed home a shot past Jan Oblak to even the score minutes into the second half.

Messi produced more magic just before the hour mark, with another lovely goal ruled out after VAR showed the ball had bounced off the Barca No. 10's upper arm before he shot.

However, Barca's next goal counted, as Antoine Griezmann nodded in the rebound after a powerful Suarez header from Jordi Alba's inch-perfect, whipped in cross fell to him to make it 2-1.

The wide-open second half raged on and Vitolo, who had only just come off the bench, drew a penalty from Neto for tripping in the area and Alvaro Morata calmly stepped up and sent the Barca keeper the wrong way to get Atleti back on level terms.

Atleti, who hadn't beaten Barca since 2016, were denied a clear penalty for handball on Pique shortly after their equaliser, but they'd take the lead in the 86th minute when Correa got in behind the Barca defence and beat Neto to hand his team the win.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Granada : Messi gives new boss Quique Setien first win in charge at Barcelona

Barcelona may have a new coach but Lionel Messi remains their unquestionable talisman after guiding the Spanish champions to a nervy 1-0 win at home to Granada in La Liga on Sunday in Quique Setien's first game in charge of the club.

The Argentine struck the only goal in the 76th minute, firing into the bottom corner to complete a well crafted team move shortly after the visitors had defender German Sanchez sent off.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

UD Ibiza 1 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona squeak by tiny Ibiza with second-half Antoine Griezmann brace

Antoine Griezmann scored a second-half stoppage time goal for Barcelona as the narrowly beat third-tier minnows Ibiza 2-1 in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.

The goal was Griezmann's second of the night as Barca avoided what would have been a humiliating defeat after trailing at half-time.

Barcelona's new boss Quique Setien rested some of his top players like Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets and found his rotated side trailing before 10 minutes when Pep Caballe finished off a nice team move by the minnows from the Spanish archipelago.

Barca finally drew level in the 72nd minute thanks to Griezmann, who finished neatly from a Frenkie de Jong assist to make it 1-1 and set up a tense finish to the second half.

And with the match looking like it was headed to extra time, Griezmann popped up again to finish a quick-hitting counter-attack to send Barca through to the round of 16.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Valencia 2 - 0 Barcelona : Setien's Barcelona outclassed by Valencia as Maxi Gomez stars

Quique Setien's honeymoon period as Barcelona coach is officially over after a Jordi Alba own goal and a strike from Maxi Gomez helped Valencia to a 2-0 win over the La Liga leaders on Saturday.

Alba deflected home Gomez's shot at the beginning of the second half and the Uruguayan striker, who missed a first-half penalty, then finished off the game in the 77th minute as Valencia earned their first win over Barca at Mestalla since 2008. They have won at Camp Nou since then, mind, and also emerged victorious when the two sides met in last season's Copa del Rey final.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 0 Leganes : Barcelona beat Leganes to reach Copa del Rey quarterfinals

A Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona eased past Leganes 5-0 on Thursday to reach the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.

Last season's Copa runners-up went ahead after four minutes when Nelson Semedo raced onto Messi's through ball and squared for Antoine Griezmann to finish from close range.

Messi turned provider when Clement Lenglet nodded in from a corner to double the Catalan side's advantage.

The Argentine added a deflected third on the hour before rounding off the scoring in the final minute after substitute Arthur had netted the fourth.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Levante : Ansu Fati, 17, youngest to score brace in La Liga

Barcelona teenager Ansu Fati scored twice to lead his side to a 2-1 win at home to Levante on Sunday, finding the net in a league game for the first time in more than four months and becoming the youngest player to net a La Liga double.

Fati, 17, latched on to a superb crossfield ball from Lionel Messi and fired between the legs of Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez to give Barca a deserved lead on the half-hour mark.

The Guinea-Bissau-born forward promptly linked up with Messi again to double Barca's lead two minutes later, getting some good fortune as the ball bobbled through the legs of Fernandez and into the net.

Levante, who beat Barca 3-1 at home earlier this campaign, got a consolation goal in added time through Ruben Rochina.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)[/QUOTE]

[lacoruna69]

Athletic Bilbao 1 - 0 Barcelona : Barcelona out of Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao on last-gasp strike

Record 30-times winners Barcelona were sent crashing out of the Copa del Rey in a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday after a stoppage-time header from Inaki Williams.

Spanish striker Williams glanced a cross into the bottom corner to spark jubilant scenes at a rocking San Mames stadium and recalled Aritz Aduriz's added-time goal in Athletic's 1-0 home win over Barca on the first day of the Liga season.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Betis 2 - 3 Barcelona : Lionel Messi leads Barcelona past Real Betis with a hat trick of assists

Lionel Messi had a trio of assists as Barcelona kept pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid thanks to a 3-2 win over Real Betis in a match that saw both teams finish with 10 players.

Barcelona came into the match trailing Madrid by six points after the leaders beat Osasuna earlier on Sunday and found themselves trailing Betis early when Sergio Canales converted a penalty for hand ball on Clement Lenglet.

The visitors struck right back with an inspired goal to draw level as Frenkie de Jong settled a perfect Messi long ball with his chest and volleyed past Betis keeper Joel Robles with his second touch.

Barca looked ready to add to their lead, but a bad giveaway in midfield sprang the hosts on the counter-attack finished off with a sumptuous strike from Nabil Fekir to put Betis up 2-1.

Betis were seconds away from taking the lead into the dressing room until a free kick into the area fell to Sergio Busquets and he cooly settled it and beat Robles to again draw Barcelona level right before the referee blew the half-time whistle.

Robles came up with two big saves against Messi in the opening 15 minutes of the second half as Barcelona dominated possession but could not find the go-ahead goal.

Lenglet finally headed Barcelona into the lead shortly after the 70-minute mark, out jumping his defender to redirect a Messi cross into the back of the net to give his team a deserved lead.

Both teams were reduced to to 10 players shortly after the go-ahead goal for Barca, as Fekir was given his second yellow card for dissent and Lenglet also getting a second booking for a foul on Joaquin to set up a tense finish.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Getafe : Barcelona go level on points with Real Madrid after Getafe win

Barcelona went level on points with rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Saturday with a 2-1 win against Getafe at the Camp Nou.

Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring for Barca in the 33rd minute, stabbing the ball past goalkeeper David Soria with the outside of his boot after a deft first-time pass from Lionel Messi.

Sergi Roberto soon doubled the hosts' lead, firing past Soria after a well-worked team move.

Getafe pulled one back through Angel on 66 minutes, but Barca were able to see out the game for all three points.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 0 Eibar : Messi nets four as Barcelona hammer Eibar after difficult week

Lionel Messi scored four goals as Barcelona eased to a 5-0 victory at home to Eibar on Saturday.

Messi showed his class with a stunning opener on 14 minutes as he bamboozled three defenders before showing incredible balance to dink the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

Messi added a second on 37 minutes when he ran onto Arturo Vidal's pass to smash the ball across Dmitrovic and into the far corner.

He completed his hat trick on 40 minutes as he took advantage of some lax defending. The Argentina forward attempted to tee up strike partner Antoine Griezmann, but the ball found its way back to Messi, who coolly slotted home.

New signing Martin Braithwaite came on for his debut with late on and had a hand in the fourth as his effort was saved into Messi's path, but the 32-year-old still took the opportunity to sit Dmitrovic down before passing into an empty net three minutes from time.

Artur added a fifth on 89 minutes as Barca returned to the top of the table.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Napoli 1 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona problems grow in feisty Champions League draw with Napoli

(1st Leg)

Barcelona came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday as Antoine Griezmann netted a vital away goal in the round-of-16 first leg.

On a difficult evening for Barca, Napoli took the lead on the half-hour mark when Dries Mertens curled a superb effort past Marc-Andre ter Stegen from outside the box.

The finish saw the Belgium international become the joint-highest scorer in Napoli history with 121 goals -- level with Marek Hamsik.

The home team frustrated Barca for much of the first half, but the visitors equalised on 57 minutes when Nelson Semedo crossed for Griezmann to finish a well-worked move in clinical fashion.

What had been a feisty affair ended with Barca's Arturo Vidal receiving two yellow cards at once to be dismissed and teammate Gerard Pique being substituted after sustaining an ankle injury.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[PaulMerson]

Real Madrid taught Barcelona a lesson this morning.

Barcelona will not win this Champions League.

[lacoruna69]

Real Madrid 2 - 0 Barcelona : Real Madrid beat Barcelona, top La Liga in second Clasico of the season

Real Madrid showed their character by beating Barcelona 2-0 in Sunday's top-of-the-table Clasico, leapfrogging their rivals at the La Liga summit after a week in which their pride had taken a beating at home and in Europe.

Brazilian teenager Vinicius Junior scored the opener in the 71st minute with a strike that deflected off Gerard Pique, flummoxing goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who had made some jaw-dropping saves, and substitute Mariano added the second in added time.

Real's victory means they lead the standings on 56 points after 26 games, with Barca slipping to second spot on 55, while Zinedine Zidane's side also crucially have the better head-to-head record in the event both sides finish level on points.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Madrid taught Barcelona a lesson this morning.

Barcelona will not win this Champions League.

Over the years, they had grown too dependent on Messi.
He played well, Barca wins.
With Messi getting old, there are certain matches in which he can't perform.
Barcelona got no plan B.

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Sociedad : Late Messi penalty moves Barcelona back atop La Liga table

Lionel Messi kept his nerve from the penalty spot to give Barcelona a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday and return his side to the top of the table.

Barca's all-time top scorer calmly chipped the ball into the net in the 81st minute after Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand had been penalised following a VAR review for hitting the ball with his arm as he contested a cross.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[PaulMerson]

Major slip on with RM and Barca is now top choice to retain La Liga trophy.

CL will be tougher though.

[lacoruna69]

Mallorca 0 - 4 Barcelona : Lionel Messi scores as Barcelona handle Mallorca in return to La Liga action

Lionel Messi scored and grabbed two assists as La Liga leaders Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win away to struggling Mallorca on Saturday, making the perfect return to action after Spanish football's three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The champions got off to a flying start when Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal scored with a diving header in the second minute, while Danish international Martin Braithwaite scored his first goal for Barca later in the first half.

Jordi Alba then added a third goal for Barca in the 79th minute after latching on to a through ball from Messi, who had also set up Braithwaite's goal. The Argentine then completed the scoring with a deflected strike in stoppage time.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 0 Leganes : Lionel Messi scores 699th career goal as Barcelona cruise past Leganes

Lionel Messi scored his 699th career goal as Barcelona extended their lead atop the La Liga table with a 2-0 victory over Leganes on Tuesday.

The win gives the Blaugrana 64 points from 29 matches, five points ahead of Real Madrid who have yet to play this round.

Teenager Ansu Fati opened the scoring three minutes from halftime with a composed finish after receiving the ball at the edge of the box.

Messi added the second from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after drawing a Jonathan Silva foul in the box -- the Argentine sending goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar the wrong way to move within a goal of 700 for club and country.

It was Messi's 56th converted penalty in La Liga and saw him draw level with Hugo Sanchez as the league's second-top penalty taker, behind record holder Cristiano Ronaldo on 61.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 0 - 0 Barcelona : Messi, Barcelona stifled in scoreless draw at Sevilla

Title-chasing Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at Sevilla FC in an empty stadium on Friday as they dropped points in La Liga for the first time since the season re-started after the hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Barca's Lionel Messi went into the match on 699 career goals but failed to get his 700th for club and country, coming closest with a first-half free kick which was headed off the line.

Sergio Reguilon had a glorious chance to snatch a winner in added time when the ball fell into his path from close range but he hit it into the ground and Barca keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen made a comfortable save for the reigning champions.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Athletic Bilbao : Messi stays at 699 goals as Rakitic helps Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic scored his first goal of the season to give his side a 1-0 win at home to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, averting a second successive draw which would have further dented the champions' La Liga title defence.

Barca had slipped off the top of the table after Friday's 0-0 draw at Sevilla and put in another sluggish display at an empty Camp Nou, as the star-studded front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann failed to sparkle.

They finally found a way through in the 71st minute when Messi slipped the ball into the path of Croatia midfielder Rakitic, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes and kept his nerve to beat Athletic's in-form goalkeeper Unai Simon.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Celta Vigo 2 - 2 Barcelona : Suarez brace not enough a Barcelona slump to draw at Celta Vigo

Spain striker Iago Aspas dealt a fresh blow to Barcelona's La Liga title hopes by striking a late free kick to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to the Catalans on Saturday as Quique Setien's side twice threw away the lead in a thrilling match.

The draw put Barca back on top of the table on 69 points after 32 games but Real Madrid, on 68, can go two points clear at the summit if they beat Espanyol away from home on Sunday.

Luis Suarez headed Barca in front in the 20th minute thanks to a piece of ingenuity from Lionel Messi, who looked certain to fire at goal from a free kick but instead lofted the ball towards his Uruguayan strike partner.

Russia striker Fedor Smolov equalised for Celta early in the second half, knocking in a pass from Okay Yokuslu to complete a quick counterattack after Barca's Ivan Rakitic had given the ball away.

But Suarez restored Barca's lead in the 67th minute after combining again with Messi, swivelling to fire into the bottom corner.

The second goal looked to have averted a second consecutive away draw for Barca after last week's goalless stalemate at Sevilla but Aspas won a late free kick after falling over the outstretched legs of Gerard Pique.

Celta's talismanic striker made the late opportunity count by sending a low drive around the wall and into the near bottom corner, flummoxing Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Celta should have won the game in added time when Nolito arrived at the far post with the goal gaping, but instead of tapping into the net his shot went straight at Ter Stegen.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 2 Atletico Madrid : Barcelona and Atletico Madrid draw after three penalties and an own goal

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played to a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night in a match that saw three penalties converted and an own goal make up the final scoreline.

The game saw Lionel Messi net his 700th career goal for Barcelona and Argentina, but the result means more dropped points for La Liga's defending champions as they are one behind first-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand against Getafe on Thursday.

The two sides traded goals inside the opening 20 minutes with a Messi corner kick finding its way into the back of the net off the leg of Diego Costa for an own goal.

Minutes later, Saul Niguez levelled from the penalty spot after Marc-Andre ter Stegen was adjudged to have left his line early by VAR on his initial save from Costa's effort.

Messi's 700th finally came early in the second half when the Argentine beat Oblak from the penalty spot with a cheeky chip to give his team a 2-1 lead and become just the seventh player in football to reach that mark.

Atleti drew level in the 62nd minute with yet another penalty, Saul converting his second of the night after Yannick Carrasco was tripped by Nelson Semedo, who had just drawn the foul for Messi's penalty earlier in the half.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Villarreal 1 - 4 Barcelona : Barcelona get inspired win over Villarreal, keep pace with Real Madrid

Barcelona responded to a trying week by thrashing Villarreal 4-1 away to stay alive in the Liga title race, producing one of their best displays under coach Quique Setien.

The Catalans had drawn their last two matches to hand more momentum to league leaders Real Madrid but Sunday's win took them to 73 points after 34 games, four behind their arch-rivals who won 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao earlier on Sunday.

An own goal from Pau Torres put Barca in front in the third minute, with Villarreal's Gerard Moreno levelling on the rebound in the 14th before the visitors restored their lead through an outstanding curling strike from Luis Suarez six minutes later.

Antoine Griezmann stretched Barca's advantage just before the break with a sublime chip, having been dropped from the starting lineup in the last two games, while 17-year-old Ansu Fati added a fourth in the second half with a low strike.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Espanyol : Suarez saves Barcelona over relegated Espanyol in nervy derby win

Barcelona kept up their pursuit of leaders Real Madrid in the La Liga title race by beating city rivals Espanyol 1-0 at home on Wednesday, also condemning their neighbours to relegation from the top flight.

Luis Suarez struck the only goal of the game in the 56th minute, lashing a loose ball into the net for his 195th goal with Barca which took him past Hungarian Laszlo Kubala as the club's third top scorer of all time.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Valladolid 0 - 1 Barcelona : Vidal strike helps Barcelona keep pace with Real Madrid

Lionel Messi notched a 20th assist of the season to help a lacklustre Barcelona secure a 1-0 win away to Real Valladolid on Saturday, maintaining the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal struck the only goal of the game in the 15th minute, firing into the net off the post after being played in by Messi, who now has 20 assists in the league to go with his 22 goals.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 2 Osasuna : Barcelona lose to Osasuna, concede La Liga crown to Real Madrid

Barcelona's title hopes disappeared following a 2-1 loss with Osasuna as Real Madrid were crowned La Liga champions.

Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Villarreal secured the league title on 86 points for the capital club, condemning Barca to 79 points and second place with one match left in the season.

Osasuna took the lead at Camp Nou in the 15th minute on Jose Arnaiz's right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. But Lionel Messi equalised it on a superb bend around the wall on a free kick in the 62nd, clipping the post past goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

Luis Suarez, who came on as a second-half substitute, seemingly got the equaliser on a acrobatic volley in the 68th minute from Messi's pass, but the goal was ruled offside.

Osasuna's Enric Gallego received a red card for an elbow to Clement Lenglet in the 78th minute but Barca could not take advantage of the extra man to net the game winner.

Instead, Barcelona's frustrating season was summed up when Roberto Torres snatched a winner deep into stoppage time, catching the defence flat-footed before hammering home Enrique Barja's cross.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Alavés 0 - 5 Barcelona : Dethroned Barcelona ride Messi, beat Alaves 5-0 on final day of La Liga

Dethroned La Liga champions Barcelona beat Alaves 5-0 with thanks to a brace from Lionel Messi on the final day of the Spanish league on Sunday.

Ansu Fati, Messi, Luis Suarez and Nelson Semedo all found the net for the Catalan side.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Napoli : Barcelona oust Napoli to reach 13th straight Champions League quarterfinal

(2nd Leg : Barcelona advance 4-2 on aggregate)

A fired-up Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a 3-1 win at home to Napoli on Saturday for a 4-2 aggregate victory which took the club into the Champions League quarter-finals for the 13th consecutive season where they face Bayern Munich.

The Catalans had a shaky start but took the lead in the 10th minute with a powerful header from a corner by Clement Lenglet before Messi scored a superb second in the 23rd, seeing off four defenders to curl the ball into the far bottom corner.

Messi had the ball in the net again soon after following a superb team move but the goal was harshly ruled out for handball by the Argentine following a VAR review, although Messi later won a penalty which Luis Suarez converted for Barca's third.

Napoli got one back when Lorenzo Insigne converted a spot kick at the end of the first half and were the better side after the interval but Barca survived to set up a mouth-watering clash with Bayern in the Final Eight tournament in Lisbon next Friday.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[charlienicholas]

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-2

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12090/12046540/charlies-european-predictions-man-city-look-to-reach-last-four-of-champions-league

[escobar43535]

I think Munich shall win instead.

Actually I hope Munich go all the way and win the CL.

[charlienicholas]

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-2

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12090/12046540/charlies-european-predictions-man-city-look-to-reach-last-four-of-champions-league

Final results

Barca 2 - 8 Bayern Munich

[charlienicholas]

I think Munich shall win instead.

Actually I hope Munich go all the way and win the CL.


Gerard Pique says Barcelona have hit rock bottom after shocking 8-2 defeat

Barcelona were beaten 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, one of the worst defeats in their history.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12049622/gerard-pique-says-barcelona-have-hit-rock-bottom-after-shocking-8-2-defeat

[escobar43535]

Gerard Pique says Barcelona have hit rock bottom after shocking 8-2 defeat

Barcelona were beaten 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, one of the worst defeats in their history.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12049622/gerard-pique-says-barcelona-have-hit-rock-bottom-after-shocking-8-2-defeat
Told you so.
That said did not expect such a two leg score line in a single play off tie.

Anyways, happy to see Barcelona get hammered.
Munich - Do the same to City, please.

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 8 Bayern Munich : Bayern Munich humiliated Barcelona to reach Champions League semifinals

Bayern Munich totally embarrassed Barcelona in a 8-2 Champions League win on Friday night to book a spot in the semifinals of the tournament in Lisbon.

The loss was Barcelona's worst-ever in the Champions League, while Bayern became the first team to score eight goals in a UCL knockout-round game.

The match got off to a cracking start with Thomas Muller putting Bayern ahead early and David Alaba conceding an own goal to Barcelona minutes later to put the scoreline at 1-1 inside of the opening 10 minutes.

Bayern then went back in front just past the 20-minute mark when Ivan Perisic picked up a pass from Serge Gnabry and fired past Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a shot that took a slight deflection and wound up in the roof of the net.

It was 4-1 in Bayern's favour soon after as a rapid-fire few minutes saw Muller set up Gnabry with a lovely first-time pass for a goal before notching his second of the match at the near post from a Joshua Kimmich assist.

The German champions took the three-goal lead into the dressing room, with Barcelona reeling after an opening 45 minutes that saw them concede four in the opening half of a UCL knockout-round game for the first time in club history.

Luis Suarez looked to have given Barca a lifeline in the second half with an early goal, but Bayern hit right back when Alphonso Davies tip-toed down the endline and cut a pass back to Kimmich for an easy first time finish to make it 5-2.

Bayern continued to pile on, this time through Robert Lewandowski, who headed home a cross from Barcelona loanee Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho then scored a goal of his own minutes later and added a second before full-time to complete the Bundesliga champions' 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Told you so.
That said did not expect such a two leg score line in a single play off tie.

Anyways, happy to see Barcelona get hammered.
Munich - Do the same to City, please.

They had been too dependent on Messi and it doesn't help Messi clout was strong. New players are compelled to play to accomodate Messi.

Messi time had come to an end. Nonetheless, we will always remember this great player.

[escobar43535]

They had been too dependent on Messi and it doesn't help Messi clout was strong. New players are compelled to play to accomodate Messi.

Messi time had come to an end. Nonetheless, we will always remember this great player.

Yes.

Messi is no captain when the team is down as well. He and senior players like Pique looked bewildered and demolished at half time.

But you are also right, Messi definitely up there with the GOATs in world football.

Also have to add, ironically the best Barca player on the pitch on Friday night was none other than Coutinho:D

Btw my sincere and deepest apologies to Rudi Garcia and his boys from Lyon for writing them off so soon. Wonder what the odds were on a Lyon win or even tastier a 3-1 Lyon win.

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Gimnastic de Tarragona : Lionel Messi plays 45 minutes in Barcelona friendly win over Gimnastic

Barcelona beat second-division Gimnastic de Tarragona 3-1 in a preseason friendly on Saturday, with Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele each making encouraging returns by scoring in Ronald Koeman's first game in charge.

Lionel Messi wore the captain's armband in his first match since he opted to abandon his plans to leave Barca, although Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal were left out of the squad as the club is still trying to offload both players.

French winger Dembele rolled the ball into the net to put Barca ahead in the sixth minute in his first appearance since November 2019, having undergone surgery to treat a ruptured hamstring tendon.

Antoine Griezmann added to Barca's advantage by converting a penalty in the 16th minute although defender Javi Bonilla scored a superb goal from the edge of the area to pull one back for Gimnastic on the half-hour mark.

Club record signing Coutinho got the third goal in the 51st, also from the penalty spot.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Girona : Lionel Messi scores twice in Barcelona friendly win over Girona

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona eased to a 3-1 victory over Girona in their second preseason friendly under Ronald Koeman on Wednesday.

Philippe Coutinho struck the crossbar early on before giving Barca the lead midway through the first half, tapping into an empty net after brilliant link play between Messi and new signing Francisco Trincao.

Messi then doubled Barca's advantage later in the half, spinning away from a defender to thump a shot in off the post and score for the first time since threatening to leave the club last month.

Samu Saiz scored for Girona right at the start of the second period but Barca's captain struck again in the 50th minute, also cutting inside to shoot from outside the area but this time benefiting from a heavy deflection.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Elche : Griezmann strike gives Barca third friendly win in a row

An early strike from Antoine Griezmann gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at home to Elche their final pre-season friendly (Trofeo Joan Gamper) on Saturday, making it three victories from three for new coach Ronald Koeman's side.

Griezmann slotted home a Jordi Alba cut-back in the second minute after a pass from Lionel Messi, who was playing in a deeper role than in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Girona when he scored twice.

Barca begin their La Liga campaign next Sunday at home to Villarreal.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 0 Villarreal : Fati stars as Barcelona kick off Koeman reign with comfortable win

Barcelona kicked off the Ronald Koeman era in style with an impressive 4-0 home win against Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday.

Koeman, who has overseen the departures of several established names at the club this summer, named a starting XI that included Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho.

But it was young forward Ansu Fati who opened the scoring, firing home from a Jordi Alba pull-back in the 15th minute.

The 17-year-old, who was officially promoted to Barca's first-team squad last week, added a second in the 19th minute after Coutinho led a counter-attack.

Messi added a third on 35 minutes, scoring a penalty after Fati was fouled by Mario Gaspar. Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo got a hand to the spot-kick but was unable to stop it.

And Barca added a fourth before half-time when Pau Torres put Messi's cross, intended for Sergio Busquets, into his own net.

The hosts continued to dominate the game in the second half without managing to add to their hefty advantage.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Celta Vigo 0 - 3 Barcelona : Lionel Messi guides 10-man Barcelona to win over Celta Vigo

Barcelona rode a goal from Ansu Fati and an inspired performance from Lionel Messi to a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Thursday night in La Liga.

The win makes it two from two for new Barca boss Ronald Koeman, whose team earned the result despite playing the entire second half down a man.

Barca wasted no time taking the lead through teenager Fati, who made a clever move to get behind the Celta defence before flashing his class with an even-better finish with the outside of his right foot.

The visitors took the 1-0 lead into the dressing room, but were dealt a blow right before half-time when Clement Lenglet was shown a second yellow card that forced his team to play the second half with 10 players.

Messi's fancy footwork then led to Barcelona's second goal shortly after the restart as his right-footed effort was redirected into the goal by Celta's Lucas Olaza after the Argentine tip-toed his way into the penalty area.

A goalmouth scramble led to Barca's third goal when Roberto smashed home a volley from close range following another incisive run into the area by Messi wreaked havoc on the Celta defence.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 1 Sevilla FC : Barcelona draw with Sevilla FC as Sergino Dest makes debut

Barcelona and Sevilla FC played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Camp Nou on Sunday, with U.S. international Sergino Dest making his debut for the Catalans.

The two sides traded goals inside of the first 10 minutes with Luuk de Jong striking for Sevilla ahead of Philippe Coutinho's equaliser for Barcelona.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Getafe 1 - 0 Barcelona : Barcelona lose to Getafe as USMNT's Sergino Dest gets first start

Barcelona fell to their first defeat in La Liga under new coach Ronald Koeman as they lost 1-0 at Getafe on Saturday in a match that saw United States youngster Sergino Dest make his debut start.

Getafe forward Jaime Mata sent Barca goalkeeper Neto the wrong way from the penalty spot to score the only goal in the 56th minute after visiting midfielder Frenkie de Jong had been penalised for treading on Djene Dakonam's foot.

The result left Barca ninth with seven points after four games, a week before the Clasico at home to Real Madrid, who remain top on 10 points having played five matches. Getafe's win puts them level on points with the league leaders.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 1 Ferencvaros : Messi, Fati score early goals in Barcelona rout over Ferencvaros

Lionel Messi became the first player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons as he guided 10-man Barcelona to a 5-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Group G opener at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Messi netted from the penalty spot in the first half for his 116th career goal in the competition, before the lively Ansu Fati added a second.

Philippe Coutinho grabbed another goal early in the second half but Barca defender Gerard Pique was dismissed for impeding Tokmac Nguen, leading to a penalty for the visitors that was converted by Igor Kharatin.

Any thoughts of a dramatic comeback were quashed though as 17-year-old Pedri netted his first Barca goal after arriving from second-tier Las Palmas at the start of the season, and Ousmane Dembele added the fifth late on.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 3 Real Madrid : Real Madrid overcome Barcelona 3-1 in entertaining El Clasico

Goals from Federico Valverde, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric helped Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 in an entertaining and end-to-end El Clasico. Ansu Fati scores for Barcelona which turns out to be a mere consolation.

The victory is a big one for Zinedine Zidane who was under pressure after two shock defeats to newly promoted Cadiz in La Lifa and an under strength Shakhtar Donestsk in the Champions League in midweek.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Juventus 0 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona down Juventus with goals from Messi, Dembele

Barcelona made it two wins from two in the Champions League Group G with a 2-0 win over Juventus in Turin on Wednesday night.

Juventus were without Cristiano Ronaldo, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 13, meaning a matchup pitting the Portuguese against Lionel Messi for the first time since 2018 would have to wait until at least the second group encounter.

Barca problem child Ousmane Dembele got the start alongside Messi and he rewarded Ronald Koeman's faith early on with a goal from outside the penalty area to give the visitors the lead.

Juventus Alvaro Morata had 2 goals disallowed for offside after review by VAR.

The hosts' hopes of getting back in the game took a big hit in the 84th minute when Merih Demiral was sent off after receiving a second yellow card to leave Juve with only 10 players to the match.

Messi then put the game away from the penalty spot after Ansu Fati was hauled down in the box to reach the final scoreline.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Alavés 1 - 1 Barcelona : Griezmann goal helps struggling Barcelona draw after Neto gaffe

Barcelona goalkeeper Neto made an embarrassing gaffe as his side were held to a 1-1 draw away to Alaves on Saturday, despite playing the final half an hour with an extra man.

Barca fell behind in the 31st minute after a moment of madness from Brazilian keeper Neto, who clumsily allowed a back pass from Gerard Pique to trickle through his legs towards goal, and Luis Rioja nipped in to nudge the ball into the empty net.

Alaves midfielder Jota was sent off in the 62nd minute for a second booking and Antoine Griezmann levelled moments later but while the Catalans kept on pouring forward they failed to take their flurry of late chances.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Dynamo Kiev : Messi, Ter Stegen help Barcelona fend off Dynamo Kiev

Barcelona earned a far from convincing 2-1 win at home to a depleted Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday as Lionel Messi scored a penalty for the third Champions League game in a row with the Spaniards maintaining their winning start to the group stage.

The Argentine, who had also scored spot-kicks in wins over Group G opponents Ferencvaros and Juventus, tucked away a penalty in the fifth minute while Gerard Pique netted in the second half, glancing in a fine cross from Ansu Fati.

Dynamo, who were missing six players due to COVID-19 positives, which also afflicted five members of staff, gave a decent account of themselves and spurned a couple of chances to equalise as well as having a goal from a corner ruled out due to the ball going out of play.

They deservedly pulled a late goal back in the 75th minute when Viktor Tsygankov slid the ball into the net, pouncing on a rebound after Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry a shot from Benjamin Verbic.

The victory put Barca on the verge of a place in the knockout stages, leaving them top on nine points after three games, with Juventus second on six and Dynamo and Ferencvaros with a point each.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 2 Real Betis : Super sub Messi bags brace as Barcelona beat Real Betis

Substitute Lionel Messi made the difference with two goals for Barcelona in the second half as they beat Real Betis 5-2 on Saturday.

Messi was named on the Barcelona bench for the first time since September 2019, having played every minute of Barcelona's last 37 games, and was brought on for the second half with the sides level at 1-1 after goals from Ousmane Dembele and Antonio Sanabria.

The Argentina international quickly set up a goal for Antoine Griezmann and then scored a penalty before Lorenzo Moron pulled one back for Real Betis. However, Messi had more in the tank and scored his first non-penalty goal of the season. Pedri added a fifth to ensure a Barcelona win.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Barcelona : Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona 1-0 for Simeone's first La Liga win over Messi & Co.

Atletico Madrid pulled off their first La Liga win over Barcelona in more than a decade as Yannick Carrasco capitalised on a blunder from Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to secure a 1-0 victory at an empty Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.

Belgian winger Carrasco broke the deadlock at the end of the first half, pulling off a classy backheel to knock the ball through the legs of Ter Stegen and keep his composure in front of goal after the German had charged out of his area.

Atletico got the victory without joint-top scorer Luis Suarez, who was deprived of a reunion with his former side after testing positive for COVID-19, but they were more than worthy winners.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Dynamo Kiev 0 - 4 Barcelona : Barcelona win as Sergino Dest scores historic U.S. goal

Sergino Dest became the first U.S. international to score for Barcelona in their 4-0 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman fielded a team without talisman Lionel Messi and midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with both players staying behind in Spain to rest because of a club and country fixture pileup in recent weeks.

The Catalans seemed to miss Messi in the final third, as they dominated possession throughout a scoreless first half but never created any legitimate scoring chances.

However, the visitors found themselves in front when Dest, the first American to play for Barcelona, finished smoothly following a nice interchange with Carles Alena and Martin Braithwaite to put his side up 1-0.

The goal makes Dest the 10th U.S. international to score a goal in the Champions League.

Braithwaite doubled the advantage minutes later when he poked home at the far post from a flicked-on Oscar Mingueza header following a corner to pad the Catalans' lead.

Barcelona's third came once again courtesy of Braithwaite, who fired in his second of the night from the penalty spot around 70 minutes to secure his team's fourth win from four in the Champions League.

Substitute Antoine Griezmann added further gloss to the scoreline with a goal in stoppage time.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 0 Osasuna : Messi dedicates goal to Maradona in Barcelona win

Lionel Messi dedicated a goal to the late Diego Maradona on his return to the Barcelona team in a 4-0 romp against Osasuna on Sunday.

Messi, who had been rested for the 4-0 win against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday, scored the fourth goal and celebrated by revealing a Newell's Old Boys shirt in Maradona's honour, after he died at the age of 60 on Wednesday.

https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2020%2F1129%2Fr782254_1296x518_5% 2D2.jpg&w=768&h=307&scale=crop&cquality=80&location=origin&format=jpg

Barca, who had begun the day 14th in La Liga, won comfortably with Martin Braithwaite, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho also on the scoresheet.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Ferencvaros 0 - 3 Barcelona : Barcelona easily beat Ferencvaros ahead of Juventus bout

Barcelona out-classed Ferencvaros and eased their way to a 3-0 away win on Wednesday for a fifth consecutive Champions League victory which took them to the brink of clinching top spot in their group.

Lionel Messi was rested and missed a second European trip in a row but Barca barely noticed their captain's absence as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Martin Braithwaite and a penalty from Ousmane Dembele gave them a three-goal lead before the break.

Ronald Koeman's side continued to dominate in the second half and Dembele missed three chances to add to their lead while Miralem Pjanic also came close.

Barca, who have already qualified for the knockout stages, lead Group G with a maximum 15 points. They host second-placed Juventus in their final game next week and will finish top if they avoid defeat.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Cádiz 2 - 1 Barcelona : Cadiz shock Barcelona despite Lionel Messi's return for the Catalans

Cadiz pulled off a shock 2-1 win over Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday night, piling on to the mounting troubles for the Blaugrana in their domestic campaign this season.

The hosts took a shock lead from a corner kick when Marc-Andre ter Stegen palmed the ball into the path of Alvaro Gimenez, who simply had to tap it into the net to make it 1-0.

The goal seemed to enliven Barca, who were firmly in control for the remainder of the half, but save for a near miss by Martin Braithwaite the visitors could not score and went into the half-time break trailing.

Koeman rang the changes at half-time in an attempt to spark his team, with Pedri replacing Oscar Mingueza and Ousmane Dembele coming on for Philippe Coutinho.

Barca continued to dominate possession and drew level just before the hour mark when Messi played in Jordi Alba and his shot from a tight angle took a fortuitous deflection off Pedro Alcalá to beat Cadiz keeper Jeremias Ledesma for an own goal.

However, Cadiz took the lead again minutes later when a miscommunication between Clement Lenglet and Ter Stegen following a throw in left Alvaro Negredo alone for a simple tap in to Barcelona's open net.

Barca poured on the pressure down the stretch and Messi saw two good chances go right to Ledesma, but Cadiz were up to the task and saw out the match to take all three points and stay ahead of the Catalans in La Liga.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 0 - 3 Juventus : Ronaldo brace, McKennie volley power Juventus past Messi's Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Weston McKennie added another as Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 in a much-anticipated Group G finale on Tuesday.

The win saw the Italians top the table on head-to head results with Barca, leaving Lionel Messi & Co. to settle for second place on a disappointing night at the Camp Nou.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Levante : Barcleona's Messi on cusp of Pele's goal mark in nervy win

Lionel Messi dragged a nervous Barcelona to a 1-0 win at home to Levante in La Liga on Sunday to cool tensions after a chaotic week at the Catalan club.

With his 642nd goal in a Barca shirt, Messi now is on the cusp of tying Pele for most goals with a single club. The Brazil legend notched 643 for Santos during his playing days.

Barca had dominated Sunday's game but failed to keep their composure in front of goal until Messi latched on to a through ball from Frenkie de Jong and thumped it in off the far post in the 76th minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Real Sociedad : Alba, De Jong steer Barcelona over La Liga leaders Real Sociedad

Barcelona finally made a statement of intent in what has been a chaotic season as they came from behind to beat La Liga leaders Real Sociedad 2-1 at home on Wednesday.

Brazilian striker Willian Jose gave the visitors the lead from close range in the 27th minute but Barca came right back at them, levelling four minutes later when Jordi Alba smashed the ball into the top corner with his weaker right foot.

The Catalans took the lead shortly before halftime when Frenkie de Jong arrived into the box and poked home a cross from Alba, initially seeing the goal ruled out for offside but then celebrating when it was awarded after a VAR review.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 2 Valencia : Barcelona's Messi equals Pele goal tally in home draw

Lionel Messi equalled Pele's all-time record of 643 one-club goals as Barcelona dropped more points with a 2-2 draw against Valencia at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Valencia took the lead through Mouctar Diakhaby's header on 29 minutes, but Messi pulled Barca level deep into first-half stoppage time.

Barca took the lead on 52 minutes, thanks to Ronald Araujo's acrobatic finish, but the home side were pegged back on 69 minutes as Maxi Gomez levelled for Valencia.

The result leaves Ronald Koeman's side eight points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, who have played a game less.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Valladolid 0 - 3 Barcelona : Barcelona cruise past Real Valladolid on record night for Lionel Messi

Barcelona made short work of Real Valladolid in a 3-0 La Liga win on a record-setting night for club talisman Lionel Messi on Tuesday.

Messi went into the match needing a goal to break Pele's mark for most with a single club and went close twice in the opening 20 minutes before setting up Clement Lenglet for a header to give Barcelona a first-half lead.

Barcelona doubled their lead in the 35th minute with Messi once again pulling the strings, playing Sergino Dest into the area to cross for Martin Braithwaite, who stretched out and poked home from close range to give the visitors a 2-0 break at the half.

Messi's record goal for Barcelona came midway through the second half when Pedri's cheeky flick gave his teammate clear sight of the goal and the Argentine made no mistake about his finish past Jordi Masip.

It was the Barca talisman's 644th goal with the club, eclipsing the 643 goals that Brazil legend Pele scored for Santos during his career.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 1 Eibar : Barcelona held by Eibar as Lionel Messi watches from stands

Barcelona were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Eibar in La Liga on Tuesday as Lionel Messi watched from the stands at the Camp Nou.

Ronald Koeman's side went into the game without the services of Messi, who was granted an extended holiday break by the Dutch manager earlier in the week to deal with an ankle issue.

Barca had the chance to take the lead inside of 15 minutes after VAR awarded them a penalty, but Martin Braithwaite skewed his spot kick wide of the goal and match remained scoreless.

The hosts dominated possession, but it was Eibar that had the better of the chances as Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made two solid saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0 going into half-time.

Barcelona came firing out of the gates in the second half, with an enlivened attack leading to a pair of near misses from Ousmane Dembele and Miralem Pjanic in the opening five minutes after the restart.

Despite the strong start, it was Eibar who would score first when Kike dispossessed Ronald Araujo and calmly slotted past Ter Stegen to stake the visitors to the lead just before the hour mark.

Dembele made amends for an earlier miss to draw Barca level when he chipped Eibar's Marko Dmitrovic from a fine run and assist by Junior Firpo.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Huesca 0 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona rise to fifth in La Liga with win at Huesca

Barcelona edged La Liga's basement club Huesca 1-0 on Sunday courtesy of a Frenkie de Jong goal made by Lionel Messi in the Argentine's 500th league appearance for the club.

Dutch midfielder De Jong arrived at the far post to meet a Messi cross and score on the volley in the 27th minute to give the visitors a deserved lead after a rampant start.

But Ronald Koeman's side failed to take their many other chances and in the end were made to sweat for all three points.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Athletic Bilbao 2 - 3 Barcelona : Messi brace lifts Barcelona to win over Athletic Bilbao

Lionel Messi was at the top of his game as Barcelona earned a 3-2 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday to move up to third in La Liga.

Athletic got off to a dream start in their first match under new coach Marcelino when forward Inaki Williams latched on to a low through ball and raced towards goal, beating one defender before firing low into the net in the third minute.

Barca quickly responded, however, with a sensational team goal, Messi delivering a superb pass to pick out Frenkie de Jong by the byline and the Dutchman volleyed the ball back across the area for 18-year-old Pedri to head home.

Messi and Pedri combined beautifully to put Barca ahead, the youngster receiving a pass from the Argentine before returning it with a delightful backheel and Messi rolled the ball into the bottom corner in the 38th minute.

Messi struck again in the 62nd minute to finish off another brilliant team move and missed a couple of chances to complete his hat-trick, although Iker Muniain made for a tense finale by scoring for Athletic in the 90th.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Granada 0 - 4 Barcelona : Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann each bagged two goals as Barcelona eased to a comfortable 4-0 victory at Granada on Saturday.

Griezmann ended his goal drought of nine matches in all competitions as Barca closed the gap on the Madrid clubs at the top of the table.

Barca took the lead after 12 minutes when Griezmann reacted quickest inside the box and finished into the bottom corner.

Griezmann then turned provider when he set up Messi who curled the ball into the top corner.

Messi scored his second just before half-time with a stunning free-kick. The Barca captain has now scored 10 goals or more in La Liga for the 15th consecutive campaign.

Griezmann grabbed his second of the match after 63 minutes with a half-volley from a tight angle.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Sociedad 1 - 1 Barcelona : Messi-less Barcelona reach Supercopa final on pens.

(Barcelona wins 3-2 on penalties)

Barcelona advanced to the Spanish Supercopa final after defeating Real Sociedad 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

The Catalans played Wednesday's semifinal in Cordoba without the services of captain Lionel Messi, who was ruled out with an undisclosed injury that saw him subbed out of last week's league win over Granada.

Barca advance to the final of the tournament -- which features the winners and runners-up of last season's La Liga and the Copa del Rey -- with the other semifinal set for Thursday against Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao in Malaga. The final will be held at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville on Sunday.

Barcelona took the lead in the first half with Frenkie de Jong's acrobatic header, after Antoine Griezmann picked out his Dutch teammate for the lovely goal.

But La Real equalised the affair in the 51st minute when VAR confirmed the ball hit De Jong's arm on a cross into the box, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting the successful kick from the spot.

Both teams went back and forth with several good looks for the duration, but neither side were able to find the second goal before penalties decided the match.

Both De Jong and Griezmann missed their attempts in the penalty shootout but Ousmane Dembele, Miralem Pjanic, and Ricard Puig were successful in their chances. Mikel Merino and Adnan Januzaj converted for the Basque side.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 3 Athletic Bilbao : Messi sent off for violent conduct as Athletic Bilbao shock Barcelona to win Supercopa

(After Extra Time)

Lionel Messi was sent off for the first time in his Barcelona career in the closing stages of extra time as they lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Supercopa on Sunday.

Messi, who returned to the starting lineup after missing the semifinal victory over Real Sociedad through injury, was dismissed after striking Asier Villalibre in the final minute.

The Argentine had been heavily involved in a more positive way as Barca took the lead five minutes before the break.

Messi's goalbound effort was blocked, falling to the feet of Antoine Griezmann, who netted the first of his two goals.

Bilbao's riposte was immediate as Oscar De Marcos met Inaki Williams' cross two minutes later to send the sides in level at halftime.

Raul Garcia had a header disallowed for offside by VAR after the restart as Bilbao enjoyed the better chances in a tense affair.

However, French forward Griezmann looked to have won it for the Catalans with a goal against the run of play 14 minutes from time, only for substitute Villalibre to volley home in the 90th minute to send the game into the extra period.

Three minutes into the additional half hour Williams curled a stunning effort into the far corner from the edge of the box to win the match for Marcelino Garcia's side.

The victory brought a third Supercopa title for the Basque side and their first silverware since they claimed the same trophy in 2015 with a 5-1 aggregate win over Barca.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

UD Cornella 0 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona defeat Cornella in extra time, advance to Copa del Rey last 16

(After extra time)

Extra-time strikes from Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite allowed Barcelona to edge past stubborn third division neighbours Cornella 2-0 and reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

Barcelona missed two penalties in normal time, with midfielder Miralem Pjanic being thwarted late in the first half by Cornella keeper Ramon Juan before Dembele hit straight at the feet of the 21-year-old in the 80th minute from yet another spot kick.

Dembele made amends with a vicious long-range strike in the second minute of extra-time which Ramon Juan got a hand to but was powerless to prevent it rocketing into the net.

Danish forward Braithwaite, who had missed a clear chance to win the game late in normal time, then sealed a nervy Barca victory moments after Cornella's Albert Estelles had been sent off.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Elche 0 - 2 Barcelona : De Jong goal, assist earns Barcelona important win at Elche

Barcelona secured an important 2-0 win at Elche to keep pace at the top of La Liga.

Frenkie de Jong and Riqui Puig scored at the end of each half to secure the points for Ronald Koeman's side .

Barca were without captain Lionel Messi who was serving the second of a two-game ban for his red card in last weekend's Supercopa final.

Barca were dominant from the first whistle but Ronald Araujo and Antoine Griezmann missed close range headers early on.

However, De Jong opened the scoring just before half-time as he reacted quickest to score an easy tap-in.

The hosts came close to scoring an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half but Marc-Andre ter Stegen produced a great save from Emiliano Rigona.

Barca wrapped up the points in stoppage time when De Jong set up Puig to score a second.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Rayo Vallecano 1 - 2 Barcelona : Lionel Messi returns to lead Barcelona past Rayo Vallecano in Copa del Rey

Barcelona needed a second-half comeback to beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in the Copa del Rey round of 16 and advance to the quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Estadio de Vallecas.

Lionel Messi was back in the Barca XI after serving a two-match ban for a red card he received in their Spanish Supercoppa loss to Athletic Bilbao on Jan. 17.

Despite their talisman's return, Barcelona could not find a way through in an opening 45 minutes they dominated, twice hitting the post and forcing Rayo keeper Stole Dimitrievski into a good save from an Antoine Griezmann strike as the half wore on.

Rayo took a surprising lead shortly after the hour with a tap-in from Fran Garcia when Barca keeper Neto spilled a save right into his path in front of goal.

The lead was short-lived, though, as Barca drew level through Messi on a counter-attack when the Argentine was left with the easiest of back-post finishes thanks to a nice cross from Griezmann.

Soon after, Barcelona took the lead as Jordi Alba set up Frenkie de Jong for another close-range finish that put the visitors in position to see out the tie and book passage to the quarterfinals of Spain's annual cup competition.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Athletic Bilbao : Messi hits goal 650 as Barcelona get revenge on Athletic

Lionel Messi scored his 650th goal for Barcelona while Antoine Griezmann struck the winner in a 2-1 home success over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday, avenging a defeat by the Basque side in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Messi curled in a stunning free kick after 20 minutes for his milestone goal on the same day the club pledged to sue Spanish newspaper El Mundo for publishing the full details of the Argentine's contract.

Athletic, who had won their previous five matches in all competitions in a flying start under new coach Marcelino, failed to get going but levelled in the 49th thanks to an own goal.

Jordi Alba tried to prevent Athletic's Oscar de Marcos reaching a cross but instead prodded into the Barca net.

The hosts struggled to respond but finally restored their lead in the 74th when Griezmann, who had scored twice in the 3-2 Super Cup final defeat, arrived in the box to knock home a cross from defender Oscar Mingueza.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Granada 3 - 5 Barcelona : Barcelona overcome upset-minded Granada to reach Copa del Rey semis

(After Extra Time)

Barcelona needed a rousing comeback and extra time to beat Granada, 5-3, and advance to the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday.

Despite Barca dominating the opening half-hour, Granada scored totally against the run of play in the 33rd minute when a Samuel Umtiti giveaway in the Barca box led to a cross and easy tap-in finish for Newcastle loanee Kenedy.

The home side then doubled their advantage immediately after restart when veteran forward Roberto Soldado raced in behind the Barca defense and confidently beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Ronald Koeman threw on Sergino Dest, Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite in hopes of turning his side's fortunes around.

Antoine Griezmann helped pull a goal back two minutes from time when his lunging poke of a lobbed Messi pass hit the post and then goalkeeper Aaron Escandell before crossing the line.

Messi hit the post moments later but Barca found a dramatic equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time. Jordi Alba nodded home Griezmann's cushioned header of another inch-perfect cross from Messi.

The game then went into extra time where Barca struck first through Griezmann but Fede Vico answered back from the penalty spot three minutes later after Dest barged down Carlos Neva in the area.

But Barca finally took the lead for good in the 108th minute -- Frenkie de Jong sweeping home after Escandell parried a right-footed shot from Messi into his path -- and then put the finishing touches on a satisfying win two minutes from time when Alba wonderfully volleyed home from an angle.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Betis 2 - 3 Barcelona : Barcelona beat Real Betis with Messi, Trincao goals

Lionel Messi came off the bench to haul Barcelona back from a goal down against Real Betis to win 3-2 but it was winger Francisco Trincao who snatched victory by choosing the perfect moment to score his first goal for the club.

Barca coach Ronald Koeman took the surprising decision to leave Messi and the in-form Frenkie de Jong out of his starting lineup, perhaps with next week's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Sevilla in mind, and saw his side fall behind to a Borja Iglesias strike on the counterattack in the 38th minute.

Messi levelled for Barca in the 59th, less than two minutes after coming on, and then helped his side find a second goal by releasing Jordi Alba with a sumptuous pass which led to Betis defender Victor Ruiz sending the ball into his own net.

Ruiz made amends by powering in a header from a Nabil Fekir free kick in the 75th minute but Portuguese Trincao had the final say, smashing a shot from just inside the box in off the crossbar in the 87th to finally get off the mark for Barca in his 17th appearance in all competitions.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 2 - 0 Barcelona : Sevilla stun Barcelona in first leg of Copa del Rey semifinal

(1st Leg)

Sevilla defender Jules Kounde scored an extraordinary solo goal and Ivan Rakitic struck against his old side in a 2-0 win over Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

French centre back Kounde opened the scoring in the 25th minute, dribbling from his own area and playing a one-two with a teammate before bursting past four Barca players to confidently slot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

he Barca keeper made a superb save to prevent Sergio Escudero doubling Sevilla's lead at the end of the first half but Croatia midfielder Rakitic made sure of the victory with a thumping finish into the roof of the net in the 85th minute.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 1 Alavés : Lionel Messi, Francisco Trincao each score brace as Barcelona cruise past Alaves

Lionel Messi scored two scorching strikes as Barcelona hammered Alaves 5-1 on Saturday in La Liga to warm up for their upcoming Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain in style.

Portuguese forward Francisco Trincao put Barca in front after a cut-back from 18-year-old debutant midfielder Ilaix Moriba and Messi thought he had doubled the lead later on when knocking in on the rebound but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside against Antoine Griezmann.

Messi then took matters into his own hands from outside the area and thumped the ball off the far post with such venom that it landed just inside the opposite post.

Alaves' Luis Rioja pounced on a mistake by Ilaix to reduce the deficit in the second half but Barca came roaring back with a second strike from Trincao, another long-range missile from Messi and then a fifth goal crafted by Messi and Griezmann and finished off by left back Junior Firpo.

A seventh consecutive league win took Barca up to second in the standings on 46 points, eight behind leaders Atletico Madrid who beat Granada 2-1 earlier on Saturday and have a game in hand.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 4 Paris Saint-Germain : Mbappe hits hat trick as PSG pummel Barcelona in Champions League last 16

(1st Leg)

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning hat trick as his side overcame the absence of Neymar to thrash Barcelona 4-1 away in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday to move within full view of the quarterfinals.

Lionel Messi had blasted Barca ahead with a penalty in the first half but Mbappe pulled the French champions level with a classy piece of control and finishing to complete a flowing team move also involving Marco Verratti and Layvin Kurzawa.

Mbappe, who had not scored in the Champions League knockouts for two years before Tuesday, smashed PSG into the lead in the 65th minute while Moise Kean took advantage of some woeful Barca marking to head in a third goal for the visitors in the 70th.

The insatiable Mbappe looked hungry for more though and after being denied his third goal by Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, he completed his treble in the 85th minute by curling the ball past the German into the top corner.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 1 Cádiz : Barcelona's title hopes falter after late penalty earns Cadiz draw

Barcelona's La Liga title hopes faltered after they slipped to a 1-1 draw against Cadiz at Camp Nou on Sunday.

A late Alex Fernandez penalty cancelled out Lionel Messi's first-half opener from the spot.

Ronald Koeman's side now find themselves eight points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid who lost on Saturday.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Elche : Lionel Messi scores twice as Barcelona beat Elche, move to third in La Liga

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona overcame an uninspiring first half to beat Elche 3-0 at home in La Liga on Wednesday and keep leaders Atletico Madrid in their sights.

The Catalans created little in one of their worst first-half displays at the Camp Nou this season but found a breakthrough early in the second when Martin Braithwaite released Messi with a classy backheel and the Argentine did the rest.

Barca, who failed to hold onto a narrow lead in Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Cadiz, got an all-important second goal in the 69th when Frenkie de Jong received the ball after some clever play from 18-year-old Pedri.

The Dutchman burst through the middle of the pitch and laid the ball off for Messi to dribble into the net for an 18th league goal of the season, extending his lead at the top of the scoring charts.

Left back Jordi Alba struck the third goal from another Braithwaite assist to round off a victory which took Barca back above Sevilla and into third in the standings on 50 points, five behind Atletico but having played a game more.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Sevilla 0 - 2 Barcelona : Messi stars as Barcelona go second in La Liga with Sevilla win

Barcelona avenged their first leg Copa del Rey defeat to Sevilla earlier in the month with a 2-0 win on Saturday in La Liga.

The two sides will meet again on Wednesday for the Cup's second leg -- with Barcelona losing 2-0 on aggregate -- but the points were all the Catalan's side on Saturday thanks to goals from Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi.

The win puts Barcelona into second position but a win for Real Madrid on Monday would see them leapfrog Ronald Koeman's side.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Sevilla FC : Barcelona need dramatic late goal, extra time to reach Copa del Rey final

(After Extra Time, Barcelona wins 3-2 on agg)

Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey final, 3-2 on aggregate, after a dramatic 3-0 extra-time victory over Sevilla in the second leg of their semifinal on Wednesday.

Having lost the first leg at Sevilla, 2-0, Ronald Koeman's men knew they needed to score two goals without reply to force extra time at the Camp Nou, and instead did one better to win the tie on goals from Ousmane Dembele, Gerard Pique and Martin Braithwaite.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Osasuna 0 - 2 Barcelona : Barcelona move two points behind Atletico Madrid with win at Osasuna

Barcelona continued their rampant run of domestic form to beat Osasuna 2-0 away from home on Saturday and move to within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, with Lionel Messi setting up goals scored by Jordi Alba and teenager Ilaix Moriba.

Messi helped Barca take the lead on the half-hour mark when he carved open Osasuna's defence with a superb cross-field ball to Alba, who controlled before blasting into the roof of the net.

He then laid the ball off when 18-year-old midfielder Ilaix Moriba struck in the 83rd minute, producing a confident finish inside the post from outside the area to score his first goal for the club in only his third league appearance.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Paris Saint-Germain 1 - 1 Barcelona : PSG hold off Barcelona to reach Champions League quarterfinals

(2nd Leg, PSG wins 5-2 on aggregate)

Paris Saint-Germain survived an upset-minded Barcelona to reach the Champions League quarterfinals, 5-2 on aggregate, after a 1-1 draw in their second leg in Paris on Wednesday.

Barcelona, looking to repeat their famous remontada against PSG in March of 2017, dominated play in the first half but it was the hosts who struck first through Kylian Mbappe after he was awarded a penalty for going down under minimal contact near the half-hour mark. The France international then calmly converted from eight yards.

Lionel Messi struck back with a spectacular goal seven minutes later when he picked up a pass near midfield, took a couple touches and unleashed a thunderous strike past a helpless Keylor Navas from 30 yards out.

Barcelona continued to give PSG fits in the second half, attacking in waves and constantly pulling defenders out of position. But they could not find the touches needed to convert their many chances into goals and suffered their first round-of-16 exit since the 2006-07 campaign.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 1 Huesca : Lionel Messi and Barcelona beat Huesca to cut into Atleti's La Liga lead

Barcelona moved back to within four points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid in a record-setting night for Lionel Messi as his team beat Huesca at the Camp Nou on Monday.

Messi was part of Ronald Koeman's starting XI, putting him level on career appearances in all competitions for the club with Barcelona legend Xavi at 767, and he also notched his 20th La Liga goal in his 13th straight season to become the first player in Europe's top five leagues to accomplish the feat.

It didn't take long for Messi to mark the occasion with a goal, the Argentine working some of his patented magic in the 13th minute when he cut onto his left foot and curled a stellar shot into the upper left corner to give Barca the lead.

Antoine Griezmann doubled Barca's lead before 10 minutes before half-time with a near copycat goal of Messi's, picking up the ball from 30 yards out, cutting to his left and firing a shot into the same top corner as his teammate.

Rafa Mir cut Barca's advantage in half just before the break with an unstoppable strike from the penalty spot after Marc-Andre ter Stegen was whistled for a harsh foul in the area.

Messi popped back up early in the second half to help restore Barca's two-goal lead with a pinpoint cross into the box that Oscar Mingueza headed past Huesca's Alvaro Fernandez to make it 3-1.

Huesca tried in vain to find a way back into the game, but Barca held firm in defence to see out the match and pick up a crucial three points in their quest for a La Liga title that seemed unlikely earlier in the campaign.

And Messi added further gloss to the scoreline just before full-time with another stellar strike from distance that beat an outstretched Fernandez for his 21st in La Liga this season.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Sociedad 1 - 6 Barcelona : USMNT's Dest scores twice as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad; Messi breaks Xavi mark

Sergino Dest and Lionel Messi each scored twice while Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele also netted goals as Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 6-1 in La Liga action on Sunday.

Sociedad's Ander Barrenetxea hit arguably the best goal of the game to give his side a rare moment of joy.

The win keeps Barca in the chase for the league title with 62 points, four points behind Atletico Madrid and two ahead of Real Madrid. The game also marked Messi's 768th appearance for the Catalan squad, breaking Xavi's all-time mark.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Valladolid : Dembele strikes late as Barcelona cut Atletico's La Liga lead to one point

Ousmane Dembele scored late to hand Barcelona all three points against Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou on Monday to cut Atletico Madrid's La Liga lead to one.

Barca were given the upper hand for the last 10 minutes of the match when Vallodild's Oscar Plano was sent off with a straight red following his foul from behind on Dembele.

With time running out, Dembele pounced on a loose ball at the far post and hit a low volley past Plano to move his side up to 65 points from 29 games, one behind Atleti with nine games left to play in the season.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Real Madrid 2 - 1 Barcelona : Real Madrid beat Barcelona to take La Liga lead over Atletico

Real Madrid beat rivals Barcelona 2-1 at home in an entertaining, rain-soaked Clasico on Saturday to go top of La Liga.

Karim Benzema put the champions in charge at a soggy Alfredo Di Stefano stadium with a delightful backheel in the 14th minute while a deflected Toni Kroos free kick doubled their lead in the 28th.

Barca hit back on the hour mark through Oscar Mingueza and the defender almost found the equaliser later on, while the Catalans had a huge penalty appeal waved away when Martin Braithwaite fell following a challenge by Ferland Mendy.

The hosts survived the nail-biting finish to complete a sensational week after beating Liverpool 3-1 in a Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Athletic Bilbao 0 - 4 Barcelona : Messi scores twice as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao to win Copa del Rey

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday to win the trophy for a record-extending 31st time with all the goals coming in the last half an hour.

Antoine Griezmann put a dominant Barca side ahead on the hour when he turned in a cross from Frenkie de Jong, who doubled the Catalans' lead three minutes later.

Messi suffered some rough tackles from Athletic but got his revenge with a spectacular goal in the 68th, tearing his way through the defence down the right wing and combining with De Jong before dancing around another defender to slot home.

Barca's captain struck again four minutes later in his 10th Copa final when he met a low cross from Jordi Alba and fired the ball into the bottom corner, his shot proving too powerful for Athletic keeper Unai Simon.

Griezmann thought he had grabbed Barca's fifth goal in added time but his effort was ruled offside after a VAR review.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 5 - 2 Getafe : Barcelona's Messi scores brace in win over Getafe

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona crushed Getafe 5-2 on Thursday to stay in the hunt for the La Liga title.

Messi gave Barca an early lead with the help of a pin-point pass from Sergio Busquets but Getafe pulled level with an own goal by Clement Lenglet.

The visitors then conceded a calamitous own goal when Sofian Chakla's backpass deceived keeper David Soria and trickled over the line.

Messi extended Barca's lead before half-time to move on to 25 La Liga goals this season but the Catalans slowed down in the second half and Turkey forward Enes Unal made for an interesting finish by converting a penalty in the 69th minute following a VAR review for a foul by Ronald Araujo.

The Uruguayan defender made amends by heading in Messi's corner in the 87th minute to extend Barca's lead and Antoine Griezmann slammed in a penalty in added time after being handed the ball by Messi.

The win took Barca back up to third place on 68 points, five behind leaders Atletico Madrid but with a game in hand.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Villarreal 1 - 2 Barcelona : Griezmann double hands Barcelona comeback win

Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to beat Villarreal 2-1 in their La Liga clash at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday.

Barca were behind after 26 minutes after they committed too many men forward and were caught out when Pau Torres' superb pass was latched onto by Samuel Chukwueze. The Nigeria international rounded goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen before finishing off from a tight angle.

Unai Emery's side were ahead for just two minutes as Griezmann found the back of the net after being picked out by Oscar Mingueza.

The ex-Atletico forward got his second to complete the turnaround on 35 minutes as he latched on to an awful backpass by on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender Juan Foyth and hit a first-time effort past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.

Villarreal's task was made much harder on 65 minutes as Manu Trigueros was red carded for an over-the-ball foul on Lionel Messi.

Despite being down to 10 men, Villarreal continued to press but Barca hung on till the end.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 2 Granada : Barcelona miss chance to top La Liga with loss

Granada handed Barcelona a shocking defeat at the Camp Nou on Thursday night, stopping the La Liga holders from returning to the top of the table for the first time since last June.

Lionel Messi fired Barca in front midway through the first half, beating Granada keeper Aaron Escandell at his far post after Antoine Griezmann played the Argentine in on goal with a clever turn and pass.

Granada drew level against the run of play shortly after the hour mark when Darwin Machís pounced on a deflected through ball and smashed a shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

In the aftermath of the goal, Barca boss Ronald Koeman was shown a straight red card for something he said to the officials and was forced to leave the dugout for the remainder of the match.

Jorge Molina headed the visitors into a shock lead as full-time approached, redirecting a cross from Luis Suarez past Ter Stegen to leave Barcelona to chase an equaliser for the last 10 minutes of the match.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Valencia 2 - 3 Barcelona : Lionel Messi brace gives Barcelona big comeback win

Barcelona rode a trio of second-half goals to a 3-2 win over Valencia in La Liga on Sunday night to keep title hopes alive for Ronald Koeman's team.

A 50th minute strike from Valencia's Gabriel looked to have Barca on the ropes as they tried to keep pace with leaders Atletico Madrid, but a brace from Lionel Messi either side of an Antoine Griezmann goal earned Barca all three points.

Carlos Soler scored a brilliant goal for Valencia from outside the area as full-time approached, but Barcelona were able to see out the victory.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Atletico Madrid : Barcelona, Atletico Madrid draw in La Liga title showdown

Atletico Madrid survived the challenge of Barcelona as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou in a crucial match in the race for the La Liga title.

Diego Simeone will be frustrated that his team walked away with just a point as they dominated for large swathes of the game.

They had some of the best chances of the first half with Luis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco coming close but neither side could find the net.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Levante 3 - 3 Barcelona : Barcelona's La Liga hopes suffer blow with draw

Barcelona twice threw away the lead to draw 3-3 at Levante on Tuesday in a potentially fatal blow to their chances of winning the La Liga title.

The draw took Barca into second place in the standings on 76 points, one behind leaders Atletico Madrid and one ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who both have a game in hand.

Lionel Messi put a dominant Barca in front after 26 minutes and then played a part in Pedri tapping in their second goal in the 34th after a sweeping team move.

Levante got a foothold in the game with a header from Gonzalo Melero in the 57th and talismanic forward Jose Luis Morales equalised three minutes later.

Ousmane Dembele restored Barca's lead in the 64th and looked to have sent Ronald Koeman's side provisionally top of the standings but Levante came back at them and equalised again when striker Sergio Leon netted at the near post in the 83rd.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 1 - 2 Celta Vigo : Barcelona's La Liga hopes end in shock defeat

Barcelona's hopes of winning La Liga ended as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against Celta Vigo on Sunday.

That result, coupled with Real Madrid's 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid's 2-1 win over Osasuna, means Barca fall seven points off top with a game to play.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring on 28 minutes with a well-placed header from Sergio Busquets' pinpoint pass. That strike means Messi has scored more than 30 league goals in a season for the ninth time in his career.

But Celta were level 10 minutes later through Santi Mina, who scored from the visitors' first effort on goal.

Barca were reduced to 10 men late on when Clement Lenglet received a second yellow card but the real drama was still to come as Mina scored in the 89th minute to secure an unlikely victory for Celta.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Eibar 0 - 1 Barcelona : Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann nets stunner in win over Eibar

Barcelona finished the season with a 1-0 win over already relegated Eibar as Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal of the game at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

La Liga's top scorer Lionel Messi had been allowed to miss the match in order to rest ahead of the Copa America with the shock home defeat to Celta Vigo the previous weekend ending Barca's title hopes.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 0 Gimnastic de Tarragona : Barcelona beat Gimnastic de Tarragona on Rey Manaj hat trick

Rey Manaj starred with a hat trick as Barcelona kicked off preseason with a 4-0 win against 10-man Gimnastic de Tarragona on Wednesday.

"B team" striker Manaj, an Albania international, fired home the opener on the hour mark after Alex Quintanilla had been shown a red card for a late challenge on Riqui Puig before the break.

Alex Collado added Barca's second with five minutes to go, with Manaj then scoring his second with his chest from close range before completing his treble from the penalty spot.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 1 Girona : Memphis Depay debuts, scores in Barcelona's warm-up win over Girona

Barcelona won their second preseason match as summer signing Memphis Depay scored on his debut in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Girona at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Three of the four goals came from penalties, with Gerard Pique opening the scoring from the spot in the 21st minute.

Rey Manaj made it 2-0 three minutes later, following up his midweek hat-trick against Gimnastic de Tarragona with a finish from close range.

Girona pulled one back just before halftime when Samu Saiz scored a penalty before Memphis added Barca's third, also from the spot, late on.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

VfB Stuttgart 0 - 3 Barcelona : Barcelona's Memphis Depay scores again in Barcelona win over Stuttgart

Memphis Depay made it two goals in two games for Barcelona as the La Liga side beat VfB Stuttgart 3-0 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Saturday.

Barca blew their German opposition away with a blistering first-half display, with Memphis opening the scoring before Yusuf Demir added the second.

Substitute Riqui Puig netted the third after the break as Ronald Koeman's side made it three wins from three preseason friendlies.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

FC Salzburg 2 - 1 Barcelona : U.S. international Aaronson nets late winner for Salzburg

United States international Brenden Aaronson struck a late winner as FC Salzburg beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena in an entertaining preseason friendly on Wednesday.

Aaronson, who joined Salzburg from the Philadelphia Union in January, turned home from close range in the last minute after Chukwubuike Adamu had hit the post.

Martin Braithwaite's fortunate goal five minutes earlier looked to have rescued a draw for Barca following Luka Sucic's deflected opener just before the break.

Salzburg's winning margin might have been greater if not for a string of glaring misses from Switzerland forward Noah Okafor in the first half.

This was Barca's fourth game of preseason and the first they have failed to win. They're still without Lionel Messi, who's not yet signed his new deal with the Catalan club and remains a free agent.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[escobar43535]

So do you guys really think Messi is leaving Barca or is this Barca's ploy to force La Liga's hand?

The way i see it, no doubt Barca still need Messi but I think La Liga also need Messi as well.

[lacoruna69]

Tearful Lionel Messi bids goodbye to Barcelona, sources say PSG deal agreed

https://a2.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0808%2Fr893108_1296x729_16 %2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg

A tearful Lionel Messi has said his next move is not confirmed at an emotional farewell news conference on Sunday, but ESPN sources say a deal with Paris Saint-Germain has already been agreed.

Messi, who has been a free agent since his contract expired at Camp Nou on June 30, had maintained his silence since Barca announced on Thursday that he will not sign new terms because of financial problems.

Sources added that Messi is expected to travel to Paris on Sunday before completing a medical in the coming days and signing a two-year deal with the option for a third season. He could be presented at an event at the Eiffel Tower in the coming days.

Asked about the prospect of joining a rival, he added: "There is no doubt that I will go to a team that will compete with Barca. I didn't want to leave, but I have to. And I want to keep winning. That's my mentality. I want to win."

https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0808%2Fr893107_1296x729_16 %2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg
Lionel Messi's trophy haul won during his time as a Barcelona player are displayed during a news conference at the Camp Nou.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

So do you guys really think Messi is leaving Barca or is this Barca's ploy to force La Liga's hand?

The way i see it, no doubt Barca still need Messi but I think La Liga also need Messi as well.

To be frank, doesn't matter whether he stay or leave. Life goes on.

If the salary offered is not up to his expectation, he has every right to join another club.

[escobar43535]

Agree no one is bigger than the club.

But Messi is a very special player, a once in a generation player, who is very important both on and off the field.

Like I said above, it is not only Barca's loss but La Liga's loss as well. That is how big and special a player Messi is notwithstanding he is entering the twilight of his career. Kind of like football's equivalent to Michael Jordan and the NBA.

Also I don't think Messi wanted to go, neither did he ever dream that one day he would be playing in the same team as Ramos(ditto for Sergio:D). Barca's unfortunate dire financial predicament has made it inevitable though.

Anyway what is done is done and it really looks like Barca is in deep financial problems. From what I have read Barca has yet to even register Aguero and Depay. Their huge wage bill for the likes of say Griezmann, Dembele and Countinho is killing them. Got to get these guys off the books quickly but it is going to be very difficult and made more completed by Covid.

Going to be very interesting to see how Barca sought out this financial mess and go through the coming new season.


To be frank, doesn't matter whether he stay or leave. Life goes on.

If the salary offered is not up to his expectation, he has every right to join another club.

[lacoruna69]

Lionel Messi signs with PSG, to wear No. 30 after Barcelona exit

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain's contract at Barcelona expired earlier this summer.

Messi has signed a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 side, with the option of extending for a further year. Sources told ESPN that Messi is expected to earn between €30-35 million ($35-41 million) net a year.

Messi will wear No. 30 with PSG, which was his first number at Barcelona. Neymar, now reunited with his ex-Barca teammate, had offered the No. 10 but Messi refused.

Lionel Messi spoke at his first news conference as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Wednesday and said after a "very tough" end to his Barcelona career, his target is to win the Champions League again.

https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0811%2Fr894340_1296x518_5% 2D2.jpg&w=660&h=264&scale=crop&cquality=80&location=center&format=jpg

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 3 - 0 Juventus : Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite earn Messi-less Barcelona Gamper Trophy win

Barcelona began life without Lionel Messi on Sunday night by winning 3-0 over Juventus in the Joan Gamper trophy. Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite and Riqui Puig scored the goals.

This edition of the Gamper, a traditional festive occasion when Barca presents the squad for the upcoming season, proved a nostalgic affair. Just hours before the encounter, a tearful Messi bade farewell at a news conference after 21 years with the club, after Barca were unable to sign the player to a new contract.

Fans had hoped for a showdown between the Argentinian forward and Juve's Cristiano Ronaldo, with the two having won 11 Ballon d'Or trophies between them, but Messi's departure prevented that from happening.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 4 - 2 Real Sociedad : Barcelona's post-Lionel Messi era begins with LaLiga win over Real Sociedad

Barcelona won their first LaLiga match of the post-Lionel Messi era with a 4-2 victory that saw Real Sociedad mount a late rally.

Their season-opening match at Camp Nou came after a drama-filled week that saw club legend Messi, who had been with Barca for 21 years, join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

Gerard Pique scored Barca's first goal on the night with a close-range header from Memphis Depay's free kick delivery in the 19th minute.

Martin Braithwaite doubled Barca's lead just seconds before half-time with a back-post header off a delivery from Frenkie de Jong.

Braithwaite made it two on the night for him when he scored in the 59th minute after goalkeeper Alex Remiro palmed the ball into the path of the Danish striker.

La Real pulled one back in the 82nd minute when Julen Lobete scored, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring three minutes later on a stunning free-kick to cut Barca's lead to one. However, Sergio Roberto scored in the waning moments to secure the three points.

The match the return of fans to Camp Nou in 17 months, with 20,000 supporters in attendance.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Athletic Bilbao 1 - 1 Barcelona : Memphis Depay strikes as Barcelona rally for draw

Memphis Depay scored his first goal as a Barcelona player as the team came from behind to draw with Athletic Bilbao in their second match of the new LaLiga campaign on Saturday night.

Ronald Koeman's side were under pressure from the start and watched as Athletic's Inaki Williams tormented their backline even before veteran defender Gerard Pique was forced off with an apparent injury in the 31st minute.

Williams fired a sweetly-hit volley from distance shortly before half-time, but the shot went right at Barca keeper Neto and the teams went into the break with the game still goalless.

Eric Garcia, who was ultimately sent off for a clear path foul late in the game, continued to struggle against Williams and the hosts went deservedly ahead soon after the restart from a corner when Inigo Martinez rose up and headed past Neto to make it 1-0.

However, Barca drew level as the half wore on when substitute Sergi Roberto set up Memphis and the Netherlands international smashed a rising volley into the back of the net to set up a tense closing quarter of an hour.

Despite the better second half from Barca, the teams were forced to settle for a point as Koeman's team continued to adjust to life without their former talisman Lionel Messi after he left for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent this summer.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 2 - 1 Getafe : Memphis Barcelona's hero again in win over Getafe

Memphis Depay struck the winning goal as Barcelona maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 win against Getafe at Camp Nou in LaLiga on Sunday.

Memphis' second goal in three games since joining from Lyon was enough to seal the points for Barca after Sandro Ramirez had cancelled out Sergi Roberto's earlier opener.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)

[lacoruna69]

Barcelona 0 - 3 Bayern Munich : Bayern cruise past Barcelona 3-0 on Lewandowski brace, Muller strike

Two goals from Robert Lewandowski and one from Thomas Muller propelled Bayern Munich to a 3-0 win at Barcelona in their opening Champions League game on Tuesday in another brutal demonstration of the gulf in class between the two sides.

Muller gave Bayern the lead in the 34th minute with a strike from outside the area which deflected off Barca defender Eric Garcia to confound goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Lewandowski struck the German champions' second in the 54th, tapping into the net from close range on the rebound after Jamal Musiala had hit the post as Bayern made a rampant start following the interval, hemming their hosts into their own half.

The Polish striker twisted the knife further into Barcelona by scoring again in the 85th, collecting the ball in the area after another shot had come back off the post and tormenting the defence before calmly beating Ter Stegen in the Group E clash.

(excerpt from ESPN Soccernet)