Spain humiliate Croatia with thumping Nations League win

ELCHE - Spain showed their remarkable potential under new coach Luis Enrique by destroying World Cup runners-up Croatia 6-0 on Tuesday to hand the visitors their biggest ever defeat and take control of their Nations League group.

Midfielder Saul Niguez scored in his home city of Elche by heading home midway through the first half, giving Spain the lead against the run of play after Croatia had made a bright start and missed two good chances.

The hosts soon increased their lead with two thumping strikes from Marco Asensio, the second of which was given as an own goal to Croatia goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic as it bounced off him after crashing against the crossbar.

Rodrigo Moreno completed a fine team move after the interval before captain Sergio Ramos headed the fifth while a strike from Isco saw Spain become the first team to score six against Croatia as they charged top of League A, Group 4 on six points.

It was also the second time this year that Spain have scored six goals against World Cup runners-up, following their 6-1 win over 2014 finalists Argentina in March.

Spain were in a confident mood after winning their first game under Luis Enrique 2-1 away to England in their Nations League opener on Saturday and once they scored the floodgates opened and Croatia were left chasing shadows.

SPECTACULAR GAME

"We played a spectacular game and rounded off a brilliant week. We needed to recuperate the feelings we had before, we've played two great games," said goalscorer Asensio, who also provided three assists.

To reach the Nations League finals next June, Spain need just two points from their remaining two games, at home to England and away to Croatia.

"We've played two teams that went very far in the World Cup and these victories are very important to reach the final phase, which is a challenge we have set ourselves," added Asensio.

Spain made three changes to the team that won at Wembley, bringing in Valencia defender Jose Gaya and Real Madrid pair Dani Ceballos and Asensio.

Their inclusion made Luis Enrique the first Spain coach in 16 years to name six Real Madrid players in a starting lineup, making a mockery of fears in the Spanish media when he was appointed that he would discriminate against Real players over loyalty to his former club Barcelona.

Real defender Dani Carvajal made a decisive block early on to thwart Croatia forward Ivan Santini as Zlatko Dalic's side made a bright start and caused plenty of unease for Spain, who lost 2-1 when the teams last met at Euro 2016 in a group game.

Carvajal also provided the cross from which Saul headed the opener, giving Spain a huge injection of belief and rattling the visitors, who moments later conceded possession in midfield before Asensio smashed the loose ball home from long range.

Croatia, so impressive in keeping the ball at the World Cup, lost confidence as Spain dominated possession and picked their opponents off with ease, inflicting biggest defeat on the Croats after a 5-1 loss to England in a World Cup qualifier in 2009. 

(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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Messi leads Barca to third King's Cup win in a row

MADRID - Lionel Messi and Neymar showed their pedigree as Barcelona outclassed a determined Alaves side 3-1 on Saturday to win the King's Cup for a third successive year, allowing coach Luis Enrique to leave the club on a high.

Messi curled in the opener in the 30th minute from outside the area following clever link up play with Neymar after Alaves, who were playing in their first domestic final, had struck the inside of the post.

The Basque side drew level three minutes later when Theo Hernandez fizzed a spectacular free kick into the top corner although Neymar restored Barca's lead a minute before halftime, bundling in Andre Gomes's pass from close range after starting the move with a dazzling run down the left.

Paco Alcacer further stretched the Catalans' lead two minutes later killing off Alaves' hopes of a first trophy in their 96-year history and delivering Barca's 29th King's Cup, the ninth trophy of Luis Enrique's three-year tenure.

"Nine trophies in a club like Barca, who have had a glorious decade, means that the players have been at their very best and I was able to enjoy it. These trophies were down to the players and their ambition," Luis Enrique told reporters.

"It's great to finish the season with a trophy and not go home empty handed. We've won another trophy, but the team gave their best in every game.

"I feel satisfied about a job well done and I can't wait to rest, to be with my family and enjoy some well deserved holiday."

Luis Enrique said he had no plans for the immediate future and is expected to take a sabbatical year before plotting his next move.

Former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde is set to be named as his successor on Monday, according to reports in the Spanish media.

RAMPAGING RUN

Barca were searching for one piece of silverware to end a disappointing campaign after surrendering the Liga title to Real Madrid and exiting the Champions League in the quarter-finals to Juventus and were without prolific striker Luis Suarez and defender Sergi Roberto through suspension.

They suffered an early setback when Javier Mascherano was carried off on a stretcher following a head-on collision with Alaves midfielder Marcos Llorente, who had to sport a bandage on his head for the rest of the game.

Alaves brought an extra 2,000 fans to the Vicente Calderon than their illustrious opponents and were dreaming of a repeat of their shock league win at the Nou Camp earlier in the season, although this time Barca were fielding a far stronger starting line-up.

Alaves nearly took a surprise lead when Gerard Pique gave the ball away to Ibai Gomez, who fired under Jasper Cillessen and off the inside of the near post, watching the ball trickle just beyond the far post.

Messi's brilliant strike, his fifth goal in seven King's Cup finals, did not crush Alaves and they quickly drew level with the thunderbolt free kick from Theo, a loan signing from Atletico Madrid who is expected to join champions Real Madrid in the summer.

But Messi and Neymar had not finished yet. The Argentine fed substitute Gomes who teed up Nemyar and barely two minutes later Messi went on another rampaging run through the middle to play in Alcacer and ensure there was no way back for Alaves.

(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Rex Gowar and Pritha Sarkar)

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Barca hit PSG for six in historic late fightback

BARCELONA, Spain -- Sergi Roberto scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Barcelona capped a sensational Champions League fightback to thrash Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 and reach the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

"I threw myself at it with everything," Roberto told BeIN Sports Spain as his outstretched leg turned home Neymar's cross.

Despite Luis Suarez's early opener, a Layvin Kurzawa own goal and Lionel Messi's penalty, Barca, who lost the first leg 4-0, looked down and out when Edison Cavani volleyed home what seemed to be the vital away goal for PSG.

However, Neymar restored Barca's belief as he firstly fired home a sensational free-kick two minutes from time and then converted from the penalty spot.

And Roberto capped the biggest comeback in Champions League history when he stretched to turn home Neymar's dinked cross to the delight of a near 100,000 at a rocking Camp Nou, making the score 6-5 on aggregate.


"It is a difficult night to explain with words," said outgoing Barca boss Luis Enrique.

"It was a horror movie, not a drama, with a Camp Nou that I have seen very few times as a player or coach.

"What defines this victory is the faith that the players and fans had."

PSG coach Unai Emery accepted his side lost their composure in the closing stages as he suffered a 12th defeat in as many visits to the Camp Nou.

"The truth is we have let a huge opportunity get away and we are aware of that," said Emery.

"In the last two minutes we lost everything we had recovered in the second-half. Barcelona are capable of this in their stadium. In the last few minutes they played all or nothing and they have beaten us."

Barca also enter the record books by reaching the quarter-finals for a 10th straight season.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was blunt in his summary.

"It's a nightmare for everyone. Three goals in seven minutes is very difficult. Everybody is upset but now is not the time to talk about it."

Enrique warned the French champions on Tuesday that his side were capable of scoring six and they needed the full 95 minutes to pull of a miracle revival.

No side had ever come back from a 4-0 first leg deficit in the Champions League, but after much pre-match hype of a historic turnaround, Barca truly believed when Suarez opened the scoring after just three minutes.

The PSG defence was stationary as Marquinhos headed Rafinha's cross high into the air and Suarez nipped in ahead of the flapping goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to nod in despite Thomas Meunier's best efforts to clear off the line.

- Shambolic defending -

Barca's hopes were further raised five minutes before the break thanks to more shambolic PSG defending.

Andres Iniesta reached Suarez's hopeful through ball and his backheel provoked Kurzawa into shanking the ball into his own net on his weaker right foot.

The second period started just as the first ended as Barca edged closer to the history books when Neymar was clipped by the prone Meunier and, after consultation with one of his assistants, German referee Deniz Aytekin pointed to the spot.

Messi made no mistake with the penalty to rifle home his 11th Champions League goal of the season.

Only when 3-0 down did PSG begin to come out in search of the crucial away goal and were rewarded just after the hour mark when Kurzawa made amends for his earlier error by heading down a free-kick and Cavani connected sweetly on the volley to register his 38th and seemingly most important goal of the season.

PSG were then to rue to huge missed chances by Cavani and Angel di Maria to put the tie completely beyond Barca.

Just when Barca looked down and out Neymar restored hope when he curled home a sensational free-kick high into the top corner.

And as the match entered stoppage time, Barca were awarded a second controversial penalty when Suarez tumbled under a challenge form Marquinhos.

Neymar this time took responsibility to send Trapp the wrong way.

"This is the best game I have ever played. For what it meant, for what we experienced and because I am in great form," Neymar told BeIN Sports.

"I know that we have made history. A team like this can do anything."

And the Brazilian also showed a cool head amongst a mad final minute when he cut inside before chipping into the box for substitute Roberto to extend his right leg just enough to beat Trapp and leave PSG floored.

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Luis Enrique to leave Barcelona at end of season

BARCELONA - Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is leaving the Spanish La Liga champions at the end of the season when his contract expires after three trophy-laden seasons at the club.

Luis Enrique made the announcement at a news conference after Barca thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 at the Nou Camp on Wednesday to keep up their bid for a third league title under the management of their former midfielder.

"I would like to thank the club for the confidence they have shown in me, it's been three unforgettable years," said Luis Enrique, who has won two Liga titles, two King's Cups and the 2015 Champions League since succeeding Gerardo Martino in 2014.

Luis Enrique said he had met with Barca directors Albert Soler and Robert Fernandez before this season to discuss the possibility of not renewing his contract.

"They told me there was no hurry to make a decision, but now that moment has arrived," he added.

"This is a very difficult decision for me which I have thought about for a very long time but I think I have to be loyal and do what I think is right."

Barca top the standings on 57 points, one ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid who have played one game fewer.

Luis Enrique has also led his team to the King's Cup final but suffered heavy criticism after Barcelona were crushed 4-0 by Paris St Germain in their Champions League last 16 first-leg game two weeks ago.

Luis Enrique followed in the footsteps of former team mate Pep Guardiola in leading Barca to the treble in his first season in charge, although his reign has also witnessed turbulent moments.

The coach was reported to be on the brink of dismissal in January 2015 due to his rocky relationship with Lionel Messi after leaving the Argentine talisman out of the starting line-up.

SPECTACULAR FOOTBALL

While he has overseen spectacular football, fired by the prolific attacking partnership of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, Luis Enrique has been criticised for abandoning the team's style of play perfected by Guardiola which was geared around controlled possession in midfield.

He bore the brunt of criticism for the harrowing defeat by PSG which has left Barca on the brink of their earliest elimination from the Champions League in a decade.

Luis Enrique said he had become exhausted from the constant pressure that comes with the Barca job and needed time out to recover, echoing Guardiola's words when he stepped down in 2012.

"In my work I am constantly looking for solutions and that means I get no time to rest, I need to rest and that's my main motive for leaving," he said.

Guardiola paid tribute to his former team mate.

"With Luis Enrique's farewell, fans lose someone who was the perfect coach for Barcelona. The football in the last three years has been incredible," the Manchester City manager said on Twitter.

Midfielder Ivan Rakitic said he and the rest of the Barca squad were taken aback when Luis Enrique revealed the news to them in the dressing-room.

"We knew nothing about it," Rakitic told Croatian media. "First he told the team about his decision We were left stunned and at a loss for words. We want to end the season successfully and enjoy what is left."

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also praised the departing coach.

"We're very happy with the work he has done up to now and we have to accept his decision and support him. Luis Enrique will leave in the summer and we've had a super coach for the last three years," he said.

(Reporting by Richard Martin, Editing by Ed Osmond)

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LA LIGA: Barca fail to break Sociedad hoodoo, Atletico bounce back

MADRID, Spain -- Barcelona's winless streak at Real Sociedad stretched to eight games as the Spanish champions were outplayed in a 1-1 draw on Sunday that leaves them six points adrift of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

A sumptuous finish from Lionel Messi spared Barca's blushes after Willian Jose had headed Sociedad into a deserved lead just after half-time.

And Barca were fortunate to escape without a fifth consecutive league defeat in San Sebastian as Carlos Vela hit the woodwork twice and Juanmi's header was wrongly ruled out for offside.

"It is almost a miracle that we took a point," Barca boss Luis Enrique told BeIN Sports Spain.

"Real Sociedad were infinitely better than us with and without the ball. They won all the battles."

A point is enough to move Barca up to second, but they now desperately need to beat Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid got back to winning ways and moved back into the top four as goals from Diego Godin, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Carrasco ensured a comfortable 3-0 win at Osasuna.

Barcelona still haven't won in San Sebastian since 2007, but were grateful for the point as Sociedad failed to cash in on their superiority.

"Playing like this it will be very difficult to win the league," added Barca defender Gerard Pique.

Xabi Prieto headed a guilt-edged chance wide, whilst Vela also fired off target when well-placed inside the area before the break.

The visitors' first effort on target came on 50 minutes when Geronimo Rulli turned behind Neymar's free-kick.

However, Sociedad went in front three minutes later when Pique, who played on in the second-half with a severely strapped ankle, could only slash Jose's effort into his own net after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had blocked Vela's initial effort.

Neymar started up front for Barca despite suffering a minor car accident in his Ferrari on Sunday morning.

And the Brazilian finally kickstarted a lame Barca display six minutes later as he burst down the left and crossed for Messi to apply a characteristically clinical finish for his 19th goal in 16 games this season.

Sociedad were cruelly denied 14 minutes from time when a wonderful hit by Vela came back off the underside of the bar and substitute Juanmi's finish from the rebound was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Asier Illarramendi then cleared off the line from Denis Suarez at the other end before Vela struck the woodwork again with a low effort that clipped the post in a frantic finale.

- Atletico respond -

Atletico had suffered back-to-back La Liga defeats for the first time in four years at the hands of Sociedad and Real Madrid in recent weeks.

However, they never looked in danger after Jan Oblak had saved Roberto Torres's penalty with the scores still level at 0-0.

Godin nodded home Koke's corner nine minutes before half-time and almost straight from kick-off Angel Correa released Gameiro to double Atletico's lead.

Substitute Carrasco rounded off the scoring with his eighth goal of the season in stoppage time.

"It was a very important game for us for the way in which we ended up playing," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

Atletico leapfrog Villarreal, who earlier lost 2-0 at home to Alaves, into fourth and move back to within nine points of Real Madrid.

"Oblak was decisive with the penalty save and after Godin's goal we felt more comfortable," added Simeone.

"In the second half we were a lot more organised and had more of a collective effort which allowed us to kill off the game."

Granada remain winless and rooted to the bottom after a 3-1 defeat at Celta Vigo.

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LA LIGA: Messi scores on return, Atletico, Real stay on top

MADRID, Spain -- Lionel Messi took just three minutes to score on his return from injury as Barcelona thrashed Deportivo la Coruna 4-0 on Saturday, but Barca remain two points adrift of free-scoring Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Yannick Carrasco's hat-trick and Nicolas Gaitan's first two goals for Atletico inspired a storming fightback by Diego Simeone's men to flatten Granada 7-1 after falling behind early on.

Real kept pace with their city rivals with four first-half goals of their own in a 6-1 win at Real Betis to snap a streak of four straight draws.

Barca were already 3-0 up thanks to Luis Suarez and a double from Rafinha when Messi was introduced after nearly a month out with a groin problem and wasted no time in scoring his ninth goal of the season.

"It was a complete performance," said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

"We have Leo back and it took him no time to be back in top form."

Messi wasn't needed to be the match winner as Barca had the three points sewn up before the break.

Rafinha exchanged a one-two with Suarez before drilling a low shot that had too much power for German Lux and then bundled home a second 15 minutes later after Lux had saved Gerard Pique's initial effort.

Suarez moved level with Antoine Griezmann as La Liga's top scorer with six this season when he brilliantly turned away from the Deportivo defence when receiving Neymar's through ball before slotting home the third.

Messi was introduced from the bench just before the hour mark and took just three touches to find the net when he flicked another Neymar assist over the helpless Lux.

Deportivo's day was rounded off by a red card for Laure 25 minutes from time when for elbowing Neymar in the face.

- Real roll -

Real had dropped down to fourth due to results earlier in the day, but roared back to a share of the lead and put a poor run behind them with their best display of the season to blow Betis away.

Raphael Varane headed home Toni Kroos's free-kick before the German also teed up Karim Benzema to double the visitors' advantage.

Marcelo's mishit effort found the far corner for Real's third, but there was no such luck needed for a stunning fourth as Madrid marched from one end of the field to the other in seconds before Isco rounded off a stunning team move.

Betis improved at the start of the second period and got their reward through Alvaro Cejudo's consolation.

However, Madrid's quality shone through once more when Isco curled expertly into the top corner before Cristiano Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet 12 minutes from time.

Real still trail Atletico on goal difference as Los Rojiblancos went one better in smashing seven past Granada.

"The response from the team was tremendous," Atletico boss Simeone told BeIN Sports Spain.

The Vicente Calderon was briefly stunned by Isaac Cuenca's sensational volley from outside the area to open the scoring.

Carrasco turned the game around before half-time thanks in part to some poor goalkeeping from Guillermo Ochoa.

However, the Mexican was faultless as Carrasco completed his hat-trick with a thumping finish from Griezmann's fine cut-back on the hour mark.

"I'm very happy to score three goals, it is the first hat-trick of my career," added Carrasco.

"I already have many happy memories here at Atletico and hopefully I have many more to come."

Gaitan had only been on the pitch a minute before he added a fourth and then fired in his second nine minutes from time at Ochoa's near post.

And Carrasco teed up two more for Angel Correa and Tiago in the final five minutes as Atletico made light of a dependence on Griezmann for goals so far this season.

Sevilla are just a point behind in third after ending a 17-month wait for an away league win in a 3-2 triumph at Leganes.

Franco Vazquez and Samir Nasri put Jorge Sampaoli's men well on course to end that barren run before David Timor and Alexander Szymanowski brought Leganes level.

However, Pablo Sarabia proved the match winner off the bench when he curled a stunning winner into the top corner five minutes from time.

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Messi return 'great news' for Barca, says Luis Enrique

BARCELONA - Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi is fully recovered from injury and should make his comeback against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, coach Luis Enrique said.

The five-times world player of the year has resumed full training after sustaining a groin injury in the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid last month.

"Leo has been training with the team since Wednesday and at a high level. When you come back from injury you need minutes, in games and in training, and so I'll speak with him tomorrow to decide, but in theory he's available," Luis Enrique told a news conference on Friday.

France international defender Samuel Umtiti is also available after recovering from a knee ligament injury as Barca also prepare for a heavyweight Champions League clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City next Wednesday.

"The great news is that we have recuperated two injured players in Leo and Samuel," Luis Enrique told a news conference on Friday.

Barca won two of three games without all-time top scorer Messi, winning 5-0 at Sporting Gijon and labouring to a 2-1 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach, but they lost 4-3 at Celta Vigo before the international break.

"You notice it when any player is missing and when you are talking about the best player of all time then any team would be affected by that, but our challenge is to accept it, as we did last season," added Luis Enrique.

"We have been without Messi for many weeks unfortunately but that happens to every team over a season. To win a league title you have to make use of the entire squad and work out how to overcome those moments."

Barcelona are fourth in La Liga, two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, and have made their worst start to a campaign in 11 years, winning four of their first seven games.

Luis Enrique has failed to oversee a Barca victory over Deportivo at the Nou Camp, twice drawing 2-2 with the Galicians who are 13th in the table, and the coach admitted his side HAD to be careful to avoid another slip-up.

"They have had two weeks to prepare for the game, and we need to be aware against a Depor side who play good football, concede few goals and know how they want to play," Luis Enrique added. (Editing by Ed Osmond)

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LA LIGA: Suarez makes history as Barca, Real, Atletico win

BARCELONA - Luis Suarez became the first La Liga player to score four goals for the second game in a row as Barcelona, helped by three penalties in the second half, stayed top by hammering Sporting Gijon 6-0 on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Gareth Bale made up for the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring twice as Real Madrid came back from two goals down to win 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano while Atletico Madrid kept up their title hopes with a 1-0 home victory over Malaga.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone could be facing a three-game touchline ban after being sent off at halftime when a ball was thrown on to the pitch from the technical area.

Suarez moved ahead of Ronaldo as the league's top scorer on 34 goals after netting four times, twice with penalties, in the space of 25 second-half minutes.

Sporting had defender Ognjen Vranjes sent off in the 85th minute after picking up a second booking for fouling Neymar who scored the subsequent spot kick

The league leaders and Atletico have 82 points, with Barca top because of a superior head-to-head record. Real are third on 81 points with three games remaining.

Lionel Messi's stooping header put Barca ahead on 12 minutes but Gijon, who are third from bottom, missed two chances to equalise before halftime.

Suarez eased Barca nerves by tapping home Andres Iniesta's low cross in the 63rd minute before converting twice from the spot.

The prolific Uruguayan, who also scored four times and provided three assists in Wednesday's 8-0 thrashing of Deportivolass="highlight"> La Coruna, grabbed another goal in the 88th minute, drilling in a pass from Messi.

NEGATIVE RUN

Barca have now scored 14 goals in their last two league games after picking up just one point from their previous four matches.

"It was vital we won and doing it by scoring lots of goals helps lift our confidence," said coach Luis Enrique. "We have turned round a very negative run that nobody expected."

Ronaldo missed his first league game of the season due to a muscle strain and Real suffered another blow ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City in midweek when Karim Benzema was injured against Rayo.

Real were 2-0 down inside 14 minutes after Adrian Embarba scored from close range and Venezuelan striker Miku pounced on more poor defending from the visitors.

Bale started the revival, heading in a 35th-minute corner before Zinedine Zidane's side drew level six minutes after the break through substitute Lucas Vazquez.

Welshman Bale netted again nine minutes from time, collecting a misplaced pass from a Rayo defender before powering the ball past goalkeeper Juan Carlos.

"I'm very happy with him and he's very happy at being able to make the difference," Real coach Zidane told a news conference. "He's a spectacular footballer and he demonstrated that today."

Rayo took a surprise early lead when Embarba converted former Manchester United player Bebe's low cross from six metres, and a weak header from Raphael Varane allowed Miku to make it 2-0.

Bale's header lifted Real and they drew level through substitute Vazquez who had replaced Benzema.

The Wales forward had the final say, intercepting the ball and racing into the box down the left to strike the winner.

Substitute Angel Correa settled a difficult game for Atletico against Malaga soon after coming off the bench, as his shot from the edge of the area was deflected into the far corner in the 62nd minute.

Simeone said a ball boy lobbed the ball on to the pitch, leading to the coach being forced to watch the second half from the stands.

"It was the boy who was beside us but it doesn't change anything," said the coach. "It's clear the referee took the correct decision as stated by the rules."

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

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LA LIGA: Wasteful Barca held 2-2 at Villarreal, Real down Sevilla

BARCELONA - Barcelona squandered the chance to go 11 points clear in La Liga on Sunday after blowing a two-goal lead in the space of six minutes in a 2-2 draw at Villarreal that was overshadowed by a controversial penalty.

A 62nd minute own goal by Barcelona substitute Jeremy Mathieu, who turned a corner into his own net, ended Barca's hopes of a 13th successive La Liga win after Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu reduced the deficit.

Ivan Rakitic gave Barca the lead after 20 minutes from close range and Neymar made it 2-0 in the 41st with a chipped penalty as goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, who looked to have touched the ball before felling Neymar in the box, went the wrong way.

Barcelona are nine points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Sporting Gijon on Saturday. Third-placed Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-0 to stand 10 points off the pace and one behind their city rivals.

"It's a positive day for us as we're one point closer to our objective," Barca coach Luis Enrique told a news conference. "Every point we gain on our rivals is fantastic."

Fourth-placed Villarreal had coach Marcelino dismissed from the dugout just after Rakitic's goal when he protested at the referee's decision not to give a second yellow card to Barcelona defender Gerard Pique following a handball.

Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez's decision not to book Pique for the handball was controversial, as the defender would have been suspended for Barca's next league game against arch rivals Real Madrid had he been dismissed.

The official further enraged the home supporters before the break when he awarded the penalty when Asenjo appeared to reach the ball before sending Neymar over.

POTENT TRIDENT

Real Madrid's attacking trident of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo were all on target in a 4-0 win over Sevilla that took Zinedine Zidane's side within a point of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Bale converted from close range for the third and his 43rd league goal for Madrid, surpassing ex-Barca forward Gary Lineker to become the all-time top scoring British player in La Liga.

Welshman Bale, who also hit the woodwork against Sevilla and had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside in the first half, needed 75 games to eclipse former England striker Lineker, who hit 42 goals in 103 games for Barcelona from 1986 to 1989.

Benzema opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a brilliant half-volley while Keylor Navas preserved the lead by saving Kevin Gameiro's penalty before the break, the third spot kick the Real goalkeeper has stopped this season.

Ronaldo also missed a penalty -- for the third time this season -- in the second half before Gameiro had an effort harshly ruled out for offside.

Ronaldo pounced from close range after 64 minutes to wrap up the points and made a gesture of apology to the home fans, while Bale netted two minutes later and substitute Jese added a late fourth for a scoreline that somewhat flattered the home side.

Celta Vigo moved into the top six after beating Valencia 2-0 thanks to late goals from John Guidetti and Hugo Mallo.

The home fans turned their anger towards coach Gary Neville, chanting "Gary go now" after a third consecutive league defeat left the club 14th, six points above the relegation zone.

The Galicians capitalised on Athletic Bilbao's 2-1 defeat at Espanyol earlier on Sunday to move ahead of the Basques, who dropped to seventh.

Javier Eraso's first half goal put Ernesto Valverde's men in charge but quick strikes from Pape Diop and substitute Felipe Caicedo in the second half turned the game in Espanyol's favour.

They moved up to 12th, seven points above the drop zone.

(Reporting by Richard Martin, Editing by Alan Baldwin and Ken Ferris)

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LA LIGA: Messi masterclass hits Getafe for six

MADRID, Spain -- Lionel Messi scored, provided three assists and missed a penalty as Barcelona pressed home their advantage at the top of La Liga with a 6-0 thrashing of Getafe on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid stayed eight points adrift of Barca at the top with 3-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna thanks to goals from Saul Niguez, Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa.

Juan Rodriguez's own goal opened the scoring at the Camp Nou, before Messi saw his penalty saved by Vicente Guaita, teed up Munir El Haddadi and Neymar and smashed home his 36th goal of the season all before half-time.

Neymar and Arda Turan rounded off the scoring to seal Barca's 12th straight La Liga win after the break.

Real Madrid are now 15 points adrift of Barca in third ahead of their trip to Las Palmas on Sunday.

An eighth defeat in nine games leaves Getafe just a point above the relegation zone.

"This is a unique team, different to the rest and which does things that make it seem like there is nothing the opponent can do," said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

"It is a great pleasure to be in this position."

The European champions weren't even at full strength as Enrique left Luis Suarez on the bench ahead of Barca's return to Champions League action against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Yet, the hosts still only took seven minutes to break the deadlock as Jordi Alba's driven cross towards Messi was scooped into the far corner of his own net by Rodriguez.

Barca's one fallibility this season was exposed moments later when Neymar was chopped down by Emiliano Velazquez inside the area.

Messi took responsiblity, but for the ninth time in 20 spot-kicks Barca failed to convert, as Guaita dived to his left to turn the five-time World Player of the Year's effort to safety.

Guaita's intervention kept Getafe in the game for just a further nine minutes as Messi directed Andres Iniesta's through ball onto El Haddadi's head for the second.

Neymar's display had been under scrutiny after he took advantage of being suspended for last weekend's 4-0 win at Eibar to fly back to Brazil to celebrate his sister's birthday.

Yet, the break seemed to do the 24-year-old good as he raced onto a brilliant Messi pass to slot home his first goal in four games.

Messi then took out his frustration at not netting from the spot to rifle home the fourth from outside the box five minutes before half-time.

The pattern continued after the break with Messi in generous mood with another clinical through ball for Neymar to sweep home his 25th goal of the season.

And Turan added a sixth just before the hour mark with an acrobatic overhead kick which left Guaita flatfooted.

Atletico also warmed up for their crucial Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday with victory as they eased past an under-strength and out of form Deportivo.

Diego Simeone's men have now scored three times in three consecutive league games for the first time in well over a year.

"The important thing is the goals are coming from all over the pitch," said Simeone.

"That makes us more unpredictable because we can create chances from anywhere."

Niguez opened the scoring with a powerful header from Filipe Luis's cross after 18 minutes.

The hosts were completely dominant and should have doubled their lead before half-time as Yannick Carrasco fired straight at German Lux before Griezmann slotted wide a gilt-edged opportunity.

Carrasco crashed a shot off the post just after the break, but Griezmann did finally make the game safe when he slotted into the far corner for his 23rd goal of the season.

And substitute Correa rounded off the scoring after latching onto Gabi's ball over the top seven minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Celta Vigo bounced back from their 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid last weekend as Iago Aspas's early winner moved them up to fifth with a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Suarez, Neymar humiliate Real in 4-0 'Clasico' romp

MADRID - Barcelona dealt a stinging blow to Real Madrid's title hopes when Luis Suarez and Neymar continued their scintillating form to fire the champions to a stunning 4-0 victory in the La Liga 'Clasico' on Saturday.

Suarez struck twice either side of goals from Neymar and captain Andres Iniesta as Barca humiliated their arch rivals with an imperious performance at the Bernabeu.

They surged six points clear at the top with 30 from 12 matches and ratcheted up the pressure on under-fire Real coach Rafa Benitez who had the luxury of fielding the trio of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema but to little effect.

Barca's dominance in the 231st meeting between the two teams, which prompted the angry Real fans to roundly whistle their own players and chant for president Florentino Perez to step down, was all the more remarkable considering coach Luis Enrique had started with a fit-again Lionel Messi on the bench.


The Argentina captain, who has been out for nearly two months with a knee injury, came on for Ivan Rakitic just before the hour and promptly sent Suarez clear to score the European champions' fourth.

An utterly dominant Barca could easily have added to their tally in the closing stages and Real's humiliation was complete when substitute Isco was shown a straight red card for a wild lunge at Neymar six minutes from time.

"We played what was quite honestly a complete match in every sense," Iniesta, who was given an ovation by the home fans when he was substituted late on, told Spanish television.

"There is a long way to go, it's not decisive at all but we are going away very, very satisfied," added the Spain playmaker.

A giant French flag was unfurled in the stands and the Marseillaise played during a minute's silence before kickoff to honour the victims of the Paris attacks and security was tight for the clash in the Spanish capital.

In an ominous sign for the home side, Barca had the first clear chance of the game when Suarez laid the ball off to Neymar in the seventh minute but the Brazil forward fired wildly over.

Sergi Roberto burst through the middle and played Suarez in on the right of the penalty area to open the scoring in the 11th minute with a clinical finish.

James Rodriguez had Real's only dangerous shot of the first half in the 28th minute before Iniesta slipped a pass through for Neymar to make it 2-0 five minutes before the break.

Marcelo had to clear a Suarez effort off the line moments before halftime after brilliant work from Neymar and as the players trooped off, a cacophony of whistles rang out around the stadium mixed with chants for Perez to go.

FULL BLAST

Real came out fighting after the break and Marcelo and Rodriguez each went close before Neymar sent a backheel into Iniesta's path in the 53rd minute and he hammered the ball past Keylor Navas into the top corner.

Isco came on for Rodriguez shortly after and initially gave Real some much-needed zip in attack, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema largely anonymous.

Suarez's second effort in the 74th minute was the 20th he and Neymar have scored between them out of Barca's last 21 goals in La Liga.

After the whistle, thousands of Real fans waved anything white they could get their hands on in the traditional sign of discontent with the board of directors while the music came on full blast to drown out any more embarrassing chants.

Chasing a sixth La Liga title in eight years, Barca have 30 points, with Real, who lost 3-2 at Sevilla in their previous outing, on 24.

Atletico Madrid can climb back to within four points of Barca and leapfrog Real into second with a win at promoted Real Betis on Sunday.

Valencia missed a chance to move above Celta Vigo into fourth when they lost the lead in a 1-1 draw at home to Las Palmas as Celta lost 2-0 at Galician rivals Deportivo La Coruna. Valencia have 19 points while Celta remain on 21.

Goals from Imanol Agirretxe and Xabi Prieto gave Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan a winning start in a 2-0 success at home to stuttering Sevilla.

(Additional reporting by Jesus Aguado, editing by Clare Fallon, Ken Ferris and Ian Chadband)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Barca cap great season with fifth European Cup win

BERLIN - Barcelona were crowned kings of Europe for the fifth time after beating Juventus 3-1 in a pulsating Champions League final at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, capping their magnificent season with a title treble.

The Spaniards lived up to their tag as favourites and added the European Cup to their La Liga and King's Cup triumphs as coach Luis Enrique celebrated his first season in memorable fashion.

Goals from Croatian Ivan Rakitic in the fourth minute, Uruguayan Luis Suarez in the 68th and Brazilian Neymar with the last kick of the game sealed Barca's second treble, matching their 2009 feat.

"It's incredible, a dream, something unique," Suarez told reporters. "To win these competitions you have to suffer, if not it's not worth it, and today we had to suffer to win the match."

Barca's South American trio of Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi, known collectively as 'MSN', showed spectacular form all season and Saturday's goals took their tally to an amazing 122 in all competitions as the game proved the perfect antidote for the corruption scandal engulfing soccer's governing body FIFA.

Juve, however, became the first team in the history of the competition to get beaten in six finals and the Italian giants have now lost their last four.

"I would like to thank the team for the wonderful season they have had," said Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri who landed the domestic double in his first season in charge.

"We played a great game tonight...unfortunately when you play against great players you think you have things under control but then they get you."

SUBLIME GOAL

Barca shrugged off a nervous start by scoring a sublime fourth-minute goal.

All 10 outfield players touched the ball in a 16-pass move that ended when Neymar fed Andres Iniesta and he picked out Rakitic to slot the fourth fastest goal in a European Cup final.

Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who won the World Cup with Italy at the Olympic Stadium in 2006 but is still waiting to capture his first European Cup crown, denied Barca a second goal in the 13th minute with a superb one-handed save keeping out a Dani Alves shot.

Alvaro Morata twice went close for the Italians but Barca's pressure in the first half was relentless and Suarez twice almost netted.

The 37-year-old Buffon again came to the rescue three minutes after the restart and then Juve struck against the run of play with former Real Madrid striker Morata tapping the ball in after keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had saved from Carlos Tevez.

The Italians looked to be taking control of the game but their joy was short-lived. Argentine Messi took matters into his own hands, charging past three defenders and unleashing a low drive that Buffon could only parry to Suarez.

It was the most crucial goal of the 28-year-old Uruguayan's career and it came a year after he was branded a villain for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, who missed Saturday's final through injury, at the World Cup in Brazil.

Neymar had a goal disallowed after his header bounced off his own hand to deceive the diving Buffon, much to the forward's frustration.

Juve, who had an average age of 30 and were the second oldest team to play in a Champions League final, fought bravely but ran out of steam.

Neymar netted deep into stoppage time to provide a fitting farewell for midfielder Xavi who is leaving Barca after collecting 25 trophies in more than two decades with the club he joined at the age of 11.

Along with team mates Iniesta, Messi and Gerard Pique, Xavi also equalled former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf's record of four Champions League triumphs. (Editing by Tony Jimenez)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com