Buenas! The realists and statisticians among you won't be surprised that Barcelona
defeated the very loveable Valencia 2-0 last night. But as it seems, Madrid are
frontrunners to win the La Liga, so el Blaugranas will be hoping to take home their 26th
Spanish Cup title title.
Cesc Fabregas and Xavi guide Barcelona to their 12th Copa Del Rey final. Leo Messi had a hand in
both goals. Gol TV's inimitable Ray Hudson, "Messi, like a gazelle through the
cheetahs" couldn't have said it better. They meet Athletic Bilbao in the final most likely on
25th May.
The inevitable African Cup of Nations championship matchup between the continent's two
powerhouses has made way for a title game involving an underdog side that is a win away from
capping off a Hollywood-worthy script.
Upstart Zambia shocked favored Ghana, 1-0, to advance to the tournament final and prevent the
Black Stars from seeking redemption for their loss in the 2010 final.
FC Barcelona booked their place in the Copa Del Rey final with a 2-0 victory against Valencia at
Camp Nou. Goals from Cesc Fabregas and Xavi gave Barca a bit of nervous victory. Now the final will
be against Atletic Bilbao, between the two most successful teams in the Copa Del Rey history.
SPANISH CUP ( Copa del Rey ) action tonight with the semi final 2º leg match. FC BARCELONA greeted
VALENCIA CF (without forward Soldado, a last moment discard) with a 1 -1 "advantage" from the 1º
leg, & ended up adding to it winning tonight 2 - 0 ( 3 - 1 agg ). Thus the victory puts Barça into
the Final of the Spanish Cup were they will meet Athletic Club Bilbao.
With Arsenal currently sitting 7th in the Premier League Table, it's now truly inevitable that
Robin van Persie will choose a new club come summertime, barring some miracle. Because it seems so
predestined, the notion doesn't trigger anxiety levels of Fabregas proportions in summers past,
where you just really didn't know what was going to happen.
Que dulce! Valencia kept to their promise to the fans last night and
held Barca to a 1-1 draw with a 27th minute screamer from Jonas. Part of the promise was to play
their best and not lose in front of the home fans, so this result is significantly better than a
loss.
Si no pudiste ver el partido de hoy el clásico español, el que paraliza al mundo futbolistico,
te cuento lo siguiente,fue en resumen muy similar al partido anterior, error del portero al inicio
del juego Real Madrid se adelanta, echa el camion atras y Barcelona en el segundo tiempo remonta y
le pone un baile a los merengues en su propia casa.
Here is some rather amusing news that is funny just as much as it is shocking.
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciesh Szczesny has apologized to team mate Aaron Ramsey for some offensive
remarks he posted to his twitter account saying that Ramsey looked like a rapist.
Szczensy who was only joking when made the comments, has however apologized saying that he
crossed the line.
This photo of the Moc Moc trio is clearly missing
Puyol- except Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique are
making a different type of toast that doesn't involve their Mop Haired amic! They're both
celebrating their reunion and return from the Premier League to
Barcelona.
Like Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas before him it seems that Oriol Romeu is already flirting
with a return to his boyhood club. Despite only signing for Chelsea in the summer of 2011, just a
few months ago, his rise has been well noted. Last season he was in the Barcelona B side and this
year he is a first team starter for Andre Villas-Boas' Chelsea side.
WEEKEND WRAP : CHRISTMAS EDITION
Nothing warms our heart (and stockings) more than futbolitos who are
committed to charity work and give back to their communities! To be fair, every club in world
football makes an attempt do this but special mention must go out to Tottenham, whose efforts are
equally impressive (na na, don't be hatin' this
Christmas!
Yes indeed. That's Cesc Fabregas in his panties. And Victor Valdes on the toilet? Images via
totalbarca.
Even if you'd managed to remain unaware that Barcelona had flown to Japan to take part in the
FIFA World Club Championship, the news that David Villa broke his leg in the semi-final vs.
Santos - FC Barcelona0:4 (0:3)
FechaSede / EstadioHoraAsistencia
18 diciembre 2011 Yokohama / International Stadium Yokohama19:3068166Goles marcadosLionel
MESSI (BAR) 17', XAVI (BAR) 24', Cesc FABREGAS (BAR) 45', Lionel MESSI (BAR) 82'Santos
[1] RAFAEL CABRAL (GK) [2] EDU DRACENA (C) [3] LEO [4] DANILO (-31') [5] AROUCA [6] DURVAL [7]
HENRIQUE [9] BORGES (-79') [10] GANSO (-83') [11] NEYMAR [14] BRUNO RODRIGO En el banquillo [12]
ARANHA (GK) [23] VLADIMIR (GK) [8] ELANO (+31') [13] BRUNO AGUIAR [15] ANDERSON CARVALHO [16]
VINICIUS [17] FELIPE ANDERSON [18] IBSON (+83') [19] ALAN KARDEC (+79') [20] Wason RENTERIA [21]
PARA [22] DIOGO Entrenador Muricy RAMALHO (BRA)
FC Barcelona[1] Victor VALDES (GK) [2] DANI ALVES [3] Gerard PIQUE (-56') [4] Cesc FABREGAS
[5] Carles PUYOL (C) (-85') [6] XAVI [8] Andres INIESTA [10] Lionel MESSI [11] THIAGO (-79') [16]
Sergio BUSQUETS [22] Eric ABIDAL
En el banquillo [13] PINTO (GK) [25] Oier OLAZABAL (GK) [7] David VILLA [A] [9] Alexis SANCHEZ [14]
Javier MASCHERANO (+56') [15] Seydou KEITA [17] PEDRO (+79') [18] Jonathan DOS SANTOS [19] MAXWELL
[21] ADRIANO [24] Andreu FONTAS (+85') [27] Isaac CUENCA Entrenador Pep GUARDIOLA
(ESP)
Amonestaciones
Gerard PIQUE (BAR) 39'
, Javier MASCHERANO (BAR) 71'
, GANSO (SAN) 73'
, EDU DRACENA (SAN) 74'
Expulsiones
Cuerpo arbitral del partido
ÁrbitroRavshan IRMATOV (UZB) Assistant Referee 1Abdukhamidullo RASULOV (UZB) Cuarto ÁrbitroYuichi
NISHIMURA (JPN) Assistant Referee 2Bakhadyr KOCHKAROV (KGZ) Quinto ÁrbitroToru SAGARA (JPN)
Santos (BRA )EstadísticasFC Barcelona (ESP)8Disparos163Remates a puerta90Goles413Faltas
cometidas1311Faltas recibidas132Saques de esquina41Tiros libres ejecutados (al arco)10 /
0Lanzamientos penales (Goles/Remates)0 / 00Fueras de juego60Goles en propia meta02Tarjetas
amarillas20Segunda tarjeta amarilla y tarjeta roja00Tarjetas rojas018Tiempo real de
juego4529%Posesión del balón71% Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol
By Chris Wright
Key: actual size
You could've been forgiven for thinking that yesterday's Club World Cup final between Barcelona
and Santos was some kind of two-man earthworm-charming contest the way 'You Know Who A' and 'You
Know Who B' were mercilessly hyped before kick-off, but it proved that young Neymar spent a dismal
afternoon in Lionel Messi's shadow as Barca rolled over Brazil's finest in Yokohama.
Barcelona won the FIFA Club World Cup for the second time in three years on Sunday with a
commanding victory over Brazilian side Santos.Lionel Messi scored twice to cap a brilliant
performance and Cesc Fabregas and Xavi also got on the scoresheet in a one-sided contest in
Yokohama.
Barcelona, who were without striker David Villa after he broke the shinbone in his left leg in
their 4-0 semi-final victory over Al-Sadd.
It may not have been the most difficult challenge that FC Barcelona would have to face in their
quest to become FIFA Club World Cup winners. That, however, did not dampen the celebrations as the
Spanish and European champions strolled their way past a poor Santos FC team courtesy of a 4-0
victory.
Santos vs Barcelona 2011 Highlights 0-4 Video Goals Messi Xavi Fabregas Club World Cup Final is
a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Santos vs Barcelona 2011 Highlights 0-4 Video Goals Messi Xavi Fabregas Club World Cup Final is a
post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Santos vs Barcelona 2011 ( Santos Barca
Club World Cup final video below) Final score and result:- Santos vs Barcelona 0-4 ( Lionel
Messi*2, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas) Nissan Stadium, [.
Written By James Prentice
Follow Me|@MrPrent
Fan's of Arsenal and Chelsea will be hoping for a Michael Cainesque Italian Job if they
are to enter the heady heights of a Champions League quarter-final.
Arsenal, who topped their group, were drawn against 7-time European Champions AC Milan, in a
repeat fixture to that of the 2008 CL round of 16, where, after a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium
in the first leg, Arsenal travelled to the San Siro to silence the home crowd with a little help
from a 30-yard effort from Cesc Fabregas.
Keisuke Honda's agent has denied claims that Liverpool or Arsenal are pursuing the player.
CSKA Moscow's attacking midfielder was heavily linked with a move to England in the summer transfer
window, with both Kenny Dalglish and Arsene Wenger reported to be admirers of the 25-year-old.
However, agent Kees Ploegsma has moved quickly to deny the speculation, insisting there has been no
contact over a possible move away from Russia.
In an era of Galácticos, oil ball, and 300,000-a-week wages, it's easy to view football as a
revolution. When something is wrong, blow it up and start over. Avram Grant not working out? Try
Ancelotti. Ancelotti not the ticket? Go for AVB. If Ronaldo and Kaka aren't enough to be beat
Barcelona, maybe Ronaldo, Kaka and The Special One will be.
FC Barcelona won the match-up of the weekend, if not the season to date, with a thrilling 3-1
victory against arch-rival Real Madrid. Goals from Alexis Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas helped
the reigning champions erase Real Madrid's three-point hold on first place in La Liga (though Real
Madrid still has a game in hand).
By Chris Wright
The 'Anti-Gouge Mourinho 3000′ blew a fuse part-way through the second half
Barcelona made an inauspicious start to the first league 'El Clasico' match of the season,
conceding the fastest goal in the history of the fixture when Karim Benzema capitalised on Victor
Valdes' immense cock-up after just 23 seconds, but fought back to take the honours at the Bernabeu,
end Real Madrid's 15-match unbeaten streak and replace Los Blancos at the summit of La
Liga courtesy of goals from Alexis Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas his tenth goal in 11 starts for
Barca.
If ever you needed evidence of the newly improved team spirit at New Arsenal,
you just have to read some of the recent match reports.
Here on AA yesterday Harry's excellent dissection of the victory over Everton was comprehensive
and entertaining.
He plumped for Koscielny as Man of the Match, but clearly did not feel his performance was way
out ahead of the rest of the team (Kozzer was one of four players whom Harry gave an 8 out of
10.
If ever you needed evidence of the newly improved team spirit at New Arsenal,
you just have to read some of the recent match reports.
Here on AA yesterday Harry's excellent dissection of the victory over Everton was comprehensive
and entertaining.
He plumped for Koscielny as Man of the Match, but clearly did not feel his performance was way
out ahead of the rest of the team (Kozzer was one of four players whom Harry gave an 8 out of
10.
Best Football Boots of 2011 - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Holiday season is nearby and the season is getting more and more interesting as Real Madrid
finally have the upper hand on Barcelona heading into the El Clasico and in the English Premier
League, Manchester United is yet again leading the chasing pack but this time behind Manchester
City.
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is refusing to read too much into a 3-1 derby success over
arch-rivals Real Madrid, with the title still up for grabs.
The reigning Primera Liga champions returned to the top of the table on Saturday as they picked
up three priceless points at Santiago Bernabeu.
Write off Barcelona at your peril: The European champions show their worth at the Santiago
Bernabeu - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Saturday's El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid lived up to all expectations; there was
passion, spell-bounding skill and goals the only thing missing was the heavily anticipated Madrid
victory.
Kashiwa Reysol and Al Sadd have booked their semi-final places in the FIFA Club World Cup
following hard fought victories over Monterrey CF and Esperance Tunis respectively.
Kashiwa, representing the host nation Japan as the 2011 J-League champions, needed a penalty
shoot-out to get past North and Central American champions Monterrey after the two teams had played
out a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona came from 1-0 down to win 3-1 against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to
goals by Alexis Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas. Pep Guardiola's men suffered a massive shock early
on when they went a goal down after 22 seconds after Karim Benzema seized on Victor Valdes'
mistake. Still, the champions fought [.
Barcelona came from 1-0 down to win 3-1 against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to
goals by Alexis Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas. Pep Guardiola's men suffered a massive shock early
on when they went a goal down after 22 seconds after Karim Benzema seized on Victor Valdes'
mistake. Still, the champions fought [.
Mais um jogo amistoso, foi disputado no dia 02/09/2011, na cidade de St. Gallen-SUI, onde jogaram
as seleções da Espanha (2º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção do Chile (11º no ranking da
FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções jogaram:
Copa do Mundo2010Tshwane/Pretoria 25/06/2010 CHI1:2 (0:2)ESP First stage1950Rio De Janeiro 29/06/1950 ESP2:0
(2:0)CHI Group matches
Amistosos2008Villarreal 19/11/2008 ESP3:0 (1:0)CHI 1993Alicante 08/09/1993 ESP2:0 (0:0)CHI 1981Santiago De
Chile 05/07/1981 CHI1:1ESP 1960Santiago De Chile 17/07/1960 CHI1:4ESP 1960Santiago De Chile
14/07/1960 CHI0:4ESP 1953Santiago De Chile 12/07/1953 CHI1:2ESP
Mundial Sub-202005Doetinchem 14/06/2005 CHI0:7 (0:1)ESP Group matches1995Doha 19/04/1995 ESP6:3 (3:0)CHI First
stage
Jogos Olímpicos2000Melbourne 17/09/2000 ESP1:3 (0:2)CHI First stage
O árbitro desse jogo, foi:Jerome Laperriere-SUI
O primeiro gol do jogo, foi de Mauricio Isla, aos 10 minutos do primeiro tempo, sendo seu segundo
gol pela seleção chilena.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona 1-3 El Clasico Highlights 2011 December 10 Video Goals Fabregas Benzema
Sanchez is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Real Madrid vs Barcelona 1-3 El Clasico Highlights 2011 December 10 Video Goals Fabregas Benzema
Sanchez is a post from Soccer Blogger.
szólj hozzá: Arsenal Everton 1:0 HIGHLIGHTS
A ridiculously sublime finish by Robin Van Persie of a perfectly weighted ball by Alexander Song
and Arsenal get past Everton in the 70th minute. The nicest touch thereafter was provided by
Thierry Henry in the stands applauding that stunning goal.
By THOMAS FLOYD
Perhaps the fiercest rivalry the beautiful game has to offer will be renewed at the Bernabeu on
this weekend, and -- what's new? -- the stakes are high.
With Real Madrid three points clear of FC Barcelona with a game in hand, Saturday's Clasico (4
p.
Arsenal are set to mark their 125th anniversary by unveiling statues of club heroes Thierry
Henry, Tony Adams and Herbert Chapman today. The North London club have an amazing history that has
seen them relegated only once in their entire history. It isn't any wonder why then they are one of
the most supported clubs in the world.
DVD Now Available!
The Jay DeMerit Story is the true story of a young American's impossible journey. The film
documents Jay's journey from the bottom - to playing in the English Premier League - to starting
for the U.S.A. at the 2010 World Cup. Featuring World Cup footage and cameos from family, coaches,
and stars including Landon Donovan, Wayne Rooney, Cesc Fabregas and more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0bPoxFEPRU
Last season Barcelona virtually guaranteed winning La Liga by overcoming Real Madrid at home and
then securing a draw in Madrid. No doubt Barca was superior to Los Blancos last season but so far
the champions have been inconsistent while Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates have been on a
phenomenal run.
Over the past few years Arsenal have had some exceptional players. For all the bemoaning of the
lack of trophies, there has remained a bountiful supply of top talent strutting their stuff at the
Emirates Cesc Fabregas remains the best young midfielder in Europe, one we kept for seven years,
and we have more that could be labelled 'amongst the best in their position, or for their
age' the likes of Vermaelen, Van Persie and Wilshere can certainly be counted in those
categories, with others knocking on the door.
Gareth Bale was among several players to make a personal tribute to Gary Speed this weekend.
Image: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Europe.
There were substantial scorelines, touching tributes and what must have amounted to an entire
deck of cards across the European leagues this weekend.
Why waste time pontificating?
