Mirandes, the giant killing third division Liga club bowed out beaten by Athletic Bilbao, 6-2, in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey (8-3 aggregate). Fernando Llorente showed why he's on the wishlist of some of the world's biggest clubs by scoring a brace. Athletic also got goals from Iker Muniain, Markel Susaeta and defender Jon Aurtenetxe.

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oscar de Marcos insists his side will show Mirandes total respect on Tuesday night as the two clubs clash in the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Athletic, whose record of 23 Copa titles is second only to Barcelona (25), are favourites heading into the semi-final second leg after earning a 2-1 lead from last week's first meeting at Mirandes' Anduva stadium.

NACIONAL B: ALMIRANTE BROWN 1 RIVER 1MARTIN PALERMO EN CARICATURASCOPA LIBERTADORES DE AMERICA 2012: PRIMERA FASE.BIELSA EN BILBAO (35): ATHLETIC 3 ESPANYOL 3.
caligula

04.02.2012 - El Athletic de Marcelo Bielsa y el Espanyol de Mauricio Pochettino dieron un desigual espectáculo en San Mamés, empatando en 3 un partido cambiante (box to box) y con todos los condimentos.
Bielsa "es mucho más que un entrenador... Me unen lazos emocionales muy fuertes.

El 23 de septiembre de 2006 el delantero uruguayo Darío Silva sufrió un grave accidente cuando conducía su camioneta en Montevideo. Salvó su vida de milagro y, aunque tuvieron que amputarle parte de su pierna derecha, mira al futuro con optimismo, ligado al deporte y soñando con una medalla olímpica.

Two goals from Fernando Llorente has given Athletic Bilbao a 2-1 first-leg advantage in their Copa del Rey semi-final against giant-killers Mirandes, and seriously dented the Cinderella dreams of the third division team.

Llorente scored twice in the first half to seemingly put Athletic firmly in control of this tie.

Well, I didn't see the match v Racing this past weekend, but from all accounts, it was yet another shit performance from both Unai Emery and his players. Emery tried to play some nice offensive football away in Santander, starting both Tino Costa and Éver Banega in midfield, and within 2 minutes VCF was down 1-0.

Barcelona might have won the latest el clasico, but it is Real Madrid who are threatening to run away with the La Liga title.

Real Madrid are now seven points clear at the top of the Liga after their 3-1 win over bottom side Real Zaragoza while Barcelona's poor away form continued as they were held to a scoreless draw at Villarreal.

Despite the nonsense about some other matchup in the Copa del Rey right now can't quite remember the names of those rather insignificant teams at the moment the real story is not east, not west, but down. Way down in the third division. Mirandes, a humble little club in the north of Spain, knocked off their third yes, third La Liga opponent to get to the Copa del Rey.

Granada have hired former Atletico Madrid coach Abel Resino to replace the sacked Fabriciano Gonzalez and try to save the La Liga strugglers from making an immediate return to the second division.

"Granada CF announces the hiring of Abel Resino as the red and whites' new coach until next June 30," the club said in a statement on their website.

The African Cup of Nations is underway, but does it feel like we are missing a few people? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The 2012 African Cup of Nations kicked off on Saturday, with co-hosts and debutants Equatorial Guinea getting a last-gasp, dramatic 1-0 win over Libya. The likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Demba Ba are chomping at the bit to showcase the quality of football in the African continent, but this year's edition has a number of recognisable absentees.

None of today's matches are necessarily must-see; but if you must watch some football, here's what we recommend:

Saturday, Jan 21

England, Norwich-Chelsea (7:30amET ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com): Norwich (and Swansea) have attracted attention as newly-promoted sides that have fought their way into the top half the table.

None of today's matches are necessarily must-see; but if you must watch some football, here's what we recommend:

Saturday, Jan 21

Chelsea's new Catalonian Makélelé?

England, Norwich-Chelsea (7:30amET ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com): Norwich (and Swansea) have attracted attention as newly-promoted sides that have fought their way into the top half the table.

Former Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura took part in a live stunt on Japanese TV show where he had to try to curl the ball into a moving bus... Nakamura, who is still playing at 34 for his first professional side Yokohama F. Marinos, launched this absolutely fantastic effort from an alleyway, where he needed mirrors [.

By Alan Duffy

Now playing in his homeland for Yokoham F Marinos, midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, formerly of Celtic and Espanyol, has been showing off his famed dead-ball expertise on Japanese telly, by directing a football through the window of a moving bus.

Why? I'm not exactly sure.

Wow what a comeback!! Espanyol scored three goals in four minutes to snatch a dramatic 3-2 comeback win at home to third-tier Mirandes in a King's Cup quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.

Mirandes have been the Cinderella team of this years tournament, having already knocked out La Liga sides Villarreal and Racing Santander in the early rounds.

Martes 17 de enero de 2012 3 Espanyol vs Mirandes 2Miércoles 18 de enero de 2012 Athletic Bilbao vs Mallorca 13:00 hrsReal Madrid vs Barcelona 15:00 hrsJueves 19 de enero de 2012 Valencia vs Levante 14:30 hrsMartes 24 de enero de 2012 Mirandes vs Espanyol 14:00 hrsMiércoles 25 de enero de 2012 Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao 13:00 hrsBarcelona vs Real Madrid 15:00 hrsJueves 26 de enero de 2012 Levante vs Valencia 14:30 hrs Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

José Callejón scored the winner with six minutes remaining as Real Madrid came back from a goal down to beat Mallorca 2-1 and extend their Liga lead to eight points.

Tomer Hemed's first-half header threatened to send José Mourinho's side to only their second defeat in 24 matches in all competitions until Gonzalo Higuaín equalised with a shot which was helped over goalkeeper Dudu Aouate by the sliding Fernando Tissone.

Ahhhh! Sadly, there was no such thing as post-marriage luck for Alvaro Negredo last night as Sevilla crashed to a narrow Spanish Cup defeat in the hands of Valencia, despite their 2-1 win. Painfully, it was based on the away goals rule and those are always the hardest to bear!

In case anyone wants to revisit Espanyol's 1-1 draw over Barcelona this past weekend here are the highlights. Barca's fierce crosstown rivals did Real Madrid a huge favour by playing spoilers moving them five points clear on top of the table. Barca went ahead through Cesc Fabregas. Who knew he could head the ball with such venom, a phenomenon previously unknown to Arsenal fans.

Bienvenidaaaaa! We know it's Monday and you're probably still nursing that hangover from last Saturday but Gracias a Dios for football because Villarreal held Valencia to a 2-2 draw last night and we know the town folks are celebrating!

Espanyol vs Barcelona 2012 Highlights 1-1 Goals Video Cesc Fabregas Alvaro is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Espanyol vs Barcelona 2012 Highlights 1-1 Goals Video Cesc Fabregas Alvaro is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Espanyol vs Barcelona 2012 ( Espanyol vs Barca video below) Final score and result:- Espanyol vs Barcelona 1-1 ( Alvaro/ Fabregas) Estadi Cornella El Prat- 8 January, 2012- 20.

FC Barcelona dropped two precious points in their pursuit of league leaders Real Madrid with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Espanyol. In teh 200-07 season, it was against Espanyol we lost the league title. There is still 21 games to be played yet, but maybe at the ned of the season we would be considering this match as a turning point.

Football resumed in Spain after the short winter break, and it did not take long for the first upset of 2012 to occur, as a late equalizer from Espanyol in the Barcelona derby dented Barca's title hopes.

Real Madrid started off 2012 like they ended 2011, scoring goals. This week Madrid beat Granada 5-1 with Karim Benzema scoring twice and Cristiano Ronaldo hitting his 21st league goal of the season.

Catalunya's Annual Match. Professionals from six clubs playing for their heritage.

Victor Valdés: "You will be unstoppable"

Xavi: "You make the difference"

Gerard Piqué: "The superstars are you"

Carles Puyol: "We play for you"

Andreu Fontas: "We are your selection"

Joan Verdu: "We'll wait at the stadium"

Cesc: "For many years I have wanted to play in this game"

Álvaro Vázquez: "You have already won"

Johan Cruyff is the manager, striving for Total Football.

Catalunya's Annual Match. Professionals from six clubs playing for their heritage.

Victor Valdés: "You will be unstoppable"

Xavi: "You make the difference"

Gerard Piqué: "The superstars are you"

Carles Puyol: "We play for you"

Andreu Fontas: "We are your selection"

Joan Verdu: "We'll wait at the stadium"

Cesc: "For many years I have wanted to play in this game"

Álvaro Vázquez: "You have already won"

Johan Cruyff is the manager, striving for Total Football.

Yes the Clasico was not the only game played in La Liga this weekend. Here is a review of the other games played.

Third placed Valencia looked to have the points wrapped up at Betis on Saturday, before two injury time goals from Ruben Castro turned the result around to give the Seville side their first win in 11 games, winning 2-1.

Ajax vs Real Madrid 0-3 Highlights Video Champions League 2011 Jose Callejon Higuain is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Ajax vs Real Madrid 0-3 Highlights Video Champions League 2011 Jose Callejon Higuain is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Ajax vs Real Madrid 2011 ( Ajax Amsterdam Real video below) Final score and result:- Ajax vs Real Madrid 0-3 ( Jose Callejon*2, Gonzalo Higuain) Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands- Champions League- [.

With the top three all in action on Saturday, attention will switch to the fight for UEFA spots and the struggle at the bottom on Sunday. Levant host Sporting, in-form Bilbao are at home to Granada, the stuttering Seville are at Zaragoza and Espanyol are at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium against Osasuna.

It was reported last week that the Russian moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala were keen on rescuing the Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci from his nightmare scenario at the Emirates, and Arsene Wenger will be pleased to know that the Spanish side Espanyol are also interested in the ex-French international.

It was reported last week that the Russian moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala were keen on rescuing the Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci from his nightmare scenario at the Emirates, and Arsene Wenger will be pleased to know that the Spanish side Espanyol are also interested in the ex-French international.

Real Madrid vs Dinamo Zagreb 6-2 Highlights 2011 Goals Benzema Callejon Ozil Higuain CL is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Real Madrid vs Dinamo Zagreb 6-2 Highlights 2011 Goals Benzema Callejon Ozil Higuain CL is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Real Madrid vs Dinamo Zagreb 2011 ( Madrid vs Dinamo 2011 Video Below) Final score and result:- Real Madrid vs Dinamo Zagreb 6-2 ( Benzema*2, Callejon*2, Higuain, Ozil/ Beciraj, Tomecak) [.

The clock has struck midnight on Levante's cinderella start to the season as the former leaders suffered their third consecutive defeat in a row, this time at the hands of Atlético Madrid.

All five goals came within a rollercoaster final 25 minutes as Atlético won 3-2. Xavi Torres equalised for the visitors shortly after Pizzi had put the hosts ahead, but Adrián López's fourth goal of the season and Diego's 83rd-minute effort ensured Atlético moved up to ninth.

Arthur Irawan may not be the best known player in Indonesia. It seems even the various national team selectors weren't aware of his presence or talent as the 18 year old striker wasn't included in the current SEA Games squad.
Maybe not good enough for his national team but Irawan was obviously good enough for La Liga as Espanyol have signed him.

03.11.2011 - 35 argentinos, entre jugadores y entrenadores, animan la Liga BBVA de España en esta incipiente temporada 2011 - 2012. Aquí su actualidad:
Marcelo Bielsa (56):1º temporada en el Athletic de Bilbao. Su equipo sumó 13 puntos en 10 jornadas. No perdió en los 6 últimos partidos.

SPANISH FOOTBALL finally finished Round 10 with the last two matches scheduled in LA LIGA played tonight. Here are the results & the scorers. Pandiani RCD ESPANYOL notched up its third straight victory defeating REAL BETIS 1 - 0. Its the fifth straight loss for Betis which started so well the season & now are really suffering with their game.

Levante extended its best ever start by beating 10-man Malaga 3-0 Sunday for a fifth straight victory that kept it level with Barcelona atop the Spanish league.

In a matchup between the league's lowest payroll and biggest offseason spender, Levante outplayed the revamped Malaga by taking advantage of the visitors' goalkeeping gaffs.

Lionel Messi scored a landmark goal for Barcelona and Gonzalo Higuaín a second successive hat-trick for Real Madrid as the top two clubs in the Liga registered comfortable wins on Saturday.

Messi broke the deadlock in typically eye-catching fashion 11 minutes into Barça's 3-0 win against Real Racing Club at Camp Nou, accelerating clear of the final defender before switching the ball from left foot to right and slotting the ball into an empty net with goalkeeper Toño bamboozled.

Real Madrid vs Real Betis 4-1 Highlights Video 2011 Higuain Hat trick Goals is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Real Madrid vs Real Betis 4-1 Highlights Video 2011 Higuain Hat trick Goals is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Real Madrid vs Real Betis 2011 ( Madrid vs Betis 2011) Score and result:- Real Madrid vs Real Betis 4-1 ( Higuain*3, Kaka/ Molina) Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid- 15 October, 2011 Gonzalo [.

In the latest serialization of his new book, Pepe Reina has revealed he feared Liverpool would be relegated during the tenure of Rafa Benitez.
Despite coming agonizingly close to winning the title a year before, the Reds finished seventh during Benitez's final season at the helm.
This poor showing led to the Spaniard being sacked as Liverpool boss after six years with the club, and he was replaced at Anfield by Roy Hodgson.