Spanish La Liga Round Twenty Seven
Saturday 14th March 2009
Real Madrid cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of the league with a 5-2 victory at Athletic Bilbao. Arjen Robben opened the scoring for the champions with a left footed drive. Gabriel Heinze made it 2-0 on 34 minutes, heading home a Wesley Sneijder free-kick. Bilbao got back in the game a few minutes later, Heinze putting past his own keeper from a David Lopez cross. The home side were reduced to ten men as Francisco Yeste was dismissed for pushing Iker Casillas. Bilbao despite losing Yeste equalised in injury time, Casillas failing to keep out Fernando Llorente’s headers out.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar put Real back into the lead just after the break, finding a way past Gorka Iraizoz at his near post. Athletic pushed forward to try and find an equaliser, but it was Real who scored next. Huntelaar scoring his second from an Arjen Robben cross. Real completed the scoring in the later stages, Gonzalo Higuain scoring from the penalty spot, after Marcelo was brought down in the box. Real cut Barca’s lead to three points with Barca playing in the Sunday evening game.
Valencia’s poor run of form continued as they were held 1-1 by Recreativo Huelva at the Mestalla. Javier Camunas gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute, poking the past Cesar Sanchez, despite the attention of Valencia defenders. Carlos Marchena was dismissed not long after the goal. 10 men Valencia rescued a point in the 83rd minute, substitute Pablo Hernandez scoring the equaliser.
Sunday 15th March 2009
Sevilla came back from two goals down away at Malaga to claim a 2-2 draw. The home side raced into a two goal lead thanks to a brace from striker Ballesta Salva. The away side got a goal back through Fredi Kanoute. Malaga were then reduced to ten men Javier Calleja being dismissed. Sevilla pressed home that advantage, Luis Fabiano equalising for Sevilla in the 84th minute.
Racing Santander scored five goals in the first half against Numancia to claim a 5-0 home victory. Oscar Serrano opened the scoring for the home side. Peter Luccin extended the lead before Nikola Zigic scored a brace to make it 4-0 to Racing. Oscar Serrano scored his second to round off the scoring and make it 5-0 to the home side.
Espanyol and Real Mallorca drew 3-3 at the Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys. Juan Arango gave the visitors the lead, but substitute Juanmi Callejon equalised for the home side. The visitors regained the lead through Brazilian Cleber Santana. Hurtado Moises received a red card after receiving two bookings for Espanyol. Jose Manuel Jurado put the visitors 3-1 up and it looked likely they would claim three points, but Espanyol didn’t give up. Ivan De La Pena made it 3-2 and the home side rescued a point through a last gasp Nene goal.
Sporting Gijon beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 at El Molinon. Sanchez Luis Moran opened the scoring on 50 minutes for the home side, before David Barral doubled that lead from the penalty spot. Depor got back into the game Sergio Gonzales scoring from another penalty. Gijon regained their two goal cushion through Ferrera Jose Angel. Riki got a second goal back for Depor from the penalty spot, but it was too little too late for the visitors.
Real Valladolid managed a 1-0 victory over Getafe. Getafe had Pedro Marlo dismissed and Valladolid took full advantage, Fabio Canobbio scoring the only goal at the Nuevo Jose Zorilla. Real Betis and Osasuna drew 0-0 at Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. The result suits neither side as they are both still in the fight to stay in La Liga.
Atletico Madrid overcame Villarreal 3-2 in the fight for Champion’s Leagues football next season. Diego Forlan had a second minute penalty saved by Diego Lopez. Matias Fernandez gave the visitors the lead against the run of play. Ruben Garcia doubled that lead after half time. Sergio Aguero got Atletico back into the game with a 53rd minute strike. Javi Venta was dismissed for Villarreal and that changed the game completely. Diego Forlan equalised for Atletico in the 81st minute, before Antonio Lopez scored the winner in the 83rd minute to complete a good comeback for Atletico.
Barcelona won 2-0 at Almeria. Barcelona rested Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry, but still managed to secure an away victory. Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves performed heroics to deny the visitors and keep the game 0-0 till just after half time. Eight minutes into the second half and highly rated youngster Bojan Krkic gave Barca the lead, slotting home after Lionel Messi’s shot hit the post. Bojan scored his brace three minutes later, scoring with a deflected shot after a typically sharp Barca passing move. Barcelona are now six points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Spanish La Liga Round Twenty Six
Saturday 7th March 2009
Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at the Camp Nou. Sergio Busquets gave Barca the lead in the 18th minute, with a header from close range. Lionel Messi added the second in the 32nd minute, from the penalty spot, after Andres Iniesta was fouled by Carlos Gurpegui. This win takes Barca six points clear at the top of La Liga, after Real Madrid could only draw with Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby. Real Madrid had previously won ten games on the trot before this game, but their winning run was ended by their neighbours. Atletico took the lead after 38 minutes in the Bernabeu, Diego Forlan firing an effort into the bottom corner. Real equalised in the 57th minute, courtesy of Dutchman Klaas Jan-Huntelaar.
Villarreal managed to beat Espanyol 1-0 at el Madrigal. Fabricio Fuentes scored the only goal in the 20th minute for Villarreal. This result leaves Villarreal fourth three points clear of Malaga.
Sunday 8th March 2009
Numancia beat Valencia 2-1 in the shock of the day. Vicente gave Los Ches the lead after just nine minutes. Carlos Aranda equalised for Numancia in the 41st minute. Jose Barkero clinched all three points for the home side with a strike in the 52nd minute.
Malaga won 2-1 at Getafe. Pereira Eliseu gave the away side the lead after 31 minutes. Nabil Baha doubled that lead on the stroke of half time. Cosmin Contra got a goal back for Getafe in the 74th minute. That wasn’t the end of the action however, both sides having players sent off, Ivan Cuadra for Malaga and Roberto Soldado dismissed for Getafe.
Deportivo beat Racing Santander 5-3 in an enthralling encounter. Jonathan gave Racing the lead after just a minute. Juan Rodriguez levelled the scores for Depor in the 25th minute. Giant striker Nikola Zigic gave Racing the lead in the 33rd minute. Riki equalised for Depor in the 51st minute. Angel Lafita then put Depor ahead in the 58th minute. Riki stretched Depor’s lead to 4-2 in the 60th minute. Joan Verdu made it 5-2 in the 68th minute, before substitute Jesus Berrocal scored a third for Racing in the 79th minute.
Real Mallorca secured a 3-3 draw against Real Betis, despite being three nil down. Betis took the lead after 26 minutes through Mark Gonzalez. Marco Aurelio doubled that lead just three minutes later. Arturo Arzu scored the third in the 68th minute, that goal looked like it clinched the three points, until Real Mallorca’s amazing comeback. Substitute Gonzalo Castro started the comeback scoring in the 72nd minute. Pierre Webo scored the second in the 74th minute, before Castro completed the remarkable comeback scoring in the 82nd minute.
Real Valladolid beat Recreativo Huelva 3-2 at Estadio Nuevo Colombino. Jonathan Sesma gave Valladolid the lead after eight minutes. Henok Goitom doubled that lead in the 22nd minute. Adrian Colunga scored for Recre in the 26th minute from the penalty spot. Henok Goitom restored Valladolid’s two goal lead in the 48th minute. The Swedish striker then received a straight red card in the 65th minute. Javier Camunas reduced Valladolid’s in the 89th minute to 3-2. Valladolid were then reduced to nine men as Rubio Alvaro was sent off for a second bookable offence, but Recre couldn’t find a way past nine men and Valladolid hung on for three points.
Sevilla beat Almeria 2-1 at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Fredi Kanoute gave the home side the lead on five minutes. Renato doubled the lead in the 62nd minute. Alvaro Negredo gave Almeria hope with a 71st minute penalty, but Sevilla managed to hold on to the three points.
Sporting Gijon beat Osasuna 2-1 at home. David Barral opened the scoring for the away side after eight minutes. Diego Castro doubled that lead in the 20th minute. Javad Nekounam scored a 29th minute consolation goal for Osasuna; this result leaves Osasuna still in the relegation zone.
Spanish La Liga Round Twenty Five
Saturday 28th February 2009
Real Madrid won 2-0 at Espanyol, to keep the pressure on Barcelona. Despite not being at their best, they took the lead in the 67th minute, through substitute Guti scoring. Raul scored Real’s second in the 72nd minute, to secure all three valuable points. Sevilla also won, beating Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in Bilbao. Bilbao started the stronger and took the lead in the in the 27th minute, Igor Gabilondo beating Palop with a low effort. Fredi Kanoute equalised for the away side in the 39th minute, smashing home a Mosquera cross. Kanoute scored his second in the 58th minute, the striker firing home from a Romaric through ball.
Sunday 1st March 2009
Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona 4-3 at the Vicente Calderon, in an enthralling encounter. Thierry Henry gave Barca the lead with a sensational long range curling effort. Lionel Messi doubled the lead in the 30th minute, after a goal ball by Samuel Eto’o. Diego Forlan smashed Atletico back into the game in the 32nd minute with superb effort. Sergio Aguero slotted home the equaliser in the 56th minute. Barca regained the lead in the 74th minute, as Eidur Gudjohnsen broke the offside trap and gave the ball to Henry for a tap in. Diego Forlan equalised for Atletico from the penalty spot, after lots of confusion. Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero scored the winner in the dying minutes, finishing past Valdes after a lucky break off Puyol. This victory was Atletico’s first victory in 2009 and it leaves Barca only four points clear of Real at the top.
Deportivo La Coruna continued their challenge for a European place by winning 1-0 at Numancia, Juan Rodriguez scoring the only goal with fifteen minutes remaining. The win moves Depor up to seventh place in La Liga and leaves Numancia bottom. Recreativo recorded a shock 2-0 away victory to Malaga. Manuel Ortiz Lolo received a red card in the 35th minute for Malaga and the home side couldn’t repel Recre. Javier Cumanas put the away side into the lead on 54 minutes. Adrian Colunga doubled the lead in the 64th minute to secure all three points.
Mallorca scored an away victory beating Sporting Gijon 1-0. Juan Arango gave the away side the lead in the 49th minute. The three points may prove valuable as it took Mallorca out of the drop zone on goal difference. Racing Santander drew 1-1 with Osasuna at home. Racing took the lead in the 13th minute through Oscar Serrano. Walter Pandiani rescued a point for the away side just before half-time. Osasuna now drop into the relegation zone, after Mallorca’s win. Almeria beat Getafe 2-1 at the Estadio Del Mediterraneo. Joffre Guerron gave Getafe the lead after eight minutes, but Alvaro Negredo put the home side level in the 17th minute. Negredo scored his brace in the 65th minute, to give the away side a crucial three points.
Real Betis drew 2-2 with Villarreal in Seville. The away side took a two goal lead. Santi Cazorla gave the Yellow Submarines the lead in the sixth minute; he then doubled that lead in the 36th minute. Betis got back in the game in the 42nd minute through Ricardo Oliveira and the same player scored their equaliser in the 57th minute. The result leaves Real Betis only two points off the relegation zone. Villarreal are in the fourth, three points clear of fifth place Atletico Madrid
Spanish La Liga Round Twenty Four
Saturday 21st February 2009
Barcelona suffered a shock 2-1 home derby defeat to Espanyol. Espanyol started the game as the bottom team in La Liga, but still managed to shock runaway leaders Barca. Barca had midfielder Seydou Keita dismissed after 38 minutes. Former Barca play Ivan De La Pena gave the visitors the lead in the 50th minute, with a good header. A Victor Valdes mistake gifted Espanyol the lead, after the keeper kicked the ball straight to De La Pena, who lobbed the stranded keeper. It was a result which will encourage the chasing Real Madrid.
Madrid hammered Real Betis 6-1 at the Bernabeu. The capital side scored all their goals in the first half. Gonzalo Higuain gave Real the lead after seven minutes. Klaas Jan-Huntelaar scored a brace with goals in the 15th and 24th minutes. Raul got in on the act scoring his own brace, scoring goals in the 36th and 42nd minutes. Ricardo Oliveira had scored in the 30th minute in-between Huntelaar’s and Raul’s braces. Sergio Ramos completed the extraordinary scoring just before half time. Real have now gave themselves hope of catching Barca at the top, after the Catalan side slipped up at home to Espanyol.
Sevilla beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. They left it late to score the winner, Jesus Navas scoring the in the 87th minute, that goal could be crucial in the fight for those valuable Champions League places. Villarreal beat Sporting Gijon 2-1 at the El Madrigal, to help their Champions League place challenge. Mate Bilic shocked the home fans by putting Gijon ahead in the first minute. That lead didn’t last however, Robert Pires equalising just a minute later for Villarreal. Defender Joan Capdevilla headed the winner in the 39th minute, to secure all three points.
Sunday 22nd February 2009
Malaga defeated Real Valladolid 3-1 away from home to maintain their European challenge. Malaga took the lead in the seventh minute through Albert Luque. Antonio Apono added the second in the 30th minute from the penalty spot. Pedro Oldoni got a goal back for the home team in the 83rd minute. Substitute Nacho sealed all three points in the 87th minute. Recreativo and Almeria drew 1-1 at El Nuevo Colombino. Albert Crusat was dismissed for the away side on 22 minutes. Javier Cumanas gave Recre the lead after 59 minutes, but Iriney Santos equalised for Almeria in the 76th minute from the penalty spot.
Elsewhere Getafe drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Getafe took the lead through Roberto Soldado on 16 minutes. Bilbao equalised through Spanish starlet Fernando Llorente in the 41st minute. Real Mallorca beat Racing Santander 1-0 at ONO Estadi. The visitors had Ezequiel Garay dismissed in the 50th minute. Mallorca left it late to get the winner but it arrived in the 89th minute through Jose Manuel Jurado. Osasuna beat Numancia 2-0 to help in their fight against relegation. Jaroslav Plasil gave the home side the lead after only two minutes. Massoud Shojaei doubled Osasuna’s lead in the 35th minute. Valencia and Deportivo drew 1-1 at the Riazor. David Villa gave Valencia the lead after 25 minutes, but was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 75th minute. Depor found an equaliser in the 79th minute, through an Adrian Lopez header.
Spanish La Liga Round Twenty Three
Saturday 14th February 2009
Barcelona had to comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Real Betis. Alessandro Melli gave the home side the lead after 18 minutes. That lead was doubled in the 25th minute by former Liverpool player Mark Gonzalez. Samuel Eto’o got a goal back for Barca just before the break. Real Betis struggled to hold onto the lead and finally cracked in the 84th minute as Eto’o scored his second. Despite drawing Barca are still 13 points clear of Real Madrid in second. Valencia drew 1-1 Malaga at the Mestalla. David Villa opened the scoring in the 53rd minute for Los Ches. Malaga had a huge stroke of luck in the 59th minute as Raul Albiol put past his own keeper. Deportivo La Coruna could only manage a 0-0 draw with Osasuna at the Riazor Stadium.
Sunday 15th February 2009
Real Madrid won 4-0 at Sporting Gijon. Raul opened the scoring in the 15th minute, a goal which took him above legend Alfredo Di Stefano, with his 308th strike for Real. Jan Klaas-Huntelaar doubled that lead in the 37th minute. Marcelo scored Real’s third in the 49th minute. With fourteen minutes remaining Raul finished off his special day with his second goal.
Almeria beat Valladolid 3-2 at the Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium. Valladolid shot into a two goal lead after just 23 minutes. Pedro Leon opened the scoring and Henok Goitom made it 2-0. Albert Crusat pulled a goal back for Almeria in the 62nd minute. Saltor Bruno saw red in the 64th minute for the home side. Despite being down to ten men Almeria equalised through Kalu Uche in the 70th minute. Almeria were then reduced to nine men in the 78th minute, as Uche was dismissed. Just a minute later, unbelievably Almeria took the lead through Alvaro Negredo. Valladolid were then reduced to men after 82 minutes, with Nano seeing red. Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Getafe at the Vicente Calderon. Diego Forlan gave Atletico the lead after 33 minutes and Juan Albin equalised for Getafe with only two minutes remaining.
Sevilla claimed a 2-0 away victory to Espanyol. Milan Smijanic was dismissed after 64 minutes and the away side took advantage, Frederic Kanoute giving Sevilla the lead after 84 minutes. Kanoute doubled Sevilla’s lead in the 90th minute, to seal all three points. Recreativo Huelva and Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 at San Mames. Aitor gave Recre the lead after 35 minutes, substitute Gaizka Torquero Pinedo equalising in the 51st minute, just three minutes after coming on. Real Mallorca won 1-0 at Numancia, Aritz Aduriz scoring the only goal in the 22nd minute. Villarreal drew 1-1 at Racing Santander. Striker Nikola Zigic gave Racing the lead in the 25th minute. The visitors equalised in the 43rd minute through Spanish international Santiago Cazorla.
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