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Football: Messi shines as impressive Barca win in Bilbao

BILBAO, SPAIN (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi was at the top of his game as Barcelona earned a 3-2 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday (Jan 5) to move up to third in La Liga. Athletic got off to a dream start in their first match under new coach Marcelino when forward Inaki Williams latched on to a low through ball and raced towards goal, beating one defender before firing low into the net in the third minute. Barca quickly responded, however, with a sensational team goal, Messi delivering a superb pass to pick out Frenkie de Jong by the byline and the Dutchman volleyed the ball back across the area for 18-year-old Pedri to head home. Messi and Pedri combined beautifully to put Barca ahead, the youngster receiving a pass from the Argentine before returning it with a delightful backheel and Messi rolled the ball into the bottom corner in the 38th minute. Messi struck again in the 62nd minute to finish off another brilliant team move and missed a couple of chances to complete his hat-trick, although Iker Muniain made for a tense finale by scoring for Athletic in the 90th. The win took Barca above Real Sociedad and into third in the standings on 31 points, seven behind leaders Atletico Madrid who have two games in hand on the Catalans.

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Messi grateful after breaking Pele mark

BARCELONA • Lionel Messi beat Pele's record of goals for a single club when he scored his 644th for Barcelona in a 3-0 Spanish La Liga victory over Valladolid on Tuesday. The Argentina skipper scored Barca's third goal when he collected Pedri's back-heel before firing past goalkeeper Jordi Masip in the 65th minute. "When I started playing football I never thought I would break any records. And even less the one I achieved today," Messi posted on Instagram shortly after the game. "I can only thank all those who helped me over the years, my teammates, my family, my friends and all those who support me every day." Messi, who is Barca's record goalscorer, had equalled Pele on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Valencia, with both players netting at almost an equal rate for their clubs. It was the 33-year-old's 749th competitive match for Barca, meaning he has scored a goal every 1.16 games. The Brazil legend scored 643 goals in 757 matches with Santos, where he played from 1956 to 1974, or one every 1.17 matches. Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi - with 10 goals in all competitions and five being penalties - is enduring his worst individual season since 2007-08. However, Barca coach Ronald Koeman is hoping that by switching to an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation, he can free up his captain in attacking areas. Despite dropping Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho, the visitors dominated at Valladolid and the Dutchman, whose side also scored via Clement Lenglet and Martin Braithwaite, hopes they can build on the away win, their first in the league since Oct 1. Koeman said: "I see Messi happy. He is working hard, and he is a very important part of our attacking game. "For this game, we changed our formation to give us more security at the back and make the most of the quality of our full-backs. "At the same time, we were able to build plays without any problems, and have lots of possession and players running between the lines. We saw a team that meant business, that showed good concentration, and we created a lot of opportunities." Barca remain eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid (32), who won 2-0 at third-placed Real Sociedad (26) on Tuesday, and have also played a game more. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS

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Football: Lionel Messi breaks Pele’s record goal haul by scoring 644th for Barca

VALLADOLID, SPAIN (REUTERS) - Barcelona turned on the style to thrash Real Valladolid 3-0 away in La Liga on Tuesday (Dec 22) as Lionel Messi scored his 644th goal to surpass Pele as the all-time record scorer for a single club. Messi finally got his first assist of the season when he picked out defender Clement Lenglet with a splendid cross and the Frenchman rose to head Barca in front after 21 minutes. The Argentine also had a hand in Barca’s second goal, laying on a pass for rightback Sergino Dest to latch on to down the right flank and play a cross into the path of Martin Braithwaite, who slid in to score in the 35th minute. Record-breaking Messi capped a brilliant individual and team display with a splendid goal of his own midway through the second half, running in behind to meet a pass from teenager Pedri and slotting the ball into the far bottom corner.

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Football: Ronaldo scores twice as Juventus crush Messi’s troubled Barcelona

BARCELONA (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice from the penalty spot to win his battle with rival Lionel Messi and guide Juventus to a 3-0 win over Barcelona on Tuesday (Dec 8), earning the Italians top spot in Champions League Group G. The former Real Madrid striker and his Argentina counterpart traded Ballon d'Or wins for a decade between 2008-2017 and were figureheads for the duelling Spanish giants, but there was only one winner at the Camp Nou as they met for the first time since Ronaldo's departure for Juve in 2018. Andrea Pirlo's Juventus lost 2-0 at home against Barcelona in October without Ronaldo, sidelined with Covid-19, but were greatly improved and earned the first Champions League away win against Barcelona since Bayern Munich triumphed in 2013. Both sides, tied on 15 points, were assured of qualification before kick-off, but Juve's three-goal victory handed them a superior head-to-head record. Ronald Koeman, reeling from Barcelona's 2-1 defeat by promoted minnows Cadiz on Saturday in La Liga, reacted by making four changes but the hosts started badly. It only took 13 minutes for Ronaldo to break the deadlock, slotting home from the penalty spot after the referee deemed Ronald Araujo's challenge on him a foul. Juventus did not relent and their pressure led to a second goal, US midfielder Weston Mckenzie volleying home Juan Cuadrado's sweetly clipped cross in the 20th minute. The Catalans and their captain Messi finally woke from their slumber, as the attacker had one effort blocked by Matthijs de Ligt and another saved by veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, while Pjanic lashed over the bar. Ronaldo notched his second from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after Clement Lenglet handled clumsily in the area, as the hosts imploded. Antoine Griezmann, who was invisible in the first half, grazed the crossbar with a looping header from a Messi free kick, and Buffon beat out another effort, with De Ligt's pressure enough to stop Martin Braithwaite converting the rebound. Leonardo Bonucci had a fourth goal ruled out for offside after he tapped in Ronaldo's effort from close range, with Messi trying in vain at the other end to answer Ronaldo, but he found the 42-year-old Buffon in his way time and time again.

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Football: Super-sub Lionel Messi scores twice to lead Barca to Betis win

MADRID (AFP) - Lionel Messi came on at half-time to rescue Barcelona by scoring twice, including his first goal from open play this season, in a 5-2 victory over Real Betis on Saturday (Nov 7). Messi had been rested by Ronald Koeman but was thrown on with the game in the balance after Antoine Griezmann missed a penalty in the Argentinian's absence, before Antonio Sanabria cancelled out Ousmane Dembele's opener. But within four minutes of his introduction, Messi gave Griezmann an open goal with a superb dummy and then scored twice himself, the first a penalty that saw Betis' Aissa Mandi sent off for a handball on the line. In between, Loren Moron had given Betis brief hope but Messi's second and a late strike from Pedri ensured Barcelona ended their four-match winless run and climbed to eighth in La Liga. Messi gave a resounding answer to those suggesting his performances this season have been evidence of decline. "Leo finished the match against Kiev with some problems," said Koeman. "He wasn't in a position to play in the first half but we talked about him being on the bench and said he would come on if he felt good. "He's a player who in principle always plays, but today he didn't because of some minor problems." Even before registering his first goal of the season from open play, the 33-year-old had turned this game, putting Barcelona in control with his brilliant dummy for Griezmann and then a penalty won from a Dembele shot, teed up by his pass. Griezmann also got his goal with Messi on the pitch but was unable to prove a point without him. Gloomy Griezmann Despite a lively opening half an hour, Griezmann missed a penalty before Messi scored his and the Frenchman was eventually substituted, pictured sat in the stands with a gloomy expression while Barca romped to victory. "I hope he continues to work like he is working," said Koeman. "To miss opportunities you have to be there. We must highlight his character, to keep working. He knows perfectly well that he has missed a penalty, and some chances, but it means he is always there to score." Neither team seemed too interested in defending early on as Griezmann and Ansu Fati fired off two shots each while Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to be alert to push away William Carvalho's header. Barca broke through after 22 minutes when Dembele cut inside onto his left foot before hammering a finish past Claudio Bravo for his first league goal in 13 months. When Mandi conceded a penalty after sliding in on Ansu at the front post, Griezmann had his chance to add a goal to his busy first-half display. But Griezmann missed, a tame shot easily saved by Bravo, before Betis scored, Sanabria finishing after Cristian Tello had again surged clear down the left. Messi came on and four minutes later Barca were ahead, the Argentinian scuttling to meet Jordi Alba's cross at the front post, only to step over the ball, fooling his marker and the goalkeeper, to leave Griezmann with an open net. Eleven minutes later, Messi made it 3-1 with a penalty, won after his pass had set up Dembele for a shot that was blocked on the line by the arm of Mandi, who was sent off. Moron gave Betis hope with 17 minutes left when he finished off Alex Moreno's pullback but Messi made sure, latching onto Sergi Roberto's flick and smashing in his second and Barca's fourth. Pedri made it five in injury-time. Sevilla later beat Osasuna 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Lucas Ocampos, that moves them up to 11th. It is only the second time Sevilla have managed back-to-back wins this season, after a 3-2 victory over Krasnodar on Wednesday in the Champions League.

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Football: Barca need Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to seal nervy Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev

BARCELONA (AFP) - Lionel Messi scored another penalty but Barcelona had Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for a nervy Champions League 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday (Nov 4), which will do little to ease the pressure on coach Ronald Koeman. Goalkeeper Ter Stegen had to make a string of excellent stops at Camp Nou to save Barca from slipping up against a depleted Dynamo side, who were without nine first team players after they tested positive for coronavirus. Viktor Tsygankov gave Dynamo hope with 15 minutes left after Messi scored a penalty and Gerard Pique headed in but Ter Stegen's heroics ensured Barcelona held on for their third victory out of three in Group G. Their 100 per cent record so far in the Champions League, which included an impressive performance away at Juventus last week, has come in stark contrast to a stumbling start to the season in La Liga. A 1-1 draw away at Alaves on Saturday made it four league games without a win and leaves Barcelona sitting 12th in the table, eight points behind Real Madrid. Victory against Dynamo was therefore all-important for morale and for Koeman, whose future is uncertain given a new president will take over in the next three months after the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu. Yet there were no celebrations from the players at full-time and Koeman's face throughout was one of angst and frustration as Ter Stegen was repeatedly called upon. Ter Stegen stars Barca's goalkeeper was making his first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury and the only rival for his brilliant display came in the opposition's goal. With Dynamo's two first-choice keepers ill, the 18-year-old Ruslan Neshcheret was called up to make only his second senior appearance and he put on a superb display that included clawing out a Messi free-kick. Barcelona were on top in the early stages as Messi won and then converted his fifth-minute penalty before Pedri struck the crossbar and Antoine Griezmann dragged wide at the far post with the corner gaping. Pedri, Messi and Ansu Fati all went close with shots but Kiev survived and as the half wore on, found a way to make Barca feel uncomfortable. Ter Stegen began by palming out Vitalii Buyalskyi's header and then Frenkie De Jong, being deployed at centre-back, was pushed off the ball too easily by Vladyslav Supryaha, who hit Ter Stegen's right boot. In between, Dynamo had a goal chalked off, Tomasz Kedziora's header ruled out after the cross curled beyond the goal-line and the visitors were punished for not making their pressure count. Messi's bending free-kick was brilliantly saved by Neshcheret but he could do nothing about Pique's header just after the hour, the defender meeting Fati's cross from the left and finding the far corner. Buyalskyi was in again but again he hit Ter Stegen until finally the German was beaten as Tsygankov followed up Benjamin Verbic's flicked finish. There was still time for an equaliser but Dynamo failed to create the decisive chance.

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Football: Cristiano Ronaldo still positive for coronavirus before Barcelona game

TURIN (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive again for coronavirus on the eve of Juventus's Champions League clash against his great rival Lionel Messi's Barcelona, according to media reports in Italy and Portugal. Portuguese TVI reported that Ronaldo "has once against tested positive for Covid-19" following a swab carried out by Juventus. The 35-year-old is now awaiting the result of a UEFA test which, if also positive, would rule him out of the Group G game in Turin. Ronaldo first tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago while playing with Portugal, and has been in self-isolation since returning to Italy. According to TV1, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has tested positive 18 times. Ronaldo needed to return a negative test, 24 hours before the game to be allowed to play, according to UEFA rules. Juventus only confirm if a player has recovered, with Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta Dello Sport reporting that Ronaldo will miss the Barcelona game. "Ronaldo had a test like everyone else, this evening (Tuesday) we will have the definitive result," coach Andrea Pirlo told a press conference earlier Tuesday. "For now it's all on the high seas, when the final result comes everything will be clearer. "Depending on the result, we'll see what we do. It's not easy to play an entire game after 15 days of inactivity." Ronaldo, who has no symptoms, has missed three games including his side's 2-0 Champions League win at Dynamo Kiev last week. The clash would be the first between Ronaldo and Messi since the Portugal forward left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018. "For 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo have done great things," said former Italy and Juventus midfielder Pirlo. "For the first time, I'll be taking on Messi as a coach, I'll treat him with the enormous respect that he deserves." Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman added: "We always want the best to be on the pitch, and Ronaldo is a great player. "I don't know if he will be in condition to play, that's not my problem. But if Ronaldo is there, it is one more reason for us to be ready." Koeman, like Pirlo, has taken over as coach this season, with the teams top of Group G after winning their opening fixtures. But the Dutch manager has been under pressure after a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid at the weekend followed a 1-0 loss to Getafe, the first time in four years the Catalan giants have suffered consecutive defeats in the league. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu also resigned on Tuesday along with his board of directors, following mounting pressure from fans and his public falling out with Messi. 'Not a decisive game' Ronaldo and Messi now look set to meet again in the reverse fixture at the Nou Camp on December 8. Messi, 33, has featured in four victorious campaigns for Barcelona, while Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times, four with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United. Messi has six Ballon d'Or titles with Ronaldo claiming five. However Ronaldo has 130 Champions League goals to Messi's 116. "It's clear that any team would miss a player like Cristiano," said Brazil defender Danilo at the pre-match press conference. "But we have faith in every player on the team. We have people who want to do well and help us have a great match." Messi has won 16 of their 35 encounters to Ronaldo's 10, with the remaining nine ending in draws. The pair have only met five times in Champions League games, most recently in the semi-final in 2011. Pirlo also has defensive worries with captain Giorgio Chiellini, and Matthijs De Ligt out but fellow centreback Leonardo Bonucci's thigh strain will be evaluated on Wednesday morning. "These are the matches that everyone would like to play. We have this opportunity and we can't wait to test ourselves against Barcelona," said Pirlo. "It's not a decisive game, but we still want to see what our value is." Argentina forward Paulo Dybala remains "a bit tired" after playing for 90 minutes in his first match in over three months last Sunday against Verona. "It's normal after the first game as a starter. He'll have time to recover and play tomorrow night."

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