Latest news with #CopadelRay
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona defeats Real Madrid in high-scoring El Clasíco, despite Kylian Mbappé hat trick
On Sunday, Barcelona and Real Madrid faced off once again — and once again, Barcelona came out on top. In a high-scoring edition of the iconic El Clasíco matchup, Barcelona took a 4-3 win despite a hat trick from Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé. Barcelona has ruled the rivalry this season: The club has defeated Real Madrid four times this season, starting with a 4-0 La Liga victory in October. Subsequent victories in the Supercopa de España and Copa del Ray further proved Barcelona's dominance this year. Mbappé struck first with an early penalty kick in the fifth minute after an ill-timed tackle gave him a chance from the spot, and then struck again in the 14th minute off an excellent assist from Vinícius Júnior. But then Barcelona started to pull away. Defender Eric Garcia struck first in the 19th minute, followed by three Barça goals in less than 15 minutes: one from 17-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal in the 32nd minute, and then two from Raphinha after 34 and 45 minutes. LAMINE YAMAL AND RAPHINHA BOTH SCORE WITHIN TWO MINUTES OF EACH OTHER TO COMPLETELY TURN ELCLÁSICO AROUND FOR BARCA! 3-2! 😱 — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 11, 2025 Mbappé came back with another in the 70th minute to bring the score to 4-3, completing his hat trick. But Real Madrid couldn't break through Barcelona's defense, as goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny made a number of key saves to hold the lead. Barcelona midfielder Fermín Lopez nearly made it 5-3 in stoppage time, but his goal was called back due to a handball in the run-up. Barcelona instead settled for a one-goal victory, and El Clasíco bragging rights for another year. Barcelona is currently at the top of the La Liga standings with 82 points, while Real Madrid sits in second with 75. With three matches remaining in the regular season, Barcelona only needs one win to secure the La Liga title.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona defeats Real Madrid in high-scoring El Clasíco, despite Kylian Mbappé hat trick
On Sunday, Barcelona and Real Madrid faced off once again — and once again, Barcelona came out on top. In a high-scoring edition of the iconic El Clasíco matchup, Barcelona took a 4-3 win despite a hat trick from Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé. Barcelona has ruled the rivalry this season: The club has defeated Real Madrid four times this season, starting with a 4-0 La Liga victory in October. Subsequent victories in the Supercopa de España and Copa del Ray further proved Barcelona's dominance this year. Advertisement Mbappé struck first with an early penalty kick in the fifth minute after an ill-timed tackle gave him a chance from the spot, and then struck again in the 14th minute off an excellent assist from Vinícius Júnior. But then Barcelona started to pull away. Defender Eric Garcia struck first in the 19th minute, followed by three Barça goals in less than 15 minutes: one from 17-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal in the 32nd minute, and then two from Raphinha after 34 and 45 minutes. Mbappé came back with another in the 70th minute to bring the score to 4-3, completing his hat trick. But Real Madrid couldn't break through Barcelona's defense, as goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny made a number of key saves to hold the lead. Advertisement Barcelona midfielder Fermín Lopez nearly made it 5-3 in stoppage time, but his goal was called back due to a handball in the run-up. Barcelona instead settled for a one-goal victory, and El Clasíco bragging rights for another year. Barcelona is currently at the top of the La Liga standings with 82 points, while Real Madrid sits in second with 75. With three matches remaining in the regular season, Barcelona only needs one win to secure the La Liga title.
Iraqi News
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Flick has Barcelona on cusp of return to European elite
Berlin – Failing a collapse at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Hansi Flick has Barcelona on track for the Champions League semi-finals and a return to the European elite after a rocky decade in Catalonia. A semi-final placing, where Barcelona would likely be favourites to make the final, would represent the high-water mark so far for the Catalan giants in the post-Lionel Messi era. Four points clear of Real Madrid in the league with seven games remaining, and also facing Los Blancos in the Copa del Ray final, Barcelona are enjoying their best season since Messi's departure. Since winning it all in Berlin in 2015, Barcelona have only once made it back to the semi-finals of the Champions League. That came in 2018-19, although the match-up is one the Catalans would rather forget. In that tie, Barcelona became a footnote in the story of an incredible comeback from title-bound Liverpool, letting a 3-0 first-leg win slip in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield. The following season, Barcelona were thumped 8-2 by a Flick-coached Bayern Munich in the quarter finals. Barcelona did not make it back to the quarter finals until 2023-24, when their 3-2 first-leg away win over Paris Saint-Germain lead was overturned in a 4-1 thumping at home. Off the field, Barcelona have endured a seemingly endless run of financial scandals, alongside losing Messi, their best ever player, on a free transfer in 2021. – 'We want to continue' – This season however, with Messi's heir apparent Lamine Yamal firing alongside Raphina and veteran Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona look back to their best, particularly against top opposition. Besides Wednesday's 4-0 win over Dortmund, last season's Champions League finalists, Barcelona's 4-1 win over Bayern in the group stages showed how ruthless Flick's side can be. In two clashes with Real this season, Barcelona won 4-0 and 5-2. Along with showing there is life after Messi at Barcelona, this season has been one of vindication for Flick. Despite piloting Bayern to a six-trophy season including the Champions League in 2019-20, Flick's poor stint as Germany boss raised doubts about his ability. Winning this season's Champions League final, at Munich's Allianz Arena no less, would show the 60-year-old truly belongs among the elite. On Saturday, a beaming Flick told reporters: 'We've come this far, but we want to continue on this path. 'I'm absolutely enjoying being able to work with my coaching staff and this team. We've got an incredible atmosphere in the side.' – 'Greatest miracle' – The hosts on Wednesday may take inspiration from Liverpool's comeback five years ago under their former coach Jurgen Klopp, but are under no illusions about the scale of the task. Struggling to fight back into European contention in the Bundesliga, Dortmund's 2-2 draw at Bayern on Saturday was a welcome response after the drubbing in Barcelona. Sporting director Lars Ricken said Saturday 'we need the greatest miracle in the history of Borussia Dortmund' to get through to the semi-finals. Ricken, a local product who was among the scorers on the club's greatest night — the 1997 Champions League final win over Juventus — is no stranger to big European nights in black and yellow. 'We have to try to win, whether that's enough to advance, I don't know.' Calling himself 'an optimist but a realist', Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said his side wanted to save face on Tuesday. 'But without a spark, a spark of hope, it wouldn't make sense. 'Our ambition is to win the game. Is it 1-0, 2-1? We are playing at home so we would like to give a gift to all our supporters.'
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flick has Barcelona on cusp of return to European elite
Flick has Barcelona on cusp of return to European elite Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has his side on course for the Champions League semi-finals (LLUIS GENE) Failing a collapse at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Hansi Flick has Barcelona on track for the Champions League semi-finals and a return to the European elite after a rocky decade in Catalonia. A semi-final placing, where Barcelona would likely be favourites to make the final, would represent the high-water mark so far for the Catalan giants in the post-Lionel Messi era. Advertisement Four points clear of Real Madrid in the league with seven games remaining, and also facing Los Blancos in the Copa del Ray final, Barcelona are enjoying their best season since Messi's departure. Since winning it all in Berlin in 2015, Barcelona have only once made it back to the semi-finals of the Champions League. That came in 2018-19, although the match-up is one the Catalans would rather forget. In that tie, Barcelona became a footnote in the story of an incredible comeback from title-bound Liverpool, letting a 3-0 first-leg win slip in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield. The following season, Barcelona were thumped 8-2 by a Flick-coached Bayern Munich in the quarter finals. Advertisement Barcelona did not make it back to the quarter finals until 2023-24, when their 3-2 first-leg away win over Paris Saint-Germain lead was overturned in a 4-1 thumping at home. Off the field, Barcelona have endured a seemingly endless run of financial scandals, alongside losing Messi, their best ever player, on a free transfer in 2021. - 'We want to continue' - This season however, with Messi's heir apparent Lamine Yamal firing alongside Raphina and veteran Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona look back to their best, particularly against top opposition. Besides Wednesday's 4-0 win over Dortmund, last season's Champions League finalists, Barcelona's 4-1 win over Bayern in the group stages showed how ruthless Flick's side can be. Advertisement In two clashes with Real this season, Barcelona won 4-0 and 5-2. Along with showing there is life after Messi at Barcelona, this season has been one of vindication for Flick. Despite piloting Bayern to a six-trophy season including the Champions League in 2019-20, Flick's poor stint as Germany boss raised doubts about his ability. Winning this season's Champions League final, at Munich's Allianz Arena no less, would show the 60-year-old truly belongs among the elite. On Saturday, a beaming Flick told reporters: "We've come this far, but we want to continue on this path. "I'm absolutely enjoying being able to work with my coaching staff and this team. We've got an incredible atmosphere in the side." Advertisement - 'Greatest miracle' - The hosts on Wednesday may take inspiration from Liverpool's comeback five years ago under their former coach Jurgen Klopp, but are under no illusions about the scale of the task. Struggling to fight back into European contention in the Bundesliga, Dortmund's 2-2 draw at Bayern on Saturday was a welcome response after the drubbing in Barcelona. Sporting director Lars Ricken said Saturday "we need the greatest miracle in the history of Borussia Dortmund" to get through to the semi-finals. Ricken, a local product who was among the scorers on the club's greatest night -- the 1997 Champions League final win over Juventus -- is no stranger to big European nights in black and yellow. Advertisement "We have to try to win, whether that's enough to advance, I don't know." Calling himself "an optimist but a realist", Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said his side wanted to save face on Tuesday. "But without a spark, a spark of hope, it wouldn't make sense. "Our ambition is to win the game. Is it 1-0, 2-1? We are playing at home so we would like to give a gift to all our supporters." dwi/gj
