Latest news with #IbrahimDiarra
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch: Ibrahim Diarra dazzles as Barcelona win UEFA Youth League final
Barcelona prodigy Ibrahim Diarra proved himself the star of the show on Monday, as the Blaugrana secured glory in the UEFA Youth League. Barca's U19s marked their return to action a short time ago, making the trip to Nyon, Switzerland, for a Youth League finale showdown with Trabzonspor. Advertisement And, when all was said and done, the Catalans made short work of their Turkish opponents, to the tune of a 4-1 rout. Ibrahim Diarra, who secured his long-awaited move to Barcelona late last year, stood out as the game's star peformer, notching two goals, as well as an assist. The Malian winger's opening goal, to put Barca in front on the evening, is showcased below: Next on the scoresheet was another highly-regarded youngster, in defender Andrés Cuenca: Hugo Alba was next on target for Barcelona, laid on by Man of the Match Diarra: And Diarra then turned goalscorer once more to guide his side into an unassailable lead, securing the status of Barca's U19s as UEFA Youth League champions for 2024/25: Conor Laird – GSFN
Nahar Net
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Nahar Net
Barcelona targets European title hat trick after winning UEFA Youth League final
by Naharnet Newsdesk 29 April 2025, 14:36 Barcelona is on course for a hat trick of European titles after beating Trabzonspor 4-1 in the UEFA Youth League final on Monday. It was won the day after Barcelona reached the Women's Champions League final and two days before the men's team hosts Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Leading from the 11th minute, on the first of two precise left-foot strikes by Mali youth international Ibrahim Diarra, Barcelona was rarely tested to claim a record third European youth title. Trabzonspor got a deserved goal in the 88th. No club has swept European titles at each level since the Youth League started in the 2013-14 season. Barcelona won the inaugural edition and also lifted the trophy in 2018. Barcelona's youth system is so strong that first-team players Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were still eligible for the under-19 team that plays in the UEFA Youth League. The starting lineup on Monday had 10 players older than superstar winger Yamal, who turned 17 last July on the eve of helping Spain win the European Championship final against England. Barcelona was too strong for Trabzonspor, the first Turkish team to reach even the round of 16 in the competition. Hundreds of its noisy claret-and-blue fans outnumbered Barcelona's support in the small stadium next to UEFA headquarters. Diarra's opening goal was added to in the 18th when defender Andres Cuenca tapped in a loose ball after goalkeeper Erol Can Çolak pushed away a powerful header by Landry Farré. Barcelona captain Hugo Alba placed a rising shot in the 57th and Diarra again found the bottom corner of the net in the 68th. A late header by Trabzonspor defender Bican Tibukoğlu hardly dimmed the celebrations for Barcelona, which could have a stellar end to the season. The La Liga-leading men's team must get past Inter over two legs to earn a Champions League final on May 31 in Munich against Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal. The women's team faces Arsenal in their Champions League final on May 24 in Lisbon. The youth team coached by Juliano Belletti — who scored a Champions League-winning goal for Barcelona against Arsenal in 2006 — did its part on Monday.
Winnipeg Free Press
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Barcelona targets European title hat trick after winning UEFA Youth League final
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Barcelona is on course for a hat trick of European titles after beating Trabzonspor 4-1 in the UEFA Youth League final on Monday. It was won the day after Barcelona reached the Women's Champions League final and two days before the men's team hosts Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Leading from the 11th minute, on the first of two precise left-foot strikes by Mali youth international Ibrahim Diarra, Barcelona was rarely tested to claim a record third European youth title. Trabzonspor got a deserved goal in the 88th. No club has swept European titles at each level since the Youth League started in the 2013-14 season. Barcelona won the inaugural edition and also lifted the trophy in 2018. Barcelona's youth system is so strong that first-team players Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were still eligible for the under-19 team that plays in the UEFA Youth League. The starting lineup on Monday had 10 players older than superstar winger Yamal, who turned 17 last July on the eve of helping Spain win the European Championship final against England. Barcelona was too strong for Trabzonspor, the first Turkish team to reach even the round of 16 in the competition. Hundreds of its noisy claret-and-blue fans outnumbered Barcelona's support in the small stadium next to UEFA headquarters. Diarra's opening goal was added to in the 18th when defender Andres Cuenca tapped in a loose ball after goalkeeper Erol Can Çolak pushed away a powerful header by Landry Farré. Barcelona captain Hugo Alba placed a rising shot in the 57th and Diarra again found the bottom corner of the net in the 68th. A late header by Trabzonspor defender Bican Tibukoğlu hardly dimmed the celebrations for Barcelona, which could have a stellar end to the season. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. The La Liga-leading men's team must get past Inter over two legs to earn a Champions League final on May 31 in Munich against Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal. The women's team faces Arsenal in their Champions League final on May 24 in Lisbon. The youth team coached by Juliano Belletti — who scored a Champions League-winning goal for Barcelona against Arsenal in 2006 — did its part on Monday. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Barcelona targets European title hat trick after winning UEFA Youth League final
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Barcelona is on course for a hat trick of European titles after beating Trabzonspor 4-1 in the UEFA Youth League final on Monday. It was won the day after Barcelona reached the Women's Champions League final and two days before the men's team hosts Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Leading from the 11th minute, on the first of two precise left-foot strikes by Mali youth international Ibrahim Diarra, Barcelona was rarely tested to claim a record third European youth title. Trabzonspor got a deserved goal in the 88th. No club has swept European titles at each level since the Youth League started in the 2013-14 season. Barcelona won the inaugural edition and also lifted the trophy in 2018. Barcelona's youth system is so strong that first-team players Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were still eligible for the under-19 team that plays in the UEFA Youth League. The starting lineup on Monday had 10 players older than superstar winger Yamal, who turned 17 last July on the eve of helping Spain win the European Championship final against England. Barcelona was too strong for Trabzonspor, the first Turkish team to reach even the round of 16 in the competition. Hundreds of its noisy claret-and-blue fans outnumbered Barcelona's support in the small stadium next to UEFA headquarters. Diarra's opening goal was added to in the 18th when defender Andres Cuenca tapped in a loose ball after goalkeeper Erol Can Çolak pushed away a powerful header by Landry Farré. Barcelona captain Hugo Alba placed a rising shot in the 57th and Diarra again found the bottom corner of the net in the 68th. A late header by Trabzonspor defender Bican Tibukoğlu hardly dimmed the celebrations for Barcelona, which could have a stellar end to the season. The La Liga-leading men's team must get past Inter over two legs to earn a Champions League final on May 31 in Munich against Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal. The women's team faces Arsenal in their Champions League final on May 24 in Lisbon. The youth team coached by Juliano Belletti — who scored a Champions League-winning goal for Barcelona against Arsenal in 2006 — did its part on Monday. ___ AP soccer:
CAF
05-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
U17 World Cup: Mali's academy formula fuels another charge for glory
Mali have once again underlined their status as a continental youth football powerhouse by qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to be held in Qatar this November. The Aiglonnets secured their ticket with a commanding 2-0 victory over the Central African Republic in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday night, confirming their dominance in a tournament where they've consistently impressed. With seven U-17 World Cup appearances to date, Mali continue to show remarkable consistency and hunger. In 2023, the West African nation made a major statement by clinching third place in Indonesia, a campaign highlighted by Ibrahim Diarra winning the Silver Boot and Hamidou Makalou earning the Silver Ball. These accolades reflect years of deep-rooted investment in youth development. Academies at the heart of success At the centre of Mali's youth football revolution is a robust academy system. These institutions serve as pipelines for national youth teams, and none have been more influential than the Jean-Marc Guillou (JMG) Academy. Known for producing stars like Yves Bissouma and Amadou Haidara, JMG continues to contribute talent, including Ibrahima Diakité and Seydou Dembélé, the latter named Man of the Match against the Central African Republic. 'Our academies play a very, very important role,' said Adama Diefla Diallo, head coach of the U-17s. 'If Mali keeps returning to youth tournaments, it's largely because of them.' Institutions like the Centre Salif Keita, as well as private and federation-led structures, enable early talent identification and long-term support. 'This long-term work allows us to stay competitive in Africa and represent the continent with pride on the world stage,' Diallo added. Passing down a legacy Malian football is built on legacy. National icons such as Seydou Keita, U-20 World Cup Golden Ball winner in 1999, and Mahamadou Diarra, both Centre Salif Keita alumni, paved the way. Their bronze-medal journey in 1999 remains a benchmark for young players. Today, a new generation is rising. Striker Ibrahim Diarra, from the Africa Foot Academy, joined FC Barcelona for a training stint in November 2024 and now wears the famous blaugrana colours—testament to Mali's growing global reputation for producing top talent. 'We all want to surpass them,' declared rising star Seydou Dembélé, brimming with ambition. Eyes firmly on the trophy Mali no longer hide their intentions. Finalists in 2015, third in 2023, and fourth in 1997, the Aiglonnets are a permanent fixture in the U-17 World Cup's latter stages. But the title remains elusive. 'This time, the goal is to win it, insha'Allah,' said coach Diallo. With a talented squad, a structured development system, and a deep-rooted footballing culture, Mali are moving forward with purpose. The dream of standing on the top step of the podium no longer feels out of reach.
