Madrid: Not even an injury to Lionel Messi in the 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday could dampen Barcelona's celebrations at winning their 22nd Spanish league title. Messi started his first match in six rounds because of a recurring right hamstring injury, but he left the field in the 68th minute with Barcelona trailing 1-0 to Radamel Falcao's 52-minute goal and having made all three substitutions.
However, Alexis Sanchez leveled in the 72nd and Atletico midfielder Gabi Fernandez scored an own goal in the 80th to restart Barcelona's party for winning the title that was clinched when Real Madrid's title defense ended with a draw late Saturday. Barcelona's hard-fought win keeps them on pace to match Madrid's record haul of 100 points from last season. The Catalan club needs to win its remaining three matches to reach the mark.
"This title has more merit and maybe we value it more because we didn't win it last year," said Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. "It's juicier and we are enjoying it more. Reaching 100 points would be special, but we'll have to fight to win the final three games." While the team savored the comeback, the real festivities with its fans will be back in Barcelona on Monday when the players and staff are paraded through the city center.
On the down side, Barcelona said Messi had re-injured his hamstring and would undergo tests. Messi's early finish to the match meant he finally failed to find the net
08:04 AM, May 13, 2013
Barcelona: Lionel Messi netted two goals within 15 minutes of coming on as a substitute to give Barcelona a 4-2 comeback win over Real Betis on Sunday and push his team to the brink of the Spanish league title. After his teammates had rallied back twice to level at 2-2, Messi went on in the 56th and four minutes later curled in a free kick to extend his record scoring...
08:03 AM, May 06, 2013
Madrid: Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez will be out of action for four weeks after damaging ligaments in his right ankle while away on international duty with Chile, the La Liga leaders said on Thursday. The 23-year-old suffered the injury and had to be substituted during Chile's 3-1 friendly defeat to Serbia in Switzerland on Wednesday. Sanchez, who has only scored once in 15 appearances for Barca this season, will miss...
07:57 PM, Nov 15, 2012
Lisbon: Lionel Messi set up goals in each half for Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas as Barcelona beat Benfica 2-0 on Tuesday to make it two wins from two in the Champions League group stage. Messi hit a low cross from the left in the sixth minute that Sanchez poked in from close range. The Argentine dribbled into the penalty area before laying off the ball for Fabregas to fire...
02:44 AM, Oct 03, 2012
Madrid: Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez gave himself five out of 10 when asked to rate his first year with the Spanish soccer giants, and said on Wednesday his best was yet to come. Barca signed the Chile international from Italy's Udinese last year for a deal including variables that could rise to some 37 million euros, but he has yet to really make his mark at the Nou Camp. "We...
08:59 PM, Sep 26, 2012
AC Milan's hopes of striking a deal for Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez ended, with the player's club Barcelona turning down Milan's approach. After Zlatan Ibrahimovic moved to Paris Saint-Germanin, the Rossoneri have been looking to beef up their attack, and acquiring Sanchez on a one-year loan deal topped their priority list. But Barca have cut short the approach. Sanchez has scored 12 times in his 25 La Liga appearances after...
02:36 PM, Jul 24, 2012
