The MSN trio scored 6 goals in Barcelona’s 8-0 win at Cordoba, while Real Madrid survived a late onslaught against Sevilla. Juventus were crowned Serie A champions for the 4th consecutive season, after a narrow win over Sampdoria.
Luis Suarez continued his fine run of form with a hattrick as Barcelona inched closer to the La Liga title with an annihilating win against Cordoba. Messi and Neymar missed glorious chances in the first half as Cordoba defended deep and let Barcelona enjoy the lion’s share of possession. Ivan Rakitic finally opened the scoring with a volley from close range in the 42nd minute and it seemed the hosts’ resolve crumbled to pieces as Suarez doubled his side’s lead, scrambling the ball past the ‘keeper with the last kick of the first-half. Cordoba simple lost it after the two quick-fire goals and were on the verge of an ugly breakdown. Dani Alves went on a marauding run down the right-flank and put in a teasing cross and Messi, who wasn’t even in the frame, sprinted to the edge of the box, bulleting a header into the bottom-corner. In the 53rd minute, Alves delivered another inviting cross and Suarez took full advantage of some sloppy defending by the hosts to glance a header into the back of the net.
Pic Courtesy: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Gerard Pique made it a hattrick of headers, when he got his goal after he was gifted a free header from a corner. Messi tapped in his second after a wild scramble in the box to make it 6-0. Neymar won a penalty after he was clumsily felled in the box and was asked to take the penalty himself, as Messi turned down the opportunity to score his hattrick. Neymar sent the ‘keeper the wrong way before Suarez got his hattrick when Xavi’s shot got deflected right into the Uruguayan’s path, scoring a true poacher’s goal. This crushing loss effectively ended Cordoba’s stay in the La Liga and will play in the Segunda division next season.
ImageCourtesy: Marcelo Del Pozo/Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick in a nervy win in Seville, winning 3-2 to keep the pressure on Barcelona. Goalkeeper Rico denied Ronaldo with a couple of reflex saves but the talismanic winger got his goal when he headed in James Rodriguez’s pivoting cross beyond the outstretched Rico. Sixty seconds later, James Rodriguez curled in a cross and Javier Hernandez flicked the ball on for Ronaldo to stab past Rico to make 2-0 in 2 minutes. Real Madrid seemed on course for a pretty decent scoreline at half-time before Sergio Ramos blatantly caught Vidal in the box to concede a penalty. Bacca sent Casillas the wrong way to haul Sevilla back into the game with the last piece of action of the first 45.
ImageCourtesy: Marcelo Del Pozo/Reuters
In the second-half both sides were seemingly happy to slow things down although Real dominated the ball, playing at a lazy pace. Substitute Gareth Bale made an immediate impact on proceedings when he whipped in an acute cross from the edge of the penalty area and Ronaldo sent his ferocious dipping header over and past the hapless Rico. Real looked comfortable with a 2 goal advantage; almost too comfortable when Gameiro slid in a pass between two defenders at the byline and Vidal’s deft cross was met by Iborra, who rolled it past a static Casillas. Cheered on by an ecstatic home crowd, Sevilla attacked doggedly and Casillas somehow managed to come on top in a mighty scramble in the box. Real held on to their one goal lead in an exciting game to stay on the tails of Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
A 4th straight title is headed to the Old Lady after Arturo Vidal’s header just after the hour mark took Juventus’ lead at the top to an unassailable 17 points. Facing Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have the chance to secure a historic treble, with a chance to win their first Coppa Italia since 1995, although the Italian admitted that European glory would be the ultimate triumph.
Manchester United suffered a 3rd straight defeat, this time against West Brom after Chris Brunt’s deflected free-kick did the damage against their hosts. Louis van Gaal complained that West Brom, parked the bus as Robin van Persie missed a penalty and a chance to equalize. Steven Gerrard went from villain to hero after he made amends for a missed penalty with a late headed winner in a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers. Leicester continued their impressive run of form and look to escape the drop after a 3-0 win against 9-men Newcastle United.
ImageCourtesy: PA
AFC Bournemouth secured a place in the Premier League next season after winning the Championship while QPR and Burnley are on the brink of relegation after losses. Watford also celebrated promotion to the top-tier after they finished second following a draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
Bayern Munich, fielding a second-string squad, lost 2-0 against Bayer Leverkusen before their showdown against Barcelona in the Champions League. Borussia Dortmund also suffered a setback after a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim, as their chances for a place in Europe look bleaker.
Under heartbreaking circumstances, Rio Ferdinand’s wife Rebecca Ellison passed away on Friday night after losing her battle against breast cancer. Rest In Peace Rebecca.
Tags: Barcelona Cordoba Real Madrid Scudetto Sevilla
