Raphinha strikes again as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0 - GulfToday

Raphinha strikes again as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0

  • 24 Jul 2022
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Barcelona’s Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

Raphinha made it two goals in two matches as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 1-0 on Saturday in their Las Vegas Clasico.

Raphinha, signed from Premier League Leeds United earlier this month for around $60 million, followed up his debut in a 6-0 thrashing of Inter Miami with the lone goal of the high-profile clash at Allegiant Stadium, the $1.97 billion, 65,000-seat home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.

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The Brazilian was perfectly placed to intercept an ill-advised pass from Real's Eder Militao along the top of the area. After one touch to settle he lashed a left-footed shot over Thibaut Courtois into the top right corner of the net to put Barcelona up 1-0 in the 27th minute

The fourth edition of the Clasico to be played outside of Spain — the second ever held in the United States — featured all the intensity of the long rivalry.

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Barcelona’s Raphinha chases Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger for the ball at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. AFP

Real Madrid, playing their first pre-season friendly, nearly opened the scoring in the 18th minute but Federico Valverde was denied by the post in the 18th minute, seizing the ball after a poor clearance by Jordi Alba and blasting a volley from 25 yards out that beat Marc-Andre Ter Stegen only for the upright to intervene.

Two minutes later it was Barcelona who saw a chance get away when Eduardo Camavinga lost possession to Pedri in front of Real's goal. Pedri found Fati, who pulled Real keeper Thibaut Courtois off his line but put his shot just wide of the far post.

Overall it was Barcelona — energised by the debut of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski after his move from Bayern Munich — who controlled the tempo in the first half against the reigning Champions League and La Liga title holders.

The first half ended on a testy note after Jordi Alba's sliding tackle on Militao that earned a yellow card.

Some jawing and shoving escalated, with players having to step in and separate Madrid newcomer Antonio Rudiger and Barcelona's Ronald Araujo.

Lewandowski's night ended without a goal as he was departed at the half, replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as part of a raft of changes at the midpoint.

Agence France-Presse

 

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Toni Kroos admits Real Madrid’s players feel frustrated they have not used the inconsistency of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to establish a hefty lead in La Liga.

Barca have already lost three games out of 11 this season while Atletico have managed only five wins from 12, with Real Sociedad sitting third after a surprisingly strong start.

But Real have not taken advantage. They missed out on the chance to go top last weekend by drawing at home to Real Betis, just after Barcelona were beaten by Levante and Atletico drew against Sevilla.

Zinedine Zidane’s side got back on track with an emphatic 6-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, a morale-boosting win ahead of Saturday’s visit to Eibar in La Liga.

“The last few games have been better,” Kroos said. “More and more players are coming into form which is good because at the start of the season only a few players were in form which made it difficult.

“To be honest my feeling in the league is that we should be a few points clear by now. But we aren’t and we have to keep fighting for that first place.

“You have to be frustrated because we have missed out but we are using that as motivation because we are still in contention. We can’t change anything, we have to concentrate on our game.

“We will focus on the others when we play them but we know when they lose points, it gives us a chance and we have to take our chance. We have to get some points ahead.”

Madrid’s thrashing of Galatasaray means they are virtually qualified from Group A and the victory also launched 18-year-old Rodrygo onto the international stage, after the Brazilian scored a hat-trick.

He is the second youngest player to hit a hat-trick in Champions League history behind Madrid’s former striker Raul while his first two goals came before the seventh minute, making his the fastest brace ever in the competition.

Rodrygo joined Madrid from Santos last summer in a 45-million euro deal and has been given his chance on the right of the front three, in the absence of the injured Gareth Bale.

“It’s impressive and I’m happy for him,” Kroos said. “It’s not just about the goals, he helps us in lots of ways. He works very hard on the flanks and he doesn’t lose the ball.

“He is very mature for his age, not only in his game but off the pitch as well. I have no doubt these three goals will not change anything about his character.”

Kroos has found a new midfield partner too in recent weeks in Fede Valverde, the 21-year-old Uruguayan who has established himself ahead of Luka Modric in the starting line-up.

“He is amazing,” Kroos said. “I really love this player. To come here is not easy and to play like he is at this age means he has a lot of quality. I’m sure he has a great future here for many years to come.”

After Madrid face Eibar at Ipurua, Barcelona play at home to struggling Celta Vigo, who appointed Oscar Garcia coach on Wednesday after Fran Escriba was sacked earlier this week.

Celta will be hoping to lift the mood, and Barca too, after they followed up their defeat by Levante with a goalless draw against Slavia Prague in front of a restless Camp Nou.

“We know that we need to give more, especially when we play at home,” said Frenkie de Jong. “I can understand that when we’re not winning at home, it’s normal that people criticise. We’re not running away from that, we know that we have a lot to improve.”

Atletico are also looking for a change in momentum as they host Espanyol on the back of three games without a win. “The first person responsible is me,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone, after Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Agence France-Presse





Spanish League fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday: Alaves vs Real Valladolid (1200), Valencia vs Granada (1500), Eibar vs Real Madrid (1730), Barcelona vs Celta Vigo (2000)

Sunday: Mallorca vs Villarreal (1200), Athletic Bilbao vs Levante (1400), Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol (1500), Getafe vs Osasuna (1730), Real Betis vs Sevilla (2000)

08 Nov 2019

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