Published
9/28/2011 6:06:02 PM
by
Roberto Garcia
from
soccermogul
It was nothing more than a stroll in the park for defending champions Barcelona on Wednesday as they blasted an overmatched BATE Borislov squad 5-0. The match really wasn't even as close as the score indicates as Borislov didn't manage a single shot for the 90 minutes.
As expected Belarusian side BATE found themselves under constant pressure from the off, with Thiago firing a shot straight at keeper Aleksandr Gutor before Lionel Messi fizzed a free-kick inches wide of the right-hand post.
Lionel Messi was his typical influential self as he notched a pair of goals on the night. Pep Guardiola's side were 3-0 to the good at half-time thanks to an own goal from Aliaksandr Volodko and further strikes from Pedro Rodriguez and Messi. The Argentina international grabbed the fourth goal early in the second half with an assured left-footed finish to move level with Ladislau Kubala's total of 194, before David Villa rounded things off as the visitors made light of the sodden conditions.
The Group is going according to plan as Barcelona and AC Milan are atop with 4 points each while Borislov and Viktoria Plzen are on a single point. Elsewhere in Champions League play, Chelsea suffered to a late penalty at Valencia as the two teams played to a 1-1 draw. Arsenal rode a pair of early goals at The Emirates to defeat Olympiakos 2-1.
Published
4/27/2012
by
Roberto Garcia
from
soccermogul
A terrible end to a terrible run for Barcelona as their coach Pep Guardiola is stepping down citing a need to rest.
Published
4/25/2012
by
Shane Barrow
from
soccermogul
Bayern Munich became the first team to advance to a Champions League final it is hosting, beating Real Madrid 3-1 on penalty kicks Wednesday night.
Published
4/24/2012
by
William Montero
from
soccermogul
A stunning rally and a stunning result on Tuesday as Chelsea went to Spain lost John Terry to a red card and rallied to eliminate Barcelona.
Published
4/21/2012
by
William Montero
from
soccermogul
Cristiano Ronaldo finally got a word in his rivalry with Lionel Messi as he scored the winner in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Barcelona.
Published
4/18/2012
by
Roberto Garcia
from
soccermogul
Chelsea struck on a late first half counter and held on to beat Barcelona 1-0 in the opening leg of the Champions League semifinals.