Brazil Win Resilient Chile On Penalties

Brazil edged over a resilient Chile team this evening in Belo Horizonte.

Brazil took the lead early on in the 18th minute from a set piece when David Luiz kicked home as Chile failed to clear the ball.
Chile then responded through Alexis Sanchez in the 32nd minute when he controlled a fine ball in the penalty area, and hit into the far left corner beyond Julio Cesar to draw level.

There were lots of chances in the game, notably from Neymar, but the youngster failed to make it count.

The game finally got to penalties were Brazil came out on top. with this result Brazil are through to the quarter finals where they will meet the winner of the fixture between Uruguay and Colombia on July 4.

LA LIGA TITLE BACK TO MADRID

Atletico Madrid have been crowned La Liga champions, as Diego Godin’s header ensured a 1-1 draw away to Barcelona.

Not since 1951 had the League title been decided on the final day of the season by two clubs facing each other. But that was exactly what would happen at Camp Nou, with Atleti knowing that a point would see them become champions for the first time in 18 years.

Despite what many thought would be a nervy occasion, the game started in a frantic fashion, with both teams playing a high intensity. It was though, the home team who had the first chance. A cross from Dani Alves found Andres Iniesta, but the Spain international’s first time effort went high over the bar.

At the other end, a clumsy foul from Pique ended in an Atleti free kick – but Gabi’s floated ball wasn’t accurate enough to force a save from Jose Pinto.

The hosts couldn’t settle into their usual possession-based style, with the Rojiblancos pressing and hassling at every turn. And when they did have the ball, the visitors were looking threatening. A neat pass from Koke found Arda Turan on the right-hand side, and his first time cross lingered dangerously in the area. Pique panicked and watched as his clearance looped over the head of the goalkeeper, but also the bar.

That initial momentum was punctuated somewhat on 15 minutes though, as Diego Costa pulled up in mid-spring, aggravating the hamstring injury which had plagued his build-up.  Adrian Lopez came on as a substitute, with the television camera fixated on the striker, in tears, on the bench.

The Vicente Calderon outfit couldn’t believe it, and things got even worse midway through the half, as another attacking threat pulled up with an injury. This time, it was Arda Turan who limped off the pitch, and Atleti knew if they were going to the League, it would be the hard way.

On the pitch, those injuries seemed to give Barca a lift, and they almost opened the scoring soon after. A cross from Alves found the head of Alexis, but Thibaut Courtois was equal to it and saved well.

The Belgium international couldn’t stop the effort from Alexis on 34 minutes though, as the Chilean forward netted the opener. A pass from Cesc Fabregas found Lionel Messi, who teed up the former Udinese man to fire a half-volley into the top right-hand corner.

Whatever Simeone said at half-time, it clearly worked, and their fast start eventually paid dividends on 50 minutes. A corner from the right was swung in by Koke, and up jumped Diego Godin to head in past Pinto.

The home side were seeing very little of the ball as Camp Nou was stunned into silence following that equaliser. But their roars could be heard in the capital when Messi netted from just four yards out. The cheers however, were short-lived as the linesman put his flag up for offside.

Martino’s men were pressing hard now for that League winning goal, but the away side were holding strong as a yellow wall kept out the Blaugrana with numerous last-ditch clearances.

But, amazingly, they did manage to hold out, as pandemonium ensued once the final whistle went, as Atletico Madrid got the point they needed to win their first title since 1996.

Villas-Boas On Barca Radar

Former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Andre Villas-Boas is the surprise name on the FC Barcelona short list of possible managers to take over from under-pressure boss Tata Martino at Camp Nou at the end of the season, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.

The Argentinian’s position at Barca is said to currently be in some doubt, despite the fine start to the season that the La Liga champions made under the one-time Paraguay and Newell’s Old Boys boss.

However, in recent weeks the La Liga giants have thrown away a huge eight-point lead over arch rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table, with now Carlo Ancelotti’s men leading the table in Spain.

And while Martino has also managed to guide the club into the Copa del Rey final and on the verge of a place in the last eight of the Uefa Champions League took, both the coach’s tactics and rotation policy have come under fire since the turn of the year.

Top 15 Summer Transfer Window Targets

Shinji Kagawa – Manchester United to Besiktas

The Japanese playmaker continues to struggle at Old Trafford and United will seek to move him on before he loses any more of his resale value. The Turks are said to be at the front of the queue.

Source: Manchester Evening News

Sami Khedira – Real Madrid to Chelsea

The German international has been tipped to replace veteran midfielder Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, even though he has spent the majority of the season on the sidelines through injury.

Source: talkSPORT

Stephan El Shawaary – AC Milan to Borussia Dortmund

The Germans have already began their search to replace Robert Lewandowski, who will be joining arch-rivals Bayern Munich over the summer. The Milan forward is a possible target and may be available after his dip in form this term.

Source: Goal.com

Ever Banega – Valencia to Manchester United

The Argentine international has been on David Moyes’ wish list ever since he was at Everton, and he may now decide to make a concrete offer for him at the end of the season as United seek more quality in midfield.

Source: Football Direct News

Nani – Manchester United to Juventus

The Portuguese winger has resigned himself to furthering his career elsewhere when this season is over, and despite tentative links to former club Sporting Lisbon, many see his future lying with the defending Serie A champions.

Source: Tuttosport (Italian)

Arturo Vidal – Juventus to Real Madrid

The Spaniards look set to pip Manchester United to the post for the signature of the Chilean international as he continues to impress in Serie A this season. Expect a big fee, though.

Source: BILD (German)

Mathieu Valbuena – Marseille to Liverpool

The diminutive winger has told the French giants that he wants to leave this summer, citing new challenges as his motivation. The Reds are looking too add options to their wide areas and could bring the International to Anfield for a cut price fee

Source: talkSPORT


Yuto Nagatomo – Inter Milan to Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs have struggled to fill the left-back slot over the past two seasons, but see the Japanese international as the ideal man to solve their problems.

Source: Goal.com

Miralem Pjanic – Roma to Manchester United

The Bosnian has caught the eye of several top clubs this season as he has been the catalyst of Roma’s charge for the Serie A title this season, and furthermore, he is apparently open to a switch.

Source: Football Direct News

Lucas Digne – PSG to Liverpool

The young full-back hasn’t played as much of a part this season as he would have liked, and is said to be growing disillusioned with life in the French capital. Liverpool are believed to be on hand to rescue him, though.

Source: talkSPORT

Roberto Soldado – Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid

Atletico are preparing to lose yet another high profile striker this summer with Diego Costa set to make an exit and they have targeted Soldado as his replacement, Spurs are believed to be ready to cut their losses.

Source: Metro

Sebastian Giovinco – Juventus to Liverpool

The Reds have been admirers of the tiny Italian playmaker for a long time and may finally be presented with a chance to land his signature as he spends another season struggling to establish himself in Turin.

Source: Football Direct News

Martin Skrtel – Liverpool to Manchester City

The Slovakian has emerged as a shock target for Manuel Pellegrini, but he is in need of some defensive numbers and he could do much worse than a proven Premier League battler such as Skrtel.

Source: Daily Mail

Nemanja Vidic – Manchester United to Inter Milan

The veteran Serb has already confirmed that he is leaving this summer, the only question is where. New Inter Milan president Erick Thorhir seems to think he’ll be heading to the San Siro.

Source: Goal.com

Raphael Varane – Real Madrid to Chelsea

The young centre-back has been earmarked as the eventual replacement for John Terry and is wanted to be paired next to Kurt Zouma so the pair can forge an understanding at both club and international levels

Source: Daily Express

Messi tops Raul In La Liga's Scorers Chart

Lionel Messi has surged past Real Madrid legend Raul into third in La Liga's top goalscorer charts, after scoring for Barcelona against Real Sociedad on Saturday.

His latest strike sees him move past Raul in the all-time standing of goalscorers, after matching the 36-year-old's tally of 228 last week.

The Argentine netted his 229th goal in the division at Anoeta, placing his shot beyond Claudio Bravo to cancel out the hosts' first-half advantage.

Messi now has Hugo Sanchez's tally of 234 goal in his sights, after his rich scoring form in February allowed him to rapidly scale the charts.

However, he will have to wait to gain entry into the exclusive group who have won at least 200 La Liga games in a Barcelona shirt, after the Catalans ultimately slumped to defeat at La Real.

That cohort currently consists of Victor Valdes, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Carles Puyol.

Revenge Well Served

The month of February has been arguably the most interesting month in the English football calender this season. It has produced some of the most shocking results so far this season. Its seen some records get broken.

Manchester United finally lost to Stoke City, breaking a record of over 20 years, Arsenal dropped after a shocking 5-1 defeat to Liverpool, Manchester City lost for the first time on home soil to Chelsea this season. Its the later two that catches the eye.

Prior to Liverpool's mauling of Arsenal, Wenger's team had one of the sturdiest defensive setup in the league, as the pair of Per Mertesacar and Laurient Koscielny had never lost a match in which they both started. But as shown on the day, even the best defenses sometimes could be torn apart by absolute brilliance, that was Liverpool on the day.

Same could be said about the game between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad. Prior to the game, the citizens had an impeccable record on home ground in all competitions, and also had a front line that averaged an amazing 3.5 goals per game. But in the end, we saw that same team lose to a Chelsea team that was tactically disciplined and erm... just unusually impressive against the citizens.

Well that wasn't the end of the February tale... There was still a chance for both teams to have vengeance.
It came in form of the FA cup 4th round ties. Manchester City had the chance to redeem themselves at the Etihad, and arsenal had a chance too at the Emirates.

Well you know the story. Manchester city dumped it all on chelsea, completing a 2-0 rout that saw them crush Chelsea in every aspect of the game. Arsenal also won Liverpool, although some parties would say a tad lucky on the day as a clear penalty was overlooked. But in the end, I'd say, its revenge well earned, and well served.

A Team Reborn

Carlo Ancelotti'sReal Madridhas reached a total of 100 goals quicker than any other 'Los Blancos' side in the past 54 years. In fact since a legend called Miguel Muñoz was the club's manager.

In what was Madrid's second game in a row without Cristiano Ronaldo, the team clearly demonstrated that the Portuguese star is not being missed anything like as much as had been expected.

What is more, without him, in fact, average league goals are slightly higher than when Ronaldo is in charge of getting the ball in the back of the net. Benzema, Modric, and, once again, Jesé Rodríguez, all registered to get the scoresheet up to 3-0.