Match Reports News Archives

Real Madrid celebrated their 31st Liga in style by thumping rivals Barcelona 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. This will have to go down as the most one-sided clasico since Ronaldinho destroyed Madrid’s defence in November 2005. How times have changed since then. Ronaldinho is only in the news now for his off the field antics, while Madrid have formed a solid compact unit that has won La Liga at a canter.

The Barcelona players suffered the shame of having to applaud their rivals onto the pitch, but by the end of the night this humiliation was nothing compared to what they experienced over 90 minutes. from the beginning Diarra, Sneijder and Gago ruled the midfield and even Leo Messi was kept completely out of the game as Barça’s midfield players struggled to connect with the forwards.

Read the rest of this entry »

This year’s playoff semi-finals for the Conference were as unexpected as they were exciting, and there wasn’t even a hint of a penalty shoot-out and Exeter City and Cambridge United make their respective preparations for Wembley in just under a fortnight’s time.

The games always looked too close to call with Torquay slight favourites to progress from one game but in indifferent form while Cambridge were assumed to be too strong for a mercurial Burton side who, on their day, have the run of any team in the Conference.

Read the rest of this entry »

Congratulations to Real Madrid for winning their 31st Spanish league title. It’s been a funny old season in Spain so perhaps it was appropriate that Madrid should come from behind and score twice in the last five minutes when they were down to ten men to win 1-2 at Osasuna. Villarreal are looking good for second place after a 2-0 victory over Getafe, while Barcelona who seem to be in a serious crisis surprised everyone by walloping Valencia 6-0. Some might be more surprised by the fact that Thierry Henry played well and scored twice!

Read the rest of this entry »

Three weeks ago, at the end of the 3-2 match lost to Juventus (Matchday 33) Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti had declared: “Our objective for the rest of the season, in order to qualify for Champions League, will be to win all of our next 5 matches“. With the important fixture vs. Inter in the Rossoneri’s calendar, this was much easier said than done… but what do you know? AC Milan might just have achieved their objective.

To quote Gazzetta, some people had already nicknamed this title ‘The Scudetto of Hardships’ (more or less a translation of Lo Scudetto della fatica), and that may be why Inter continue to make things harder for them. 2 years and 18 days since their last derby victory, AC Milan have reclaimed the “Derby della Madonnina” and made a key step towards Champions League qualification. Indeed with the concurrent loss of Fiorentina at Cagliari, the Rossoneri now find themselves in 4^th spot with a 1-point advantage over La Viola. In other words: their destiny is entirely in their own hands.

As for Inter well… it will take nothing short of a Roman miracle for the Nerazzurri to lose their grip on the Scudetto (on account of their head-to-head record with AS Roma, a win to Siena next week will effectively seal the deal for Roberto Mancini’s team), but today’s loss is certainly very sour. Is it a coincidence that when Filippo Inzaghi scores on Inter (today was the 4^th time it happened), Il Diavolo always ends up victorious?
.
Read the rest of this entry »

Manchester United, take a bow. Out gunned and out classed, but not beaten. 3 games more to go and how things swing from one direction to the other.

There really should be a full match report here, but you’ll have to wait for it tomorrow on Red Rants. I will touch upon a few key points and leave you guys to discuss the rest.

First - Moscow baby! United are through to their first final in 9 years, and while everyone (even Nani) deserves credit for their performance today, a few deserve it more than most.

Read the rest of this entry »

Real Madrid need just two points from their remaining four matches to seal their 31st La Liga title after comfortably beating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the Bernabeu on Sunday evening. Barcelona are in big danger of losing out on second place to Villarreal. The Catalans obviously had their minds on Tuesday’s return match with Manchester United and were easily beaten by Deportivo, while Villarreal won at Betis to move four points above Barça. At the bottom of the table Levante became the first team to be mathematically relegated after losing to Recreativo.

Read the rest of this entry »

The stench of defeat is unbearable, as is the joyous celebration of the the non-Man Utd football family. We love to build up teams and then knock them down, and as far as the mob is concerned it’s time for United to be knocked down.

Since yesterday a lot has been said (hardly in praise of United, hardly in criticism of Chelsea) about what happened (during and after the game) at Stamford Bridge. Personally I would have preferred a repeat of last year in terms of team selection - send out the reserve squad and give your first-teamers a day off. Throw the fucking game and focus on winning the league on goal difference and having your players fresh for Barcelona.

Read the rest of this entry »

This is the moment North American soccer fans have been waiting for; the CONCACAF Champions Cup Final is here. However, with more exciting MLS action coming up this weekend, Americans are spoiled for choice as we creep closer to summer.

Read the rest of this entry »

If there was any doubt that Real Madrid are going to win their 31st La Liga title, it was dispelled after their 0-2 victory over Racing Santander. With a ten point advantage over closest rivals Villarreal, Madrid now need just five points from their remaining five games and they will now be hoping to clinch the title before the home game against arch enemies Barcelona on May 7 which will mean the Catalans will face the embarrassment of having to applaud their rivals onto the pitch.

Read the rest of this entry »

There was a sense of history in the air at Wembley this weekend. Not history being made, but the history of the two clubs taking to the field. In the pink and chocolate shirts, Corinthian-Casuals: a club that plays strictly to the amateur code and the inspiration behind one of Brazil’s most famous names. In the blue and yellow, AFC Wimbledon: a relative newcomer in the literal sense to the football pyramid, but one with plenty of history and memories in their previous incarnation.

The occasion was a celebration of Corinthians 125th anniversary, although by happy coincidence, it also falls on the 20th anniversary of one of the greatest FA Cup upsets of all time: Wimbledon’s victory over Liverpool. You couldn’t get a more fitting venue than the home of English football.

Read the rest of this entry »

In the past couple of days:

•The Mexican league continued its commanding dominance in the Champions Cup – the most finalists in the history of the competition with thirty-two, twenty-three of which have won.

•Costa Rica has also had a good record – in second place with ten finalists, six of which were also winners.

•The Revolution win their second match of the season.

•The Galaxy take on three new players.

•A new MLS club starts to forge their identity.

Read the rest of this entry »

Luca Toni saved Bayern Munich’s blushes against courageous 10-man Getafe here Thursday with a late extra time double to put the German giants into the UEFA Cup semi-finals on away goals.

The high achieving Spaniards, who were down a man after just six minutes, produced another heroic performance after eking out a crucial 1-1 draw in the first leg of this quarter-final in Munich last week.

But despite going 3-1 up on the night in the opening minutes of extra time Italian World Cup winner Toni’s double left the aggregate score at 4-4 with the Germans going through on away goals.

They now face Zenit St Petersburg in the last four.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rangers stunned Sporting Lisbon in Portugal on Thursday with a 2-0 victory to book their place in the UEFA Cup semi finals.

French striker Jean-Claude Darcheville had put the Scottish side ahead against the run of play in the 60th minute and in injury time substitute Steven Whittaker scored a brilliant second to clinch the historic victory.

Rangers have never reached this stage in the competition before but their success came at a price.

Read the rest of this entry »

Zenit St Petersburg reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals on Thursday despite drawing a blank in their quarter-final return, a 1-0 reverse to German side Bayer Leverkusen.The result gave the Russians a 4-2 aggregate win after their surprise stroll in Germany, rendering academic the only goal scored by Leverkusen’s Russian star Dimitri Bulykin on 18 minutes.

Leverkusen keeper Rene Adler saved a late spotkick from the hosts’ Anatoli Timostschuk to give the Germans the win on the night but it was not enough to make up for their home hammering as Dutch coach Dick Advocaat steered Zenit through.

The Russians will next meet Bayern Munich for a place in the final.

Read the rest of this entry »

A superb goal in each half from Adrian Mutu ensured ACF Fiorentina progressed to the UEFA Cup semi-finals while recording their 50th victory in European competition at PSV Eindhoven.

With the Serie A side having to score to stay in the tournament after a 1-1 first-leg draw, they started in an adventurous 4-3-3 formation. This duly paid dividends when Mutu hammered in an unstoppable long-range free-kick seven minutes before half-time.

Eight minutes into the second half the Romanian international registered his sixth goal of this UEFA Cup campaign to end any lingering hopes PSV had of mounting a comeback. Sébastien Frey saving Timmy Simons’ penalty on 80 minutes summed up what was a frustrating night for Sef Vergoossen’s men.

A controlled performance at Stadio Olimpico and another European class act at Old Trafford secured passage to the Champions League semi-finals for Manchester United for a second year in a row. Roma go home humbled (and tired of playing United) but while they actually showed up this time around at Old Trafford, so did United’s injury-struck squad.

Read the rest of this entry »

Two below-par performances, two 1-0 wins and Barcelona are through to the Champions League semi-finals in the most unconvincing fashion.

Not to begrudge them their victories - they took their chances (few as they were) and Schalke made a hash of the many that fell their way. And there’s still time for Barcelona to improve before they take on English champions Manchester United in the semi-finals in 2 weeks.

You can get the full match report here (whenever Nic Aldam puts it up), and the semi-final previews should be up next week.

Read the rest of this entry »

The climax to this game was dramatic, equal parts glorious and sickening, and ultimately, a split between euphoria and despondent tears.

Well, that’s what you get for following both sides of the game.

Liverpool go through the Champions League semi-finals AGAIN, setting up a semi-final clash with Chelsea (AGAIN), while Arsenal will now have to contend with the improvements they’ve made this season as opposed to any realistic chance of silverware.

Read the rest of this entry »

Chelsea scored twice and kept a clean sheet to beat Fenerbahce 3-2 on aggregate and progress to the semi-finals of the 07/08 Champions League and a rematch with Liverpool.

A better performance by Chelsea this time although they lost Cudicini to injury and Essien picked up a booking that will keep him out of the first semi-final leg at Anfield.

It’ll surely be interesting to see how Grant’s Chelsea handle Rafa’s Liverpool in the Champions League. The fans might not have that much confidence in him but if there was ever a test he could pass to prove his credentials, it’s Benitez, Liverpool and a Champions League semi-final.

Catch the 2nd leg video highlights here.

Read the rest of this entry »

The top three all failed to win this week but Real Madrid who played badly will be the happiest with their 1-1 draw at Mallorca which leaves them seven points clear with seven games to go. Barcelona played better than in recent weeks but will be most disappointed with their 0-0 draw at home to Getafe, especially after hitting the post three times. Villarreal stay in second place on head-to-head goal difference despite losing 2-0 at Sevilla.

Read the rest of this entry »

Major League Soccer’s second week kicked off on Thursday, with two matches, and finished with five more at the weekend. Also, CONCACAF Champions Cup semi final action took place in Pachuca, Mexico, and Houston, Texas.

Read the rest of this entry »

Blackburn Rovers’ hopes of UEFA Cup football next season took a hit when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham.

Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov gave Tottenham, who have already made sure of a return to Europe by winning the League Cup, a sixth-minute lead before Morten Gamst Pedersen levelled for Blackburn on the half-hour mark.

England goalkeeper Paul Robinson was left out by Tottenham after being troubled by an ankle injury and his replacement Radek Cerny was soon in difficulties when he fluffed a clearance.

But Spurs were soon in front.

Steed Malbranque passed for Jermaine Jenas who found Berbatov in space and the Bulgarian coolly slotted in his 22nd goal of the season.

At the other end of the pitch, Pedersen had a shot saved by Cerny before England winger David Bentley created an equaliser for the Blackburn star.

Bentley breezed past Pascal Chimbonda before pulling the ball back for Pedersen to finish past Brad Friedel.

Bentley and his England international counterpart Aaron Lennon both shone in an end-to-end game but neither side was able to find the killer touch with the result leaving Rovers in eighth place and Tottenham in 11th.

Blackburn can still improve on this season, with Portsmouth facing a tough run of fixtures with an away game to West Ham on Tuesday and then home next weekend to a resurgent Newcastle United. Tottenham on the other hand have more to worry from Newcastle United overtaking them than of them going on to overtake West Ham.

Sunderland effectively ensured they will be playing Premier League football again next season with an impressive 3-1 win at Fulham, who will now need a most unlikely turnaround in their form and fortunes to avoid relegation.

Sunderland (13th) are now 10 points clear of Bolton (18th) and with 5 games to go, it’s hard to see Sunderland fall behind either Bolton or Fulham (19th and 12 points behind).

Read the rest of this entry »

Before this game (and indeed, before any away game Manchester United have played in the last couple of seasons) the media trotted out figures to suggest that United were abysmal away in Europe - and few United fans would have argued against it after 4 away defeats last season (Celtic, Copenhagen, Roma and Milan) in the Champions League.

Read the rest of this entry »

This was a week of surprises for the MLS. Opening weekend, officially known as MLS First Kick 2008, was riddled with surprise results and courageous showings by supposedly inferior sides.

Read the rest of this entry »

People said this season that the Premier League had a ‘Big 3′, not a Big 4′, what with Liverpool’s inconsistent performances in the domestic league. Much of that was banter, but if there was any genuine doubt it should have been cleared today with Liverpool’s win over Everton.

Read the rest of this entry »

Newcastle came back from a goal down to beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane four goals to one. Both team started with 3 strikers up front but it was Newcastle who made it count in the end, taking their chances and surging to a comfortable win.

The result leaves Newcastle only 4 points behind Tottenham in 12th place and a comfortable 9 points ahead of the relegation zone. If Newcastle can keep up this little run, they’ll have some cause for optimism although any such optimism needs to be tempered with the hard reality of the mountain of work needed to turn things around at St James Park.

Tottenham? Well, they’ve qualified for Europe through the League Cup and they seem to have given up in the league this season, and like that Birmingham City game, they’ve lost another game that they should have won, at least on paper. Ramos will not be happy with these inexplicable spineless performances - it’s days like these that cost Tottenham a Champions League spot two years straight and Jol his job.

But what a game

Recently, there has been some criticism on the site about the state of soccer in the United States. However, I feel that this is not true, and because of that, I have decided to refute these claims based on the just finished 3-0 win in Poland.

Read the rest of this entry »

France 1-0 England
Wednesday 26 March 2008, Stade de France

Despite injuries to several influential players, France were the more assured side and won the game 1-0 without much trouble. The goal came courtesy of a Ribery penalty after Anelka had been felled by James in the box. England created little, and lost possession too easily.

Of course, I’m just quoting what I read last night and this morning, since they only showed Portugal-Greece on TV here (the idiots). Beckham got his 100th cap, Terry got injured, Owen got his cap, Downing got a chance as well. Other than that, hopefully Capello learned something from this tie that will help him improve England. I was depressed when I first heard the result, but without seeing England perform you can’t honestly give up on them, can you?

Better luck against the US (May) and the Czech (August), both to be played at Wembley.

Read the rest of this entry »

Spain 1-0 Italy
Wednesday 26 March 2008, Elche, Spain

David Villa’s 78th minute strike helped Spain to a friendly win over Italy.

Full match report and video highlights here.
.
Read the rest of this entry »