Saudi Arabia welcomes trilateral border treaty between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan    Trump prepares to unveil sweeping new US tariffs on 'Liberation Day'    At least 22 civilians killed in Israeli strike on UNRWA clinic in Gaza    UK says it won't jump into US trade war as Starmer urges calm response to tariffs    Russia, Ukraine trade fresh accusations of violating US-brokered energy ceasefire deal    Swedish table tennis legend Jörgen Persson appointed head coach of Saudi national team    Danilo Pereira fires Al Ittihad into King's Cup final with dramatic stoppage-time double    Over 1 million pilgrims benefit from golf cart service at Grand Mosque during Ramadan    Visitors welcomed with Eid initiative at Thee Ain Heritage Village in Al-Baha    Tebuk emir reviews rain response in Tayma    Saudi Arabia considers rent cap as part of major real estate reforms    Messi's bodyguard banned from touchline at Inter Miami games    Screen time in bed linked to insomnia, study finds    Haramain High-Speed Railway transports over 1.2 million passengers during Ramadan    Saudi Transport Authority says passengers can ride for free if taxi meters are off    Ministry of Education forms 425 community partnerships with SR653 million impact    Mexico bans junk food in schools to fight childhood obesity epidemic    Sweet sales surge ahead of Eid as Saudi chocolate imports top 123 million kg in 2024    Saudi creatives shine at Jeddah's Fawanees Nights with art, fashion, and storytelling    T1 CEO confirms Gumayusi's return for LCK Spring after lineup shakeup    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Double delight for Messi
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 17 - 04 - 2017

Lionel Messi's double strike helped Barcelona scrape a 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad Saturday to keep the pressure on La Liga leader Real Madrid, which needed a brace from Isco to beat Sporting Gijon by the same scoreline.
A much-changed Madrid side snatched victory at El Molinon thanks to Isco's two goals, which included a 90th-minute winner, to stretch their lead over Barcelona before the Catalans closed the gap back down to three points at the Nou Camp.
Messi scored twice and set up a third for Paco Alcacer as Barcelona saw off its Basque opponents, who pressed them until the end of a nervy encounter.
The win, however, kept the Catalans within touching distance of Los Blancos, having played one match more, ahead of next Sunday's Clasico.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was relieved to put a difficult week behind him, after last weekend's 2-0 loss to Malaga and Tuesday's bruising 3-0 reverse against Juventus in the Champions League.
Despite their recent jitters, he is confident that his side can do well in the reverse leg against the Italians and against Madrid in next weekend's crucial title showdown if they perform to their very best.
"We have to be marvelous and perfect," he said. "The players need confidence to be at their best and that's what I'm trying to do as the coach.
"It was a special week because of what happened before (defeats by Malaga and Juventus). We won a game against a difficult opponent. I'm more than happy with the performance. We deserved to win even though it was tricky."
Messi put Barcelona ahead with a low drive and doubled the lead with a tap-in after Luis Suarez's shot was saved, but Sociedad hit back when Inigo Martinez's lashed effort bounced off Samuel Umtiti into the Barcelona net.
Alcacer extended the Catalans' advantage before Xabi Prieto reduced the deficit to 3-2 just before halftime, while the second half stayed goalless despite intense pressure from the visitors.
Atletico Madrid missed two late penalties but still thrashed bottom of the table Osasuna 3-0 at home with a brace from Yannick Carrasco to stay third in the table.
In the battle to avoid the drop, Deportivo La Coruna beat Malaga 2-0 to move nine points clear of the relegation zone, with Sporting Gijon still 18th, on 22 points.
Kompany scores
Vincent Kompany's first goal in 20 injury-ravaged months helped Manchester City to a 3-0 win at Southampton Saturday, lifting the team to third in the Premier League.
Kompany marked his latest return to the City defense by heading a 55th-minute opener before Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero also contributed goals.
"It's always a long journey back," Kompany told BT Sport television.
City wrapped up the win with two goals in three minutes.
David Silva sent Kevin De Bruyne through and the midfielder squared for Sane to sweep past Forster for his ninth goal of the season in the 77th minute. Then De Bruyne chipped the ball into the Southampton six-yard box where Aguero headed in at the far post as City eased to a second successive win.
The 2012 and 2014 champion is looking to lock down a return to the Champions League and Pep Guardiola's side moved a point ahead of Liverpool, which occupies the fourth qualification spot. Everton and Manchester United are six points further back. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.