Crown Prince attends Saudi Cup horse race in Riyadh    Bergwijn, Benzema lead Al-Ittihad to dominant 4-1 Clasico win over Al-Hilal    Saudi U-20 team secures spot in 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with last-minute winner over China    Saudi Media Forum concludes with key industry partnerships and award recognitions    Hamas hands over six Israeli captives in latest prisoner exchange    US and Ukraine near deal granting US mineral rights in exchange for military aid    Israeli forensic institute confirms remains of hostage Shiri Bibas    Australia presses China for answers over reported live-fire exercises near its coast    PIF seeks to expand US investments despite restrictions, says governor Al-Rumayyan Saudi sovereign fund launched 103 companies across 13 sectors, aims to attract more foreign talent to Saudi Arabia    Saudi minister holds high-level talks at FII Miami to boost AI, tech, and space partnerships    Al-Ettifaq stuns Al-Nassr with late winner as Ronaldo protests refereeing decisions    King Salman: Our nation's path has remained steadfast since its founding    Imam Mohammed bin Saud: The founder of the First Saudi State and architect of stability    King Abdul Aziz: Founder of the Third Saudi State and leader of modern Saudi Arabia    'Neighbors' canceled again, two years after revival    Al-Tuwaijri: Not a single day has passed in Saudi Arabia in 9 years without an achievement Media professionals urged to innovate in disseminating Kingdom's story to the world    Proper diet and healthy eating key to enjoying Ramadan fast    Saudi Media Forum panel highlights Kingdom's vision beyond 2034 World Cup    AlUla Arts Festival 2025 wraps up with a vibrant closing weekend    'Real life Squid Game': Kim Sae-ron's death exposes Korea's celebrity culture    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    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.



Sanchez double puts Barca in control
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 16 - 02 - 2012


Lyon also makes winning start in knockout phase
LONDON — However much Bayer Leverkusen frustrated Barcelona, stifling Lionel Messi proved impossible for 90 minutes.
Another inspirational display from the tireless Argentina forward, including a 38th goal of the season, put the holders on the verge of the Champions League quarterfinals following a 3-1 away victory in the first leg Tuesday.
Breaking down a stubborn Leverkusen side in the round-of-16 match was the perfect riposte amid domestic troubles that have resulted in Barcelona falling 10 points behind Real Madrid in Spanish league.
“When you play against the German teams you don't have the control or possession a lot and they are physically stronger,” Barca coach Pep Guardiola said. “In the second half, we played a game that was not too interesting for us but we scored three goals and we will try to finish it in the second leg at home.”
The only other match was equally tight, with Alexandre Lacazette's goal giving Lyon a slight edge against APOEL Nicosia.
Another four teams are in action on Wednesday, when AC Milan hosts Arsenal and Zenit St. Petersburg takes on Benfica.
Few, though, would bet against Barcelona reaching another final. When Messi began to exert more influence, the team soon found its breakthrough in the 41st minute.
After spotting a rare gap in the Leverkusen midfield, Messi slipped the ball through to Sanchez, who slotted a shot past goalkeeper Bernd Leno and inside the left post.
Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec equalized at the start of the second half by heading in Vedran Corluka's cross, but Barcelona was back in front three minutes later.
It was Sanchez again who scored, after Cesc Fabregas initially sliced open the defense. After evading Leverkusen defender Manuel Friedrich, Sanchez rounded Leno before finishing from a tight angle.
Messi was beginning to cause the host more trouble with his menacing, weaving runs — and he gave his team a crucial third away goal in the 88th.
Naturally, he started the move. After setting Dani Alves free on the right, Messi darted into the penalty area to direct a pinpoint return from the Brazilian into the net.
Even Leverkusen thinks there is no way back at the Camp Nou on March 7.
“I think the tie is finished to be honest,” Corluka said.
Besiktas beats Braga
Braga's hopes of contesting a second successive Europa League final were hit Tuesday when Besiktas won the first leg of their round of 32 meeting.
Tomas Sivok's header and Simao's strike gave Besiktas a 2-0 win in Portugal after Braga had Helder Barbosa sent off in the 29th minute for a second bookable offense.
Also Tuesday, David Fuster gave Olympiakos a 1-0 victory at Rubin Kazan with a 71st-minute goal.
The Russian side looked set to equalize two minutes later when goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri was sent off for a foul on Gokdeniz Karadeniz.


Clic here to read the story from its source.