Egypt partners with Google to promote 'unmatched diversity' tourism campaign    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Taiwan GDP surges on tech demand    World Bank: Global commodity prices to fall 17% by '26    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    UNFPA Egypt, Bayer sign agreement to promote reproductive health    Egypt to boost marine protection with new tech partnership    France's harmonised inflation eases slightly in April    Eygpt's El-Sherbiny directs new cities to brace for adverse weather    CBE governor meets Beijing delegation to discuss economic, financial cooperation    Egypt's investment authority GAFI hosts forum with China to link business, innovation leaders    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's Gypto Pharma, US Dawa Pharmaceuticals sign strategic alliance    Egypt's Foreign Minister calls new Somali counterpart, reaffirms support    "5,000 Years of Civilizational Dialogue" theme for Korea-Egypt 30th anniversary event    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Angola's Lourenço discuss ties, African security in Cairo talks    Egypt's Al-Mashat urges lower borrowing costs, more debt swaps at UN forum    Two new recycling projects launched in Egypt with EGP 1.7bn investment    Egypt's ambassador to Palestine congratulates Al-Sheikh on new senior state role    Egypt pleads before ICJ over Israel's obligations in occupied Palestine    Sudan conflict, bilateral ties dominate talks between Al-Sisi, Al-Burhan in Cairo    Cairo's Madinaty and Katameya Dunes Golf Courses set to host 2025 Pan Arab Golf Championship from May 7-10    Egypt's Ministry of Health launches trachoma elimination campaign in 7 governorates    EHA explores strategic partnership with Türkiye's Modest Group    Between Women Filmmakers' Caravan opens 5th round of Film Consultancy Programme for Arab filmmakers    Fourth Cairo Photo Week set for May, expanding across 14 Downtown locations    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Ancient military commander's tomb unearthed in Ismailia    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM praises ties with Tanzania    Egypt to host global celebration for Grand Egyptian Museum opening on July 3    Ancient Egyptian royal tomb unearthed in Sohag    Egypt hosts World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup in Somabay for 3rd consecutive year    Egyptian Minister praises Nile Basin consultations, voices GERD concerns    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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



Messi strikes late to rescue nervous Barcelona
Lionel Messi rescued a nervy Barcelona with a late goal to earn a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in a thrilling La Liga match on Sunday
Published in Ahram Online on 21 - 02 - 2011

The World Player of the Year dinked in the winner in the 77th minute as Barca desperately poured forward after Andoni Iraola had cancelled out David Villa's early opener with a 49th-minute penalty.
Barca moved on to 65 points from 24 matches, keeping Real Madrid five points back in second after Jose Mourinho's outfit eased to a 2-0 victory over Levante on Saturday.
In other games, fourth-placed Villarreal's faltering form continued when they were held 1-1 at home by basement side Malaga, and Osasuna's new coach Jose Luis Mendilibar led his team to a stunning 4-0 win over sixth-placed Espanyol.
The goal of the day came from Deportivo Coruna goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia, who headed a last-ditch equaliser for a 1-1 draw at Almeria.
Barca's 16-match winning streak in the league ended with a 1-1 draw at Sporting last weekend and a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday suggested the Spanish champions were suffering a dip in form.
CUSHIONED VOLLEY
Those doubts appeared misplaced when Xavi's diagonal pass over the defence found the overlapping Dani Alves who cushioned a volley inside for Villa to fire first time into the corner after only four minutes.
For all their domination, however, they could not find a second and when Sergio Busquets brought down Fernando Llorente for a penalty, Iraola's spot kick clearly rattled the hosts.
Harried and hustled, Barca threw caution to the wind and just when it looked like the visitors were going to deny them Xavi picked out another Alves run and he crossed low for Messi to score.
Villarreal missed the chance to move above third-placed Valencia, who had drawn 0-0 with Sporting Gijon on Saturday, when they drew at the Madrigal.
Marco Ruben gave the hosts the lead in the 35th minute, bundling in from close range after good work from Giuseppe Rossi, but Sebastian Fernandez levelled on a counter-attack for Malaga eight minutes from time.
A third consecutive game without a win left Villarreal on 46 points, two behind Valencia.


Clic here to read the story from its source.