US economy contracts in Q1 '25    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    EGP closes high vs. USD on Wednesday    Germany's regional inflation ticks up in April    Taiwan GDP surges on tech demand    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    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.



Neymar scores in his first clasico as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1
Barcelona down Real Madrid 2-1 in Saturday's Spanish La Liga clash at the Nou Camp to go six points clear of their arch rivals at the top of La Liga table
Published in Ahram Online on 26 - 10 - 2013

Neymar stole the show from Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale when his first-half strike set Barcelona on the way to a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in Saturday's La Liga 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp.
In a match watched by hundreds of millions around the world, Barca landed an early blow in the title race thanks to Neymar's clinical 19th-minute finish and a sublime chip from substitute Alexis Sanchez 11 minutes from time in the 167th league meeting between the world's two richest clubs by income.
Jese came off the bench to pull a goal back in the first minute of added time but it was little more than a consolation for Real, who were outplayed for long periods and slip six points behind the champions with 10 matches played.
After a predictably cagey opening with few chances, Neymar opened the scoring when he collected the ball from Andres Iniesta on the left of the penalty area.
Cutting inside on to his right foot, he fired off a low shot which took a slight deflection off Real fullback Dani Carvajal before zipping past goalkeeper Diego Lopez into the far corner of the net.
Real battled hard in the second half and Karim Benzema, who replaced Real's ineffective world record signing Bale on the hour, smashed a shot against the bar before Alexis scored with an exquisite chip over Lopez from just outside the area.
"These are the kind of games when everyone really suffers but I am just happy for the team and for the three points," Alexis said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.
"I don't think this win will be decisive," added the Chilean. "There is a long way to go and the championship is not over by any means."
Unbeaten Barca's victory, their ninth in the league this season, puts them on 28 points ahead of third-placed Real at the top of the standings.
Second-placed Atletico Madrid are four points behind Barca before their game at home to Real Betis on Sunday.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for a starting formation that looked to be designed specifically to thwart Argentine World Player of the Year Messi, with captain Sergio Ramos, who normally plays at centre back, operating just in front of central defenders Pepe and Raphael Varane.
Up front, Bale started in the middle, with Ronaldo on the left and Angel Di Maria on the right.
Ancelotti's Barca counterpart Gerardo Martino deployed Neymar on the left wing and Cesc Fabregas in a forward roving role with Messi in his customary deep-lying position through the middle.
Huge mosaic
As they belted out the team's anthem before kickoff, the Barca fans transformed the giant arena into a huge mosaic in the club colours with a message of support - Forca Tito! - for their ailing former coach Tito Vilanova who is battling cancer.
On the pitch Barca should have been 2-0 ahead two minutes after Neymar's opener when Iniesta sent Messi clear but he placed his shot wide of the post when one-on-one with Lopez.
The Real players were furious with the referee shortly before the break when he waved away their appeals for a penalty after the ball appeared to brush Adriano's arm in the area.
Real looked more dangerous in the second half and Ronaldo drew a fine save from Victor Valdes with a fierce strike in the 58th minute before they had another penalty appeal rejected when there was contact between the Portuguese winger and Javier Mascherano in the Barca area.
Jese's goal came too late for Real to stage a comeback and Ancelotti and his team must now regroup before Wednesday's game at home to Sevilla.
"There are some things you cannot fight against," Ramos told Canal Plus. "There was a clear penalty for handball in the first half and then the incident with Ronaldo in the second.
"But I think that all Madrid fans should be proud of the team as we battled until the last minute. It's been a long time since we saw Barca under pressure at the end and running the clock down like that," added the Spain international.
Malaga's poor form continued when lost 5-0 at home to Celta Vigo, the Qatar-owned club's third straight defeat. Bernd Schuster's side are 15th, level on nine points with Celta who are one place higher.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/84811.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.