Bale-less Real seal thriller 3-2
25 Dec 2013 5:28 AM IST
Barcelona were also victors on Sunday as an eight-minute hat-trick from Pedro Rodriguez helped them come from 2-0 down to win 5-2 away at Getafe.
Bale’s replacement Angel di Maria put Madrid in front with a fine left-footed drive on 28 minutes, but Pablo Piatti headed home an equaliser for the hosts six minutes later.
Cristiano Ronaldo then headed home Di Maria’s free-kick put Madrid back in front five minutes before half-time, only for Valencia to level once more when Jeremy Mathieu met Dani Parejo’s corner.
However, Madrid were not to be denied as substitute Jese Rodriguez grabbed the winner with a low drive that beat Vicente Guaita at his near post 10 minutes from time.
With Bale sidelined for a second consecutive game by a calf injury, Di Maria had another chance to impress and made his presence felt in style as he controlled Marcelo’s cross-field pass before firing past Guaita into the far corner.
Valencia, buoyed by the news earlier in the day that Singaporean businessman Peter Lim may be on the verge of taking over the club, responded almost immediately as the diminutive Piatti found space inside the area to head home Juan Bernat’s cross.
Madrid were back in front six minutes later in somewhat controversial circumstances as Ronaldo’s goal was allowed to stand despite the Portuguese appearing to be slightly offside as Di Maria delivered a free-kick from wide on the right.
The hosts were level once again, though, just after the hour mark when Mathieu out jumped Sergio Ramos to flick home Parejo’s corner.
However, Madrid found the goal they desperately needed to get their title hopes alive as Luka Modric picked out Jese inside the area and his fiercely driven effort slipped through the grasp of Guaita.
Barcelona were also made to work for their victory as goals from Sergio Escudero and Lisandro Lopez had given Getafe a 2-0 lead inside 14 minutes. However, the Catalans responded like champions as Pedro scored three times in quick succession before the break.
Cesc Fabregas then gave Barca breathing space when he volleyed home Pedro’s cross and the former Arsenal captain doubled his tally from the penalty spot moments later. ‘I am just happy for the victory, the goals and to help the team,’ said Pedro, who also overtook Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez to become Barca’s top scorer in La Liga with 10. ‘It was important to finish the year well. It is always difficult coming here due to the way they play, the pitch and the fans.’
Andres Iniesta extends Barcelona contract until 2018
BARCELONA: Andres Iniesta signed a three-year contract extension Monday that will keep him at Barcelona at least through the end of the 2017-18 season.The contract includes a clause that from 2018 the midfielder will automatically extend his contract on a yearly basis if he plays in a non-disclosed number of games per season. The 29-year-old Iniesta has helped Barcelona win 21 trophies, including three Champions League titles and six Spanish league titles. He has scored 48 goals for Barcelona.
Iniesta has also played a major role in helping Spain win the World Cup and the past two European Championships. Iniesta joined Barcelona’s football academy at the age of 12 and debuted with the first team in 2002. He played his 480th match with Barcelona on Sunday, when it rallied to win 5-2 at Getafe to retain its share of the Spanish league lead with Atletico Madrid. Iniesta said after Sunday’s match that he was happy with his new contract - announced by the club last week - because it meant ‘it’s possible I will retire at Barca.’
Bale’s replacement Angel di Maria put Madrid in front with a fine left-footed drive on 28 minutes, but Pablo Piatti headed home an equaliser for the hosts six minutes later.
Cristiano Ronaldo then headed home Di Maria’s free-kick put Madrid back in front five minutes before half-time, only for Valencia to level once more when Jeremy Mathieu met Dani Parejo’s corner.
However, Madrid were not to be denied as substitute Jese Rodriguez grabbed the winner with a low drive that beat Vicente Guaita at his near post 10 minutes from time.
With Bale sidelined for a second consecutive game by a calf injury, Di Maria had another chance to impress and made his presence felt in style as he controlled Marcelo’s cross-field pass before firing past Guaita into the far corner.
Valencia, buoyed by the news earlier in the day that Singaporean businessman Peter Lim may be on the verge of taking over the club, responded almost immediately as the diminutive Piatti found space inside the area to head home Juan Bernat’s cross.
Madrid were back in front six minutes later in somewhat controversial circumstances as Ronaldo’s goal was allowed to stand despite the Portuguese appearing to be slightly offside as Di Maria delivered a free-kick from wide on the right.
The hosts were level once again, though, just after the hour mark when Mathieu out jumped Sergio Ramos to flick home Parejo’s corner.
However, Madrid found the goal they desperately needed to get their title hopes alive as Luka Modric picked out Jese inside the area and his fiercely driven effort slipped through the grasp of Guaita.
Barcelona were also made to work for their victory as goals from Sergio Escudero and Lisandro Lopez had given Getafe a 2-0 lead inside 14 minutes. However, the Catalans responded like champions as Pedro scored three times in quick succession before the break.
Cesc Fabregas then gave Barca breathing space when he volleyed home Pedro’s cross and the former Arsenal captain doubled his tally from the penalty spot moments later. ‘I am just happy for the victory, the goals and to help the team,’ said Pedro, who also overtook Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez to become Barca’s top scorer in La Liga with 10. ‘It was important to finish the year well. It is always difficult coming here due to the way they play, the pitch and the fans.’
Andres Iniesta extends Barcelona contract until 2018
BARCELONA: Andres Iniesta signed a three-year contract extension Monday that will keep him at Barcelona at least through the end of the 2017-18 season.The contract includes a clause that from 2018 the midfielder will automatically extend his contract on a yearly basis if he plays in a non-disclosed number of games per season. The 29-year-old Iniesta has helped Barcelona win 21 trophies, including three Champions League titles and six Spanish league titles. He has scored 48 goals for Barcelona.
Iniesta has also played a major role in helping Spain win the World Cup and the past two European Championships. Iniesta joined Barcelona’s football academy at the age of 12 and debuted with the first team in 2002. He played his 480th match with Barcelona on Sunday, when it rallied to win 5-2 at Getafe to retain its share of the Spanish league lead with Atletico Madrid. Iniesta said after Sunday’s match that he was happy with his new contract - announced by the club last week - because it meant ‘it’s possible I will retire at Barca.’
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