FOOTBALL – The 2021 Copa del Rey final featuring, Athletic v Barcelona took place in front of an empty estadio de La Cartuja en Sevilla on Saturday.
Both teams came out strong and had many early chances. The first half ended with no goals and no clear dominant side. However, this changed after half time, and Barcelona were relentless in their attacks. Although we still had to wait a further 15 minutes before we saw any goal action. But then, within just 12 minutes, we saw four goals. The first of which came in the 60th minute by Griezmann, then just 3 minutes later, Frenkie de Jong scored. Messi then put two in the net in the 68th and 72nd minutes. A 5th goal in the 85th minute was disallowed when Griezmann was declared offside.
Champions League football
Real Madrid faced Liverpool in the return leg of the Champions League. This ended with no score, meaning Real Madrid won 1-3 on aggregate. Real Madrid play host to Chelsea on April 27 for the first leg of the semi-final.
UEFA Europa League
The quarter final second leg matches were played this week. Granada were away to Manchester United who sit 2nd place in the English premiership. They lost the first leg, with the English side scoring two away goals, and in Manchester, they also failed to score. Man United scored twice at home also, making the aggregate score 4-0 for Manchester United.
Villarreal, on the other hand, played their second leg at home. The first leg against Dinamo Zagreb ended in a 1-0 victory for Villarreal, meaning the had the away goal advantage going into their home game. This ended 2-1, making 3-1 on aggregate and ensuring Villarreal´s place in the semi-finals. They play at home against Arsenal on April 29.
La Liga
With every point needed from each remaining game, the top 4 need to keep pushing to remain in with a chance. The first such game was Celta Vigo v Sevilla at the Balaidos Stadium. Sevilla needed all three points to keep their hopes alive.
It was a hard-fought game from start to finish, producing a total of 7 goals. Sevilla opened the score line with a goal from Kounde after just 7 minutes. Celta Vigo then pressed hard and scored twice in quick succession in the 20th and 23rd minutes. Both goals were by Aspas. The first half of this match saw a further 2 goals. Fernando for Sevilla in 35 minutes, and Mendez scored the third goal for Celta Vigo in the 43rd minute of the game. This late goal from Mendez just before half time, meant Celta Vigo went down the tunnel with a one goal advantage!
The second half saw little from Celta Vigo and allowed Sevilla´s Rakitic to equalise in the 60th minute and finally in the 76th minute for Gomez to score the winning goal for Sevilla ending in a 3-4 result.
Sevilla continued their winning streak during their game yesterday against Real Sociedad. Fernandez scored first after just 5 minutes for the home team, but then Sevilla put 2 in the net in the 22nd and 24th minutes by Fernando and then En-Nesyri. The game finished 1-2 with Sevilla taking the points.
La Liga leaders, Atletico Madrid won 5-0 in their home game against Eibar yesterday. Correa scored twice just before the end of the first half. Then Carrasco picked up the pace and scored 4 minutes into the second half. Then a further two goals came from LLorente – the first of which came in the 53rd minute, and the final goal of the match 15 minutes later.
Also, yesterday Real Madrid were held to a no score draw with Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
Barcelona didn´t play in La Liga this week due to their Copa del Rey final match. They, therefore, have a game in hand.
Atletico Madrid still hold top position and are 3 points clear of 2nd place Real Madrid. However, due to Barcelona not playing in La Liga this week, they have a game in hand and sit in 3rd place just 2 points behind Real Madrid. The last two wins for Sevilla have seen them move up the points table. They now are only one point behind Barcelona.
Sevilla and Real Madrid both have away games on Wednesday while on Thursday, both Barcelona and Atletico are at home.
Himna a la Alegría
Spanish Music production companies Universal Music España, Sony Music España and Warner Music España have teamed up to record a very special song, and created a new, and beautifully moving version of Himno a la Alegría. Many aspects of the corona pandemic are covered as heroes from care are recognised as well as other issues acknowledged. Such as families being apart and loneliness. The collaboration is not just singers, but also a number of sport personalities including some from the football world including Luis Figo, Vicente del Bosque, Simeone and Messi.
