Barcelona did not need Lionel Messi to secure a successful start to their Copa del Rey defense on Tuesday, beating third-tier Deportivo Alaves 3-0 after goals by David Villa, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.
Villa opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he perfectly timed his run past Alaves’ back four to powerfully latch onto a pass by Iniesta and send it into the net via the crossbar.
Villa, who missed the second half of last season after breaking his leg, said he is enjoying every minute being back on the pitch.
Photo: Reuters
“From hospital, it was difficult to score goals,” Villa said.
Iniesta added the second in the 51st minute after a well-worked move.
Fabregas won possession deep in Alaves’ half and threaded a cross through the defense to Villa, who found Iniesta with a delicate tap. The Spain international midfielder then scored with a delightfully controlled lob over Alaves goalkeeper Urtzi Iturrioz.
Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez had what appeared to be a legitimate goal disallowed for offside in the 56th minute, but Fabregas rose above the Alaves defense to head in a precisely aimed cross from the right by Dani Alves in the 88th.
Coach Tito Vilanova had decided to rest Messi, forward Pedro Rodriguez, midfielder Xavi Hernandez and defender Jordi Alba for the game.
With several other defenders out injured, Vilanova selected Martin Montoya, Javier Mascherano, Marc Bartra and Dani Alves as the back four.
Earlier on Tuesday, goals by Nelson Valdez and Jonas gave Valencia a 2-0 win over lower-tier club UE Llagostera.
Playing in pouring rain at Llagostera’s 2,500-capacity stadium 100km northeast of Barcelona, Valencia’s Brazilian forward Jonas headed midfielder Daniel Parejo’s pass into the net in first-half stoppage-time.
Valdez then headed in a corner from Parejo in the 66th minute.
Llagostera is an agricultural town of 8,000 and its soccer club has 500 members and an annual budget of 400,000 euros (US$519,000).
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely