Real Madrid’s Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo repeated coach Jose Mourinho’s claims that bitter rivals Barcelona were favored by referees in Barcelona on Tuesday after a 1-1 draw in their Champions League semi--final second-leg match saw Barca progress 3-1 on aggregate.
The former Manchester United player — who was outshone by Barcelona’s two-time world player of the year Lionel Messi over the two legs — was especially incensed by the decision of Belgian referee Frank De Bleeckere to rule out a Gonzalo Higuain goal early in the second half.
De Bleeckere — one of several referees to be targeted by Mourinho’s outburst following the first leg last week — decided that Ronaldo had fouled Javier Mascherano in the lead-up to the goal, though, it was harsh as Barca defender Gerard Pique had pushed Ronaldo initially.
Photo: AFP
Had the goal stood, it would have given Real a 1-0 lead in the game and a real chance of progressing at Barca’s expense.
“It [trying to overhaul Barcelona’s first-leg lead] was Mission Impossible 4,” said the 26-year-old, who scored the only goal to secure Madrid the Copa del Rey against Barcelona late last month. “We knew what was going to happen. We were used to it after the first leg. Higuain’s goal was fine.”
“Once again, we have to live with that. [On the lead-up to the goal] Pique pushed me and I fell on top of Mascherano, who when he played in England [for West Ham and Liverpool], would not have fallen to the ground like that, but here he does it like everybody else,” Ronaldo said. “There was nothing wrong with the goal, that could have altered the course of the match, but the referee didn’t want to see it that way.”
“Those who know about football know that Barcelona are very well protected. We just have to live with these injustices,” the Portuguese said, adding: “Next year they should just give the cup directly to Barcelona.”
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Monday wobbled through a 28-pitch first inning at home against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023. Scheduled to throw as many as two innings, Ohtani went a single frame while allowing one run on two hits. He did not issue a walk nor strike out a batter. “Not quite happy with the results overall, but the takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing,” Ohtani said of his pitching performance. Ohtani still wound up with a positive impact
RSS