Lewandowski scores late penalty in Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Osasuna

Barcelona's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his team's second goal scored from the penalty spot during the Spanish Liga football match between CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on Sunday. (AFP)
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Updated 04 September 2023
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Lewandowski scores late penalty in Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Osasuna

  • Lewandowski’s winner came 10 minutes after substitute Chimy Ávila equalized for Osasuna
  • Cristian “Portu” Portugues scored an 88th-minute winner to give Girona a 1-0 win over Las Palmas in his first game since returning to his former club

BARCELONA: For a second straight game, Robert Lewandowski came to Barcelona’s rescue after he earned and converted an 86th-minute penalty to grab a 2-1 win for Barcelona at Osasuna on Sunday.

Lewandowski’s winner came 10 minutes after substitute Chimy Ávila equalized for Osasuna. Barcelona defender Jules Koundé headed in the opening goal in first-half injury time.

Barcelona’s win kept them two points behind Spanish league leaders Real Madrid after four rounds.

Lewandowski also scored the winner for Barcelona in a 4-3 thriller at Villarreal last weekend.

“He is a natural-born scorer,” coach Xavi Hernández said about Lewandowski, who helped Barcelona recover the league title last year after he arrived from Bayern Munich.

“Maybe he didn’t have that many touches today, but even if he hadn’t scored, it would have been a great game by him,” Xavi said. “His goals have given us back-to-back wins.”

The game in Pamplona included the debuts of João Cancelo and João Felix as second-half substitutes. The Portugal players joined Barcelona on loan deals just before the close of the summer transfer window on Friday night.

Osasuna played the final minutes with 10 men after Alejandro Catena earned a red card for his foul on Lewandowski with only goalkeeper Aitor Fernández to beat. Lewandowski’s goal from the resulting penalty was his second of the season.

For Xavi, the win was not pretty but it was well earned at Osasuna, a team which reached the Copa del Rey final last season and whose physical style puts most visitors to the test.

“We didn’t play our best game, and in some stages we weren’t patient enough or able to create scoring chances,” Xavi said. “(But) the truth is the team worked hard. Today we put on our work clothes. We knew how to dig in and get the win.”

Koundé broke through in first-half injury time when he brushed off his marker and headed a corner kick by Ilkay Gundogan inside the far post and out of reach of Fernández.

Cancelo made his first appearance as a substitute just two days after he joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester City. The right back replaced Sergi Roberto with just over half an hour to go.

Shortly after, Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate renewed his entire attack, sending on Chimy, Ante Budimir and Kike Barja. The hosts soon pressed Barcelona into defending its area.

Chimy’s equalizer was similar to so many goals scored by fellow Argentine Lionel Messi for Barcelona. Apparently well marked by Alejandro Balde outside the area, Chimy sped from right to left along the edge of the box before unleashing a left-footed strike that curled around a group of defenders and went in off the post.

After Chimy’s goal, Félix, who arrived from Atletico Madrid, went on with 10-plus minutes remaining.

Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong linked up in time to pull out the win. De Jong, who had started the game with a shot off the post, met a run by Lewandowski with a long ball that the Poland striker used one touch to control — just before he tumbled when Catena yanked his arm.

“We played a great game,” Arrasate said. “It is too bad that we can’t show anything for it. But this is the way forward.”

Central defender Iñigo Martínez also made his Barcelona debut in the final moments of the game. The former Athletic Bilbao player had been injured since signing for Barcelona this summer as a free agent.

Sixteen-year-old Yamine Lamal made a third consecutive start for Barcelona. On Friday the teenager was called up for Spain’s national team for the first time for upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

ATLETICO GAME POSTPONED

Atletico Madrid’s home game against Sevilla scheduled for Sunday was postponed ahead of forecasts of heavy rain in central Spain, the Spanish league said.

The Spanish league said it postponed the match after considering the warnings from Spain’s national weather service and the recommendation of Madrid’s municipal government.

WELCOME BACK

Cristian “Portu” Portugues scored an 88th-minute winner to give Girona a 1-0 win over Las Palmas in his first game since returning to his former club.

The forward, who signed for Girona on Friday, had played for the Catalan club from 2016 to 2019 before stints with Real Sociedad and Getafe.

The undefeated Girona is the early surprise of the league and is level on points with Barcelona. Besides Las Palmas, Girona beat Sevilla and Getafe, and drew against Sociedad.

Also, Athletic Bilbao drew 0-0 at Mallorca.


Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan face off in the Champions League final

Updated 31 May 2025
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Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan face off in the Champions League final

  • European club football’s biggest prize is at stake between two teams that have felt the pain of falling at the last hurdle in recent years
  • Inter was a losing finalist against Manchester City in 2023 and PSG lost in its only final against Bayern Munich in 2020

MUNICH: Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan go head-to-head in the Champions League final in Munich on Saturday.

European club football’s biggest prize is at stake between two teams that have felt the pain of falling at the last hurdle in recent years.

Inter was a losing finalist against Manchester City in 2023 and PSG lost in its only final against Bayern Munich in 2020.

After spending billions of dollars and signing some of the sport’s greatest players like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, PSG is still waiting to win its first Champions League title. Those superstars have now departed, but coach Luis Enrique has assembled one of the most exciting squads in Europe, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia filling the void left by that trio.

Enrique is aiming to win the competition for the second time as a coach, having lifted it with Barcelona in 2015, and would become the seventh coach to win the trophy with different teams.

“The motivation for me is to win the Champions League title for the first time for PSG,” he said. “That is the gift I want to give the people, the club, the city.”

Inter was looking for a treble just over a month ago, but is now left with the Champions League as its only possible trophy. It lost the Italian title by a point and was knocked out of the Italian Cup in the semifinals.

“These players in these four years did a lot — won a lot and lost sometimes. It happens. But we all gave our all, everyone. We are proud to be Inter,” coach Simone Inzaghi said. “I dreamed of playing the Champions League final. I didn’t do it as a player, but thanks to this group of players I’ve been in two finals as a head coach.”

Inter has won the Champions League or European Cup on three occasions, most recently in 2010.

When does the Champions League final begin?

The match at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. local time.


Benzema’s double strike gives Ittihad the double

Updated 31 May 2025
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Benzema’s double strike gives Ittihad the double

  • The Frenchman scored in each half to give the Tigers another trophy to celebrate
  • There was an explosion of goalmouth action in the closing stages of the first half

JEDDAH: Karim Benzema scored twice as Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Qadsiah 3-1 on Friday to lift the King Cup and complete the double after winning the Saudi Pro League title earlier in May.

At a delighted King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, the Frenchman scored in each half to give the Tigers another trophy to celebrate with their fans. It marked a 10th King Cup triumph for the club to go along with its 10th league success.


There was an explosion of goalmouth action in the closing stages of the first half. Al-Ittihad had been on top for much of the game but both teams had come close. Fans to wait until the 34th minute however to break the deadlock.

First, Benzema, who scored 21 league goals, did what he does best. Moussa Diaby freed Steven Bergwijn down the right and his cross was chested home by Benzema.

Then, after 43 minutes, Diaby floated a ball over from the right to Benzema at the far post and while the Frenchman’s header was saved, there was Houssem Aouar to finish from close range.

Just when the Tigers were set to head back in at the break in a very good position, Al-Qadsiah were back in the game. Cameron Puertas was bundled over the box and up stepped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to send Predrag Rajkovic the wrong way.

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After the restart, the next goal was always going to be crucial and though Al-Qadsiah pushed for an equaliser, it was Benzema who settled the tie and won the cup in added time after Qadsiah's Ezequiel Hernandez had been sent off for a second bookable offence.

Not for the first time in the game or the season, much of the good work was done by Diaby. The winger broke free on the left to put the ball across the goal for his fellow Frenchman to score from close range to seal the cup and the double with almost the last kick of a hugely successful –and long- season for Ittihad.

 


Concentration not obsession needed in Champions League final, says Inter coach Inzaghi

Updated 30 May 2025
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Concentration not obsession needed in Champions League final, says Inter coach Inzaghi

  • “I have seen determination and not the obsession that shouldn’t be there,” Inzaghi told reporters
  • “Instead, there should be the right concentration and determination”

MUNICH: Inter Milan are determined to avenge their 2023 Champions League final loss, though manager Simone Inzaghi warned on Friday against letting determination become obsession against Paris St. Germain in this year’s final.

While Inter’s domestic campaign ended trophyless, in Europe, Inzaghi and his players are desperate to banish the ghosts of Istanbul and their defeat to Manchester City, but they will not let their resolve turn into fixation ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Munich.

“I have seen determination and not the obsession that shouldn’t be there,” Inzaghi told reporters.

“Instead, there should be the right concentration and determination, and this is what the guys have shown me in these days.

“I asked during the week for concentration and determination, but not obsession, we must be free, free of mind in preparing in the best possible way.”

Inzaghi believes his squad is experienced and successful enough to be able to put those plans in place on Saturday, and put behind them the disappointment of losing their Serie A title to Napoli.

“The psychological side is important, we worked in the best way, leaving aside the disappointment,” Inzaghi said.

“We know how certain matches are prepared, we have world champions, we have European champions.

“We have also gained experience on how to reach the Champions League final, which is a very important match, just like a World Cup final, a European Championship final.”

Inzaghi will go into the biggest game of the season with his whole squad available, confirming that defender Benjamin Pavard is fit having missed the semifinal win over Barcelona and the final four league games.

“The guys are all available and this year, out of 59 matches, in just three games we have had all 23 available,” Inzaghi said.

“It gives a coach great confidence. Having everyone available is better than anyone could ask for, because you know you can count on all the players, players that I am proud to coach.”

Inzaghi was asked what his team needs more than anything else in order to defeat Luis Enrique’s PSG, a side which has won every trophy they have competed for so far this season.

“Aggressiveness, clarity, there could be many more because to play a match like this, to win, to win such an important match, it will take everything,” Inzaghi said.

“It will take everything, along with all the details that we are trying to take care of in the best possible way, knowing that in front of us we have a great team that has deserved the final, like Inter, which has incredible strength and a great coach.”


Liverpool sign Frimpong from Leverkusen

Updated 30 May 2025
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Liverpool sign Frimpong from Leverkusen

  • Frimpong, who will officially join on June 1, signed a five-year contract

LONDON: Premier League champions Liverpool have signed defender Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen on a long-term contract, both clubs announced on Friday.

Financial details were not disclosed by either club, but British media reported that Liverpool triggered a 35 million euros ($39.73 million) release clause for the 24-year-old Dutch international, whose deal with Leverkusen was valid until 2028.


Frimpong, who will officially join on June 1, signed a five-year contract, media reports said.

The right back, who can also play as a winger, played a key role in the Leverkusen side that won the German domestic double in 2023-24, chipping in with 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.


US-based group completes Rangers takeover

Updated 30 May 2025
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US-based group completes Rangers takeover

  • The consortium of investors, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, purchased a majority 51 percent stake in the Glasgow team
  • Rangers said the Scottish Football Association approved the deal late on Thursday night

GLASGOW: A United States-based group completed their takeover of Scottish Premiership club Rangers on Friday and immediately pledged to make a £20 million ($26 million) investment in new signings.

The consortium of investors, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, purchased a majority 51 percent stake in the Glasgow team.

Funding for the close-season signings will come in the form of a new share issue, subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting on June 23.

Healthcare executive Cavenagh is Rangers’ new chairman, while Paraag Marathe, who is chairman of Premier League side Leeds United and the president of 49ers Enterprises, becomes the vice-chairman.

Rangers said the Scottish Football Association approved the deal late on Thursday night after the club sought consent over dual ownership issues.

Sports investment firm 49ers Enterprises also owns a majority stake in Leeds, who won promotion from the Championship this season.

The deal will allow Rangers to step up their recruitment of a new manager.

Real Madrid’s departing assistant manager Davide Ancelotti and former Southampton boss Russell Martin are among the leading contenders for the job following the departure of interim boss Barry Ferguson.

“We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the Rangers board, shareholders, staff, and supporters,” Cavenagh said.

“This club’s history and traditions speak for themselves, but history doesn’t win matches.

“We know that the true way to honor the club’s heritage will be to drive performance.

“Our focus is simple: elevate performance, deliver results, and bring Rangers back to where it belongs — at the top.”

Rangers finished second in the Scottish Premier League this season, trailing 17 points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic, and failed to win a trophy.

Rangers haven’t won the Scottish title since 2021, with Celtic lifting the trophy 13 times in the last 14 seasons.

Ending Celtic’s dominance will be the top priority for Rangers’ new owners.

Marathe added: “At 49ers Enterprises, we have built a track record of sporting and business success, but our driving motivation is our deep connection to the clubs and communities we serve.”