06-11-2019, 02:42 AM
BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi ended Barcelonas run of three straight losses and kept it in the Spanish league title chase by scoring a late free kick to complete its 2-1 comeback win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Carolina Panthers Jerseys Outlet . Messis 75th-minute goal answered some of the criticism the clubs all-time leading scorer had received for his lacklustre performances in the teams recent losses in the league, Champions League and Copa del Rey final. Barcelona was on its way to another defeat when Aritz Aduriz scored in the 50th, provoking a smattering of white handkerchiefs in the Camp Nou stands, but Pedro Rodriguez equalized when he slotted in Alexis Sanchezs scuffed strike in the 72nd. Barcelona still needed defender Javier Mascherano to block Mikel Ricos point-blank try in injury time to protect the three points after Cristian Tello had wasted one of numerous opportunities to put the result beyond doubt. "After the first half I thought that this wasnt to be our day after missing so many chances," said Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino, whose job probably depends on Barcelona catching Atletico to defend its title. "But we kept fighting. We played with a lot of heart to overcome a difficult week and a game that had turned against us. Messi defends himself on the pitch and I am happy for him." Barcelona moved provisionally into second place, four points behind leader Atletico Madrid. Madrid is two points behind Barcelona but with a game to play. Messi set up his winner after earning a foul on the edge of the area, and the Argentina forward used his left foot to finally beat Gorka Iraizoz after the goalkeeper had denied him twice. While not exactly his electrifying old self, Messi was active creating scoring chances from the start, but Alexis Sanchez sent Pedros pass off the bar from close range in the 38th. Barcelonas attack was working. Its defence, however, showed the same frailties that have plagued it in the second half of the season. Adurizs beautiful bicycle kick crashed into the post before goalkeeper Jose Pinto palmed away Markel Susaetas follow-up at the half-hour mark. The patience of Barcelonas fans began to fray when Bartra lost the ball near his area and Aduriz expertly drove the ball into the corner of the net. And when Messi sent the ball wide one-on-one against Iraizoz a collective groan filled the stadium. But Pedro was finally able to steer the ball in when Dani Alves began a move from the right flank to start Barcelona on its way to a much-needed victory. "We knew that after all the opinions and criticism that we have received that we had to do our job and be professionals," Mascherano said. "We have to hold on to that small hope that if we win our games we can then see what happens. We cant just let (Atletico and Madrid) slip up and not be there." Bilbaos loss put its hold on fourth place and the last Champions League in danger after Sevilla closed the gap to three points by thrashing Granada 4-0, with the Basques hosting the Andalusian side next round. Sevilla, which opens its Europa League semifinal against Valencia on Thursday, eased past Granada thanks to Diego Mainzs own goal and goals by Kevin Gameiro, Stephane Mbia and Victor Machin. Celta Vigo outclassed Almeria with a 4-2 away win as forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo netted a double, and Paulao scored one goal and set up another, but both for the wrong team, as bottom-side Real Betis slumped to a demoralizing 3-1 defeat at Rayo Vallecano. Celta kept Almeria in the relegation zone thanks to Nolitos brace and goals by fellow forwards Charles and Fabian Orellana, while Rafina set up two scores. Paulaos nightmare began in the 14th when he left his back pass woefully short of reaching goalkeeper Adan Garrido, and Rochina Raixes poached the ball to roll it in. The Brazilian defender followed that mistake by clearing a cross into his own net in the 27th. Paulao asked to be substituted and was replaced five minutes later, with the Rayo fans in Vallecas Stadium politely applauding him to show their support. Betis was left on the brink of relegation, 10 points from safety with four games to go. Authentic Carolina Panthers Jerseys . Dancevic won his singles match on Friday, defeating Go Soeda 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-1, to even the best-of-five series at a game apiece. World No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky in the opening match, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Cheap Carolina Panthers Jerseys Online .com) - The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics both entered Wednesday nights game riding lengthy losing streaks. http://www.cheappanthers.com/ . -- Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana agreed Tuesday to a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles as he tries to come back from the second major operation on his left shoulder.ROME -- Duncan Weirs last-gasp dropped goal lifted Scotland over Italy 21-20 at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday for its first victory in this years Six Nations. Italy was heading towards breaking its own duck with a fourth straight home victory over Scotland after lock Joshua Furnos first international try, which replacement flyhalf Luciano Orquera converted with less than 10 minutes remaining. But defeat left Italy winless through three rounds, while Scotland earned some redemption in rebounding from a 20-0 home loss to England, regarded as one of its worst displays ever. "Its all a big blur to be honest," Weir said. "We had a few chances to go for it. I was in the pocket and Cus (Chris Cusiter) gave me a lovely ball and the rest is history. "You just have to go back to basics, get your ball drop right, and I managed to execute it. Its a great feeling and I am delighted for the boys we have come away with the win. We can kick on from here now." With captain Sergio Parisse and prop Martin Castrogiovanni marking their record 104th caps for Italy, they were in the forefront in giving their side a deserved 13-3 lead at halftime. All of its points came from former Scotland Under-20 flyhalf Tommaso Allan, including his second international try. Scotland upped its intensity after the interval, and centre Alex Dunbar scored two tries with Weir converting the second. Captain Greg Laidlaw missed one kick but weighed in with two penalties. "The quality of the match was disappointing," Italy coach Jacques Brunel said. "It was the worst Italy Ive seen since Ive been here. We gifted Scotland the chance to win through our mistakes. "Were behind in regards to our ambitions. I want to understand why we were so bad. We have to react. Our defence was good up until a certain point. But then ... we didnt do our part, we can put on very different performances." Scotland conceded a third scrum penalty in the 12th minute and from that the Azzurri went on the attackk. Wholesale Carolina Panthers Jerseys. As Italy punched at the tryline, roared on by the vociferous crowd, Allan forced it over but Robert Barbieris pass was forward, and Italy came away with a penalty. Scotlands indiscipline continued to grow, with the visitors conceding five penalties in the opening quarter -- and that was to increase to 10 by halftime. However, Laidlaw evened the score with a penalty kick in the 23rd. Scotland, which had one try in its last five matches in the Six Nations, had a great chance on the half hour when Weir broke in the Italian half but he cut inside instead of using Sean Lamont on his outside and slipped. Allan put Italy back in front with another kick, and added his converted try in the final minute of the half, going over from Furnos pass after Sergio Parisses charge off the back of the scrum. Rather than deflate Scotland, the late score spurred the visitors to new heights in the new half. They put Italy under sustained pressure. The breach finally came in the 54th when Weir jolted the ball from Italy scrumhalf Edoardo Gori. Scotland spread it quick, and Dunbar sliced through and sped into the right corner to score Scotlands first try of the championship. It took 12 more minutes to score its second. From a scrum on halfway, left wing Sean Lamont ran over Allan and Dunbar burst through. With Laidlaw off, Weir converted for Scotlands first lead at 18-13. Italy looked to have rescued the win after a big run by left wing Leonardo Sarto up the middle, finished by Orquera and Parisse sending Furno over in the right corner for his first try in 16 appearances. Italy had a two-point lead. But for the last few minutes, Scotlands forwards took control, busily working the phases, keeping the ball and making hard yards. With 19 seconds left, replacement scrumhalf Chris Cusiter fired the ball to Weir, who struck it sweet from 35 metres. He was already running back to his half in joy by the time the ball flew high inside the left post, the Stadio Olimpico stunned into silence. 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