Pro Eleven Headline News

Barcelona wins Copa del Rey title

FC Barcelona has won the Copa del Rey title for the first time in 11 years after a 4-1 deserved victory against Athletic Bilbao.

Bilbao grabbed the lead when its midfielder Gaizka Toquero headed in from a corner after nine minutes at Valencia's Mestalla stadium on Wednesday night.

Barcelona's Yaya Toure, however, equalized the score with a great solo goal by beating two defenders and firing in a 25-yard (22.8 meter) shot.

Pep Guardiola's men dominated the game after the interval with three goals from Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Xavi Hernandez in 10 minutes in order to hoist the cup for the first time since 1998.

Messi found the net after goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz parried a shot, Krkic collected a defense-splitting pass from Messi and curled in a shot off the post, and Xavi made it 4-1 with a free kick.

"We knew that the Basques would be physical, that they were very strong," coach Pep Guardiola said. "Above all we knew that we were going to be facing a very aggressive team so it was important to get the ball out quick, to avoid contact and not let them suffocate us."

"It's not a question of having liberated ourselves," he added. "We played a good game. It's a great day."

"The team is on course for something important," he further explained. "It's their football."

The Catalans are also on course to win the League and the European Champions League. They meet Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 27 and need one point from three games to grab the domestic league championship. Presstv.ir


Lazio win shootout to lift Italian Cup

Lazio beat Sampdoria 6-5 on penalties to lift the Italian Cup after Wednesday's final at the Stadio Olimpico finished 1-1 following extra-time.

Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera saved efforts from Antonio Cassano and Hugo Campagnaro before Ousmane Dabo scored the decisive spot-kick to give the Romans their fifth Italian Cup triumph and a place in next season's Europa League.

Captain Tommaso Rocchi, a second half substitute, was Lazio's only player to miss in the shootout.
"I think it's a just reward for these lads after a year of sacrifices," Lazio coach Delio Rossi told Rai television. "I'm very happy."

Argentine striker Mauro Zarate put Lazio in front in the fifth minute when he sprinted to the edge of the box and lashed a splendid right-footed shot inside the far post.

Giampaolo Pazzini levelled just after 31 minutes when he nodded into the corner after Marius Stankevicius headed an Antonio Cassano cross his way.

Lazio made the running in the second half and the Samp defence did well to smother danger from Zarate and Goran Pandev before Pasquale Foggia volleyed over from a good position on the hour.

Sampdoria almost pinched victory in the second period of extra time, when the ball bobbled wide after Cassano's run into the box.

"It was a worthy final. We and Lazio both honoured it," said Samp coach Walter Mazzarri.
"We're sorry for our fans, but that's the way it went. That's football. That's life." Guardian.co.uk


Man United within one point of title

Manchester United moved within one point of a record-tying 18th English league title, rallying to win 2-1 at Wigan on Wednesday night behind second-half goals from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick.

Hugo Rodallega put Wigan ahead in the 28th minute, but Tevez tied the score when he re-directed Carrick's off-target shot with a backheel in the 61st minute, three minutes after replacing Anderson. Carrick scored in the 86th.

"We did it the hard way," Carrick said.

United (27-4-5) has a six-point lead over second-place Liverpool (23-2-11) with two games remaining. It can win its third straight league title and tie Liverpool's record for most league championships with a tie or victory at home against Arsenal on Saturday.

"We'll approach the game the way we always approach a game,'' United manager Alex Ferguson said. "It is against a very good Arsenal side.''

Liverpool plays at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Tevez, who has five league goals, said he expects to play for a different club next year because of United's reluctance to make his loan permanent.

Wigan is 0-28-4 against the big four of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal since entering the Premier League four years ago. Associated Press