Frank Kessie scored a last-minute winner to help Barcelona produce one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in La Liga. Barcelona took a significant step towards capturing their first La Liga title since 2019. At the final whistle at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s players huddled and celebrated on the field. The VAR spared Barcelona for the second time in a row, as Marco Asensio’s shot was ruled out for offside in the 81st minute. Last week, they defeated Athletic Bilbao when a video review overturned an 87th-minute equalizer by Athletic attacker Inaki Williams. Barcelona dominated Real Madrid for much of the game, producing the majority of the meaningful chances.
However, the visitors took the lead in the ninth minute thanks to a lucky own-goal by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who diverted the ball into the net with a header after a cross from the left side of the box by Madrid striker Vinicius Junior. Sergi Roberto equalized in the 45th minute after picking up a loose ball inside the area, and Kessie scored from the center of the box following a late breakaway as Real made a final push for victory. That was the adversaries’ second meeting in less than three weeks. Barcelona won the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on March 3. The return leg takes place at Camp Nou.
Nevertheless, La Liga believes FIFA has completely ignored national tournaments in organizing the extended World Cup.
“FIFA’s practice of making unilateral decisions on the world football calendar continues, with total contempt for the significance of national championships and the football community in general,” La Liga president Javier Tebas said. “FIFA utterly disregards the economic costs that these choices impose on leagues around the world. Leagues were not consulted about any of today’s reforms, particularly the new yearly club competition. These decisions fail to consider the competitive, sporting, and economic impact on national leagues, clubs, and players by further packing an already overburdened schedule. FIFA only considers a tiny number of clubs and players.”
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