By TRAVIS CLARK
For a club and player who had been scoring with ease the last three games, to go more than 70 minutes without a goal was rather unusual. That was the case for Lionel Messi and Barcelona Wednesday, unable to solve a well-organized Osasuna side for the majority of the match.
Someone had to step up, and it was Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who seized the goal-scoring mantle from Messi — who had a quiet game by his standards — breaking through in the 73rd minute. Youngster Bojan Krkic added a second to seal the 2-0 win.
With the La Liga title coming down to the wire, the win gives Barcelona a temporary three-point lead at the top of the table, with title rivals Real Madrid playing Getafe today.
Here's a few other stories for Thursday:
MEXICO DRAWS ICELAND
In front of over 63,000 fans in Charlotte, a Mexican team comprised mostly of World Cup-hopefuls couldn't come up with any goals, drawing Iceland 0-0. The match was an opportunity for Javier Aguirre to get a long look at a number of fringe players who failed to impress, at least offensively. A number of missed opportunities plagued Mexico, who were frustrated by a squad comprised heavily of amateurs from a country that has never qualified for the World Cup.
CELTIC EMBARRASSED BY ST. MIRREN, RANGERS OUT IN SCOTTISH CUP
Former New England Revolution midfielder Andy Dorman scored a brace as host St. Mirren humbled Scottish power Celtic 4-0. The loss leaves Rangers in firm control of the Scottish Premier League, 10 points ahead of their Glasgow counterparts with two games in hand. Rangers suffered bad news of their own, however, getting knocked out 1-0 in the Scottish Cup to Dundee United.
BAYERN REACH GERMAN CUP FINAL
Bayern Munich reached the final of the German Cup, eking out a 1-0 win over Schalke in extra time. Arjen Robben's winner in the 112th minute gave Bayern the win, and a chance at their 15th German Cup. They'll face Werder Bremen on May 15.
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What do you think of Barcelona's latest win? Who will win the La Liga title? Any chance Celtic can catch Rangers now?
Share your thoughts below.
Actually Hush it was 15 wins…My bad! Except for the one you mention in England, ALL of them in the United States!
Did you not read the beginning when I write that all 26 of those games were played abroad?
What the heck?
Mexico vs. Italy in WC 94 (USA) was 1-1 ( Mexico finished top of their group).
Mexico vs. Netherlands in WC 98 (France) was 2-2.
Mexico vs. Italy in WC 02 (Japan/Korea) was 1-1. (Italy tied 5 min. from the end), and vs. Croatia was 1-0 Mexico. ( Also finished top of their group).
Only you think Mexico is an “easy” loss.
Yeah, but out of those 14 wins how many came from playing in the U.S? The Ghana game in England is 1 win, which other ones are you talking about? Mexico lost to every concacaf team away except for Costa Rica.
Sorry man, but Mexico outside the Americas against any worthy european opponet is an easy loss. The Mexican federation stays away from european teams do to FIFA rankings. The Mexican federation we all know doesn’t like to see their team be above 20 in the rankings. So they prefer to play below average teams to score a fair share of points to move up the latter in the FIFA rankings.
Mexico’s last 3 games before the W.C is a big surprise too most. It’s ok if they loose all three though, most of the points have already been gain by playing NKorea,Bolivia,NZealand, Chile,Senegal,Nkorea. 🙂
Personally I prefer “taco sauce” to Ketchup and beans to Mcdonalds anytime! But to each his own.
Listen here Jimbo:
The Mexican National Team played 26 games outside of Mexico from 2007 to 2010…You follow so far?
All of them friendlies, except for 6 Gold Cup games. Still with me?
Won 14, tied 4, lost 7! What did you say about Mexico’s a$$es puckering up outside Azteca???
The only game they played with a team that I consider is 95% of the team that will start against South Africa was the one fielded against New Zealand on March 3, 2010. The rest were experiments…Comprendes?
Including the one that beat the US team 5-0 in the Gold Cup final!
Now I know you will say that is also an “E” team like the one fielded by Iceland yesterday, meaning that if Icelands “E” team tied our “B” team 0-0, and Mexico’s “B” team destroyed the US “E” team 5-0, then Iceland’s “E” team is considerably better than yours!
Good Luck in South Africa and have a good night!