England were favourites to win both friendly games this week, and they proved the football odds right with wins against Mexico and Japan. The games were used as run-outs for the players which Fabio Capello may take to the world cup. Here are the highlights of both games, you can make your own assumptions of the final 23 man squad which is to be announced later today.
I posted an article last week about the key battles which were going to take part in the 1st leg of the Quarter-final. The battles were intense and for atleast an hour of the game Barcelona won every single battle, how they were only 2-0 up at 60 minute mark only they know. The tie looked as if it was over as a contenst and that the 2nd leg would be a fomality for the Catalan giants as they cruised into a 2 goal lead just after half time. But after bringing Theo Walcott on, the game turned on its head.
Arsenal got 2 goals late on to end the game 2 – 2. Now the tie is poised on a knife edge, but both teams suffered major blows in the 1st leg, with Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Andre Arsharvin all getting injured meaning they won’t take part for the rest of the season, and Barcelona loosing both of their center backs to suspensions.
The 1st leg didnt dissapoint and i’m, sure that the 2nd leg will be even better. Arsenal will look to get an early away goal and try to stop an onslaught from Barcalona, if it’s anything like the 1st leg Arsenal may come away having been comprehensively beaten at the hands of Pep Guardiola and his formidable barca team.
Here are the live football highlights just to wet your appetite
Last night Celtic were beat 4 – 0 by St Mirren, this is their heaviest defeat by another team other than rangers in 30 years. This result leaves Celtic 10 points behind there old firm rivavls as well as having played 2 games more. Following this defeat Tony Mobawry (Celtic manager) has been sacked, adn seemingly the title race is over for the season.
Here are teh highlights of the enfatic St Mirren victory
Barcalona cruised through to the ¼ finals of the Uefa Champions League last night, mainly thanks to their superstar Lionel Messi. All the talk before the game was about how Stuttgart were going to stop possibly the best player in the world, in reply to how do you stop Messi “Don’t Let him get the ball” (Stuttgart Manager).
Clearly his players were not listening to this interview, because just less than 20minutes into the game Messi picked the ball up 50yard away from goal and dribble to the edge of the Stuttgart penalty area before unleashing a thunderous strike into the top corner of the goal. Then just 5 minutes later the defence was cut open again by a wonderful lofted through ball by Messi to Toure who squared the ball to an unmarked Pedro, who slotted home from 6yrds out.
The game was all but over after the second goal, it seemed that Barca could score at will, and that it was upto them whether they wanted to embaress Stuttgart.
After half time the game carried on in the same one way direction, with Barca squandering a few good chances before the little Argentinian collected a neat flick from Dani Alves to slot home from 20 yards out.
Bojan came off of the bench with 3 minutes left and with his first touch slotted the ball past Jens Lehmann after a classy through ball from Ibrahimovic to seal the Victory for the Catalans
Tonight is possibly the biggest night in Jose Mourinho’s career as he returns to Chelsea with Inter, in the second leg of their champions league clash. Inter holld a narrow 2-1 win over the blues after a strong display in the San Siro.
Jose has gone into the clash saying “I have nothing to prove to Chelsea, nothing to prove to Chelsea players, to Chelsea fans or to the Chelsea board”
This is typical mourinho, he has a cocky arrogant swagger about himself, but to be honest he can back it up with his numerous amount of tropheys he has won over his managerial career, with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.
These are the highlights of the live football from the 1st leg Fast Tube by Casper
