Real loses ahead of CWC tie against Al-Ahly

Real loses ahead of CWC tie against Al-Ahly
Real loses ahead of CWC tie against Al-Ahly

Arabnews24.ca:Monday 6 February 2023 04:27 AM: MADRID — Marco Asensio missed a penalty kick and depleted Champions Real Madrid lost 1-0 at Mallorca in the Spanish La Liga in its last match before traveling to Morocco to clash with Egyptian giants Al-Ahly at the Club World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

“We already expected a very tough match,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “We had our chances but couldn´t take advantage of them.”

Ancelotti couldn´t count on several injured starters, including striker Karim Benzema, defender Eder Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was dropped from the squad at the last minute after getting injured during the warm-up.

Ancelotti also rested midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who came on in the second-half.

Asensio missed a chance to equalize when his 60th-minute penalty kick was saved by Mallorca goalkeeper Pedrag Rajkovic after Madrid forward Vinicius Junior had been fouled.

Madrid’s last chance was a header by Antonio Rudiger that went narrowly wide deep into stoppage time, AP reported.

The hosts got on the board with an own-goal by Nacho Fernandez, who was replacing Militao in defense.

Nacho went for a high cross and deflected the ball into his own net over goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who started in place of Courtois.

Elsewhere, Barcelona extended their La Liga lead to eight points thanks to second-half goals by Jordi Alba, Gavi and Raphinha that gave them a 3-0 home win against Sevilla.

The locals were in control from the beginning but managed to score only after the break when substitute Franck Kessie set up Alba inside the box to slot in a first-touch strike to the goalkeeper’s left.

Twelve minutes later, Raphinha sped down the right and delivered a perfect low cross to Gavi who tapped it in.

Raphinha got the third goal in the 79th with a point-blank strike from an Alba cross.

Barca tops the standings on 53 points, eight ahead of second-placed Real and 14 above third-placed Real Sociedad. Sevilla, who has won only five of their 20 La Liga games this season, is 16th on 21 points, two above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid was unable to tighten their grip on fourth place in La Liga as they suffered a 1-1 draw with lowly Getafe, AFP reported.

Angel Correa sent Atletico ahead in the derby clash but Enes Unal clinically converted a penalty to level for the relegation-battling visitors.

Saul, who was Atletico’s hero last weekend off the bench, scoring the winner against Osasuna, became the villain at the Metropolitano.

The Spanish midfielder handled Borja Mayoral’s header in the box to concede the penalty a few minutes after coming on.

“We went in front making a great effort, we tried in every way, we played the game we wanted to play,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone told DAZN.

“Circumstances are not predictable, we didn’t get the second goal and what appears in football appeared — a penalty in a play which was not dangerous.

“But we have to keep improving.”

Simeone’s side dominated the first half but failed to create many clear chances.

However they moved ahead on the hour mark when Correa fired home after Thomas Lemar’s shot was saved.

The goal was initially flagged offside but was awarded after checking on VAR, by which time Correa had been substituted, celebrating his strike already wearing a big coat on the sidelines.

“The play for the goal was a bit weird,” Correa told DAZN.

“They thought it was offside, there were doubts about it, then Cholo made the change and in the end it was a goal, it was a bit strange.”

Correa also said he thought his team deserved a penalty when Getafe’s Djene Dakonam appeared to drag down Alvaro Morata in the area in the first half.

“I think it was a clear penalty on Alvaro and a second yellow card for the defender,” added Correa.

Get the latest news delivered to your inbox

Follow us on social media networks

 
c 1976-2021 Arab News 24 Int'l - Canada: كافة حقوق الموقع والتصميم محفوظة لـ أخبار العرب-كندا
الآراء المنشورة في هذا الموقع، لا تعبر بالضرورة علي آراء الناشرأو محرري الموقع ولكن تعبر عن رأي كاتبيها
Opinion in this site does not reflect the opinion of the Publisher/ or the Editors, but reflects the opinion of its authors.
This website is Educational and Not for Profit to inform & educate the Arab Community in Canada & USA
This Website conforms to all Canadian Laws
Copyrights infringements: The news published here are a feed from different media, if there is any concern,
please contact us: arabnews AT yahoo.com and we will remove, rectify or address the matter.