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Goal of the day: Ángel di María (Real Madrid) vs Racing Santander

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:08:00 +0000

Ángel di María marked his first appearance of 2012 with an impressive goal as Real Madrid earned a comfortable 4-0 win over Racing Santander at the Bernabéu on Saturday.


Ángel di María celebrates a goal against Racing Santander with his Real Madrid team-mates Photo: Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo headed Madrid into an early lead before Racing had defender Domingo Cisma sent off six minutes before the break for a second yellow card.

Karim Benzema doubled the lead right on the stroke of half-time when his effort was deflected over the line by Racing defender Bernardo under pressure from Sergio Ramos.

The home team looked comfortable throughout the second period and netted the third goal, and the best of the night, in the 73rd minute.

Fit-again Di María, just 10 minutes after replacing Mesut Özil, fired in a superb curling effort from the edge of the area which Racing goalkeeper Toño got a hand to but could not keep out.

Benzema made it 4-0 late on with a deflected shot to keep the Spanish giants on course for the title.

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Soccer AM: Showboat - 18th February 2012

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:02:00 +0000

Watch this week's Soccer AM Showboat featuring James Milner, Wilfried Zaha, Steven Pienaar, Michel Bastos and Robin van Persie.

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Pic of the day: Gary Neville's birthday cake

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:56:00 +0000

It's Gary Neville's birthday today and look what he got from his younger sister, Tracey.


Photo: @gina_shoes

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La Liga: Real Madrid 4-0 Racing Santander

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:18:00 +0000

Real Madrid moved 13 points clear at the top of La Liga with a comfortable 4-0 home victory over struggling Racing Santander.

Cristiano Ronaldo set the hosts on their way when he headed his league-leading 28th goal from close range after just six minutes.

Racing were reduced to 10 men when Domingo Cisma was shown a second yellow card on 39 minutes and Madrid headed to the interval 2-0 up thanks to a Karim Benzema strike on the stroke of half-time.

Ángel di María marked his first appearance of 2012 with an impressive 73rd-minute strike before Benzema capped the rout two minutes from the end.

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Serie A: Juventus 3-1 Catania

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:14:00 +0000

Juventus returned to the Serie A summit after coming from behind to beat 10-man Catania 3-1 in an entertaining match at home.

Pablo Barrientos shocked the home side with a goal after just four minutes before veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo equalised with a free-kick in the 22nd minute.

Catania all but sealed their fate when Marco Motta, who arrived on loan from Juventus in January, received a second yellow and was sent off on 65 minutes.

Giorgio Chiellini then headed Juventus in front in the 74th minute and Fabio Quagliarella put the result beyond doubt with nine minutes remaining.

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Serie A: Inter Milan 0-3 Bologna

Best Goals of Week #3 February 2012

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:41:00 +0000

Here are the best goals from week #3 February 2012, courtesy of TVGOLO.com.

Goal#1	Emanuele Terranova (Sassuolo)	vs Bari
Goal#2	Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)	vs Levante
Goal#3	Christian Fabbiani (Independiente Rivadavia)	vs Almirante Brown
Goal#4	Mehmet Topal (Valencia)	vs Stoke City
Goal#5	Sergei Semak (Zenit St Petersburg)	vs Benfica
Goal#6	André Santos (Sporting Lisbon)	vs Legia Warsaw
Goal#7	Lucas Ocampos (River Plate)	vs Iraty
Goal#8	Livio Nabab (Caen)	vs Olympique Lyon
Goal#9	Mike Hanke (Borussia Mönchengladbach)	vs Schalke 04
Goal#10	Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan)	vs Arsenal

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I APP Zlatan! Ibrahimović's interactive biography launches on iPad

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Zlatan Ibrahimović, together with Swedish publisher Bonnierförlagen, on Friday released the first interactive biography app for iPad – I Am Zlatan.


Zlatan Ibrahimović has launched his life story as an interactive iPad app Photo: IAMZLATAN.com

For a completely reasonable $18.99 (£13.49/€14.99), English-speaking fans can experience the full story about the AC Milan striker, based on the no 1 best selling book in Swedish history.

In the iPad version, the original text is brought to life by integrating it with memorabilia, images and video from throughout Ibrahimović's career offering a new kind of reading experience.

Unique features only available in the iPad biography include:

Timeline: explore the original text re-created as a chronological interactive storyline

Geo stories: explore the story geographically on an interactive map or using the GPS of the iPad when travelling

Stop-motion storytelling: interactive frame-by-frame studies of goals and tricks

Tattoo stories: explore Ibrahimović's tattoos interactively

Dialogue storytelling: The first meeting with manager Mino Raiola

Memorabilia gallery: close-up view of Ibrahimović's boots through the years

Statistics: career told in numbers with adjacent images

Picture gallery: life outside of football

Personal video introduction by Ibrahimović

Unique behind-the-scenes interview with author David Lagercrantz on writing the text with Ibrahimović

"I wanted to tell everyone my story and let fans understand where I come from. The app is a great way to do this. This is how I always wanted the story to be experienced," says Ibrahimović.

Get the app in the iTunes App Store or through IAMZLATAN.com

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Save of the week: Ben Mee (Burnley) vs Reading

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:41:00 +0000

Reading claimed a 1-0 home win over Burnley on Friday - in a match that will be remembered for a mind-boggling piece of defending from Clarets' Ben Mee.


Burnley defender Ben Mee uses his head to prevent Reading's Noel Hunt from scoring Photo: YouTube

Noel Hunt looked certain to score for Reading during a goalmouth scramble after keeper Lee Grant fumbled Ian Harte's free-kick.

But Mee, already on the floor, bravely stuck his head behind the ball and, risking a serious head injury, took the full impact at point-blank range to divert the ball over.

It was an astonishing act of bravery, putting his head in where it hurts, just inches from Hunt's swinging boot.

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Aaron Ramsey's 'kick of death' gets the Taiwanese animation

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:32:00 +0000

The geniuses behind the Taiwanese Animation films have struck again, this time focusing on Aaron Ramsey's "kick of death".


Aaron Ramsey has been linked to the death of celebrities

By now you have probably heard of the tenuous attempt to link Ramsey's occasional goal-scoring to several notable deaths that have happened in the days that followed.

The Arsenal midfielder has scored four goals in the last year. When Ramsey scored his first goal against Manchester United on May 1, the next day Osama Bin Laden was shot by US Navy Seals.

In October he scored against Tottenham Hotspur, just three days later Apple boss Steve Jobs passed away.

When Ramsey netted against Olympique Marseille, Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi was shot and killed the next day.

Then on Saturday, just hours after Ramsey hit the back of the net against Sunderland, Whitney Houston was found dead in the hotel bathroom.

Coincidence, or does Ramsey really possess the "kick of death?" Guess we'll just have to wait until the next time he registers with the scorers to find out.

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Serie A: Inter Milan 0-3 Bologna

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:29:00 +0000

Claudio Ranieri's future as Inter Milan coach was hanging in the balance after shock 3-0 defeat against lowly Bologna at the San Siro.

The Nerazzurri, who went into the game without a win in their four previous Serie A outings, had the better of the early exchanges but were left reeling after a quick-fire double from Marco Di Vaio shortly before the break.

Inter tried to rally in the second period but Robert Acquafresca put the final nail in the coffin when he fired home with just five minutes from time.

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Goal of the day: Ola John (Twente) vs Steaua Bucureşti

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:04:00 +0000

Ola John's splendid lob eight minutes into the second half earned FC Twente a vital 1-0 away victory over Steaua Bucureşti in the Romanian capital.


Ola John celebrates a goal against Steaua Bucureşti with his FC Twente team-mates Photo: Reuters

Neither side looked capable of possessing sufficient cutting edge in areas of danger and, with incision so eminently in short supply, it required either error or inspiration to break the deadlock.

John's goal had both bundled into one, collecting a loose defensive pass and confidently lobbing the goalkeeper from 12 yards.

The strike was the only highlight of an otherwise poor match that had few clear chances at either end.

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Goal of the day: Sergei Semak (Zenit) vs Benfica

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:10:00 +0000

Sergei Semak scored one of the goals of the season as Zenit St Petersburg came from behind to edge out Benfica 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.


Zenit St Petersburg player Sergei Semak scores a back-heel goal past Benfica goalkeeper Artur Photo: Getty Images

Maxi Pereira opened the scoring for the visitors 20 minutes in on Wednesday, but Roman Shirokov hit back for the hosts seven minutes later to have things level at half-time.

Half-time substitute Semak then put the Russian champions ahead in the 71st minute with a goal of true quality.

A hopeful ball forward was kept alive brilliantly by Alexander Kerzhakov's flick from the byline to Vladimir Bystrov, who crossed first time for Semak to swivel and knock in a terrific finish with a flying back heel.

A late equaliser from Óscar Cardozo appeared to restore parity for the second leg, but Shirokov rounded off his double with two minutes to go to send the tie to Lisbon on a knife's edge.

"Semak scored a fantastic goal today. It's becoming a bit of a habit for him to get spectacular strikes. In last year's Europa League he also scored a super goal with his left foot," Shirokov told UEFA.com.

Somewhat disappointingly Semak has played down his heroics, saying: "Luck certainly played its part. I was a bit fortunate with the goal; I looked at the situation I was in and took a shot. Luckily for me it managed to go in the bottom corner.

"I don't think it was down to my skill as a footballer − on the contrary, it was down to luck."

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Champions League: AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:19:00 +0000

Arsenal have been left with a mountain to climb to progress in the Champions League after being mauled 4-0 by AC Milan in their round-of-16 first-leg match at the San Siro.

Kevin-Prince Boateng fired the home side ahead on the quarter-hour mark before Robinho doubled the lead with a close-range header.

Brazil international Robinho added his second of the game in the 49th minute and Zlatan Ibrahimović sealed the result - and probably a spot in the quarter-finals - with a penalty 11 minutes from time.

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Champions League: Zenit 3-2 Benfica

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Zenit St Petersburg fought back from a goal down to edge out Benfica 3-2 in a thrilling Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash at the Petrovsky Stadium.

Maxi Pereira put the visitors ahead in freezing conditions in Russia as he fired home in the 21st minute, but Roman Shirokov hit back for the hosts seven minutes later to have things level at half-time.

Sergei Semak's neat backheel gave Zenit the lead at the 71-minute mark before Óscar Cardozo equalised for Benfica three minutes from the end.

But there was still time for more drama, and with a minute remaining Shirokov sprang onto a loose ball to finish coolly past Benfica goalkeeper Artur.

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Serie A: Parma 0-0 Juventus

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:12:00 +0000

Juventus missed the chance to return to the top of Serie A after being held to a goalless draw in their rescheduled clash against Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

The visitors dominated in terms of opportunities but could not find a way through and they remain in second spot, a point behind AC Milan, albeit still with a game in hand on the pacesetters.

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Pic of the day: Carlton Cole's gifts for Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:25:00 +0000

While he may think his joke is hilarious, we doubt that the woman in his life will find it as entertaining.


Photo: @CarltonCole1

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Champions League: Leverkusen 1-3 Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:35:00 +0000

Champions League holders Barcelona took a step towards the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alexis Sánchez broke the deadlock on 41 minutes to give Barcelona a crucial edge at the interval, but the Bundesliga side levelled the scoring seven minutes into the second-half through Michal Kadlec.

But parity lasted only four minutes before Sánchez grabbed his second of the night, latching on to a wonderful threaded ball from Cesc Fàbregas to round Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno and finish from a tight angle.

And Lionel Messi put the result beyond doubt with two minutes to play as he directed a pinpoint cross from Daniel Alves into the net.

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Champions League: Lyon 1-0 APOEL

Champions League: Lyon 1-0 APOEL

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:32:00 +0000

Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal of the game to help Olympique Lyon to a hard-fought 1-0 win over APOEL Nicosia in a one-sided first leg at the Stade Gerland.

The decisive goal came after 58 minutes when Cris played the ball down the left channel for Lacazette, whose powerful shot deflected off APOEL defender Paulo Jorge and looped over goalkeeper Dionisis Chiotis.

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Champions League: Leverkusen 1-3 Barcelona

Goal of the day: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) vs Levante

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 119th goal for Real Madrid and the 4000th in the club's history with a wonderful 30-yard strike in a 4-2 home win over 10-man Levante.


Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his hat-trick with coach José Mourinho Photo: Getty Images

After Gustavo Cabral gave Levante a surprise early lead, Ronaldo got his first from the penalty spot following a handball by Vicente Iborra, who was also dismissed for his second yellow card.

Ronaldo headed home his second five minutes into the second half before completing his hat-trick in some style seven minutes later.

The Portugal international unleashed a shot from outside the area that took a wicked dip over goalkeeper Gustavo Munúa and into goal for his 119th goal in 122 games with the Spanish giants, surpassing the 118 he scored in 292 appearances for Manchester United.

An Arouna Koné header briefly gave a glimmer of hope for Levante but Karim Benzema slotted in a fourth for Real after 65 minutes.

"Cristiano Ronaldo's goal was incredible, fantastic, and I believe it will go around the world during the next few weeks," Madrid coach José Mourinho stated on the post-match press conference.

"The entire team feels so and it was a special strike for Cristiano. It was the 4,000th strike at the Santiago Bernabéu and he deserves it."

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Premier League: Aston Villa 0-1 Man City

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:05:00 +0000

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The only goal of the game came after 63 minutes as James Milner's corner corner to the far post was met by a knock back from Gareth Barry into the danger area of the six-yard box for Joleon Lescott to delightfully hook home.

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La Liga: Real Madrid 4-2 Levante

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Real Madrid came from a goal down to beat 10-man Levante 4-2 at home and move 10 points clear at the La Liga summit.

Gustavo Cabral headed Levante into a surprise early lead, but the 43rd-minute dismissal of Vicente Iborra, who picked up a second booking for handling in the area, swung the game in the hosts' favour.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account from the resulting spot-kick before adding another five minutes into the second half and completing his treble with a wonderful long-range effort in the 57th minute.

Levante refused to lie down and pulled a goal back on 63 minutes through Arouna Koné, but Karim Benzema made the game safe three minutes later when he curled home an exquisite fourth.

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La Liga: Osasuna 3-2 Barcelona

Serie A: Inter Milan 0-1 Novara

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:59:00 +0000

Rock-bottom Novara claimed a first Serie A away win in 56 years following a surprise 1-0 success at Inter Milan.

Andrea Caracciolo scored the game's only goal on 56 minutes when he took the ball down well before turning inside and curling his shot unstoppably into the far corner.

The visitors even held onto the win with just 10 men for the last 10 minutes of the game after Ivan Radovanović was sent off for petulantly kicking the ball away after Yuto Nagatomo was awarded a free-kick.

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Serie A: Udinese 1-2 AC Milan

Top 10 Goals of 2012 Africa Cup of Nations

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:33:00 +0000

Here is a compilation of the best goals in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. So sit back and enjoy.

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Goal of the day: Juan Arango (Borussia M'gladbach) vs Schalke

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Juan Arango scored a fantastic, tricky free-kick as Borussia Mönchengladbach enjoyed a 3-0 win at home to Schalke 04 on Saturday.


Borussia Mönchengladbach player Juan Arango scores a goal from a free-kick against Schalke Photo: Getty Images

Marco Reus put Gladbach in front in the second minute before Mike Hanke added the second in the 15th minute.

Arango made it three in the 32nd minute with a well-worked free-kick from almost 25 yards.

It was an indirect free-kick but Arango touched the ball to Reus, who stopped it dead, allowing him to lift it over the wall and in off the underside of the crossbar.

In the end, three goals was enough for the hosts, who moved just three points behind Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.

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Sir Alex Ferguson Moves Like Jagger

noreply@blogger.com (r1ooooo) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:18:00 +0000

Just some classic dance moves from Sir Alex Ferguson. Enjoy!

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