Someone Actually Touched Messi

((HT: beINSports))

Barcelona played Malaga today in La Liga and it appeared that the back line for Malaga wasn't going to roll over for anyone...

Much less Messi...

The weird thing about the whole exchange was that Weligton and Pique each got yellows when a red card REALLY would have been appropriate.

How good was Malaga's defense...???

Barcelona were held without a shot on goal in a league game for the first time in the past 11 seasons...

That good...

The Other Semi Is Set In Brazil

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

And it was one side that showed its prowess and another who escaped from Cinderella...

In the first game of the day Argentina got an early strike and rode it to a 1-0 win over a spirited Belgium side. And, with everyone looking at Lionel Messi as the man to keep in check, it was Higuain and the other nine to pick up the slack


The nightcap was Costa Rica and the Netherlands. Everyone was looking for the Oranje to steamroll the upstart of the final 8, but the Ticos made them earn it- going scoreless through 90 and extra time- forcing the Dutch to penalty kicks. Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal made an interesting switch leading to the kicks, swapping out goaltenders- bringing in Newcastle's Tim Krul for the final act.

The gamble worked


News on Neymar from the Brazilian physicians have him back being active in 40-45 days- certainly good news for the sport as FIFA will examine the knee to the back that caused the injury.

World Cup: Messi Makes Sure Argentina Takes Down Nigeria

Yes, you can argue about a handful of soccer players who depending on the game and day can be christened, "The Greatest in the World".

But Lionel Messi of Argentina is proving it on the field.

Messi had 2 goals to lead Argentina to a 3-2 win over Nigeria Tuesday afternoon, propelling his team to a Group F win.

The Argentinians move on to the next round and Messi leads all players with 4 goals.

However, it must be added that the game was a 2-2 draw until Marcos Rojo scored midway through the 2nd period in what proved to be the game-winner.

And we should add the Nigerians will be moving on as well, courtesy of an Iran loss to Bosnia-Hersogovenia.

ESPN.com provides the highlights:

Momma, There Goes That Man Again... Messi For The Win

((HT: ESPN/FIFA/gfutbol32's Vine))

Iran held with the Argentinians for 90-plus minutes, for what would have been their greatest moment ever in the national sport, but it took (naturally) another moment from one of the best in the world for the three points.

See just how ridiculous the game-winner was


And on their way to the knockout stage they go...

Here's the long version

El Clasico Certainly Was

((HT: La Liga/Star Sports))

When Benzema put Real Madrid in front of Barcelona 2-1, you thought it was going to be a two-team race for the top of the La Liga ladder. But if you thought that, you were sadly mistaken...

A Messi hat trick (of course) put FCB in front for a hotly and highly-contested 4-3 final that puts these two teams and Athletico Madrid all separated by one point in the top of the table...

Here's the goals...


Cristiano, of course, after the match felt he wuz robbed...via Football Espana

“We played against 12. It's always the same. They don't allow us. Maybe they wanted Barca back in the League. I don't want to leave this inside of me and I’m not looking for excuses, but the ref is not at the required level for a game like this. If Barca lost today they would have been out. After five years here, I understand how things work."

He also promised the team would win the league and feels Real Madrid never gets their calls in game...

Ah, rivalry...

Messi Sets History at 26

((HT: beINSports USA))

370 Goals for Lionel Messi by the age of 26...

Lionel Messi has become FCBarcelona's all-time top scorer- passing Paulino Alcantara
Here's 370...

Post by beIN SPORTS USA.

This Loss Could Cost Barca The Title...

((HT: La Liga))

All it took was Fausto Rossi's first of the season 16 minutes in to make the HQ wonder what may really be wrong with Lionel Messi...


Valladolid's shocker 1-0 win over Barca may cost them the title down the line...

Now, it's up to Atletico Madrid, who visit Celta Vigo later on Saturday, and Real Madrid, who host Levante on Sunday to figure out how the standings will shake out after this weekend...

Champions League: Barca and PSG Roll

((HT: UEFA/youtube))

Barcelona has had traditional issues winning in Manchester, but that went away today with a 2-0 win over Manchester City.

A Demichelis red led to a Messi PK and Dani Alves scored in the end for a comfortable win


And PSG blew out Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 off an Ibra double...
It wasn't even that close...


Leverkusen is even thinking about resting players in the away leg if the series since things are so out of hand in their match-up...

Atleti and Milan go tomorrow as well as Arsenal and Bayern Munich...

Messi Does It Again...

((HT: beinsportsUSA vine))

Or... another normal day at work...

Barca was down 1-0 in the slop at the Bernabeu, but then Barca woke up...

This goal by Messi gave them the lead heading into the locker room...


See...???
Normal...

Cristiano Ronaldo Responds To Sepp Blatter's Impression

So, it all starts with "the" question everyone wants to ask FIFA head Sepp Blatter about who is the greatest footballer on this or any other planet at present...

Go, Oxford kid...
((HT: Oxford Union))


And, then, CR7 goes off for a hat trick in a 7-3 win for Real Madrid yesterday and does this...
Go, Commander...


So much for all those Twitter pleasantries, eh kids...???

OSG Clasico: Barca Up At The Break (UPDATED W/Barca 2-1 Win)

((HT: beINSport))

And here's how... it had nothing to do with Messi or CR7

Post by beIN SPORT USA.

The game is being seen by a billion people- about three times the Roman Numeral Clasico played here in the States...

Chew on that for a second...

More game details at the final whistle...

PM UPDATE: A ridiculous goal by Alexis Sanchez gave Barca enough cushion to survive el Clasico, 2-1. But one point of contention for the Real fans came from this no-call that should have given an equalizer to the visitors...
((HT: beINSport via Instagram))


Oh, here's the Sanchez goal... see for yourself...

Messi Matches Ronaldo Hat Trick With One Himself

((HT: Fox Soccer/UEFA))

When Ronaldo had a hat trick of his own yesterday, the HQ thought that someone would match the effort today...

And, yep, it was Messi...

After a bit of a slow start, Barca took care of Ajax in the first end of their home-and-home...

Here's the highlights...


The only real surprise on Day Two of the Group stage was perpetual pain in the ass Basel as they scored two late to beat Chelsea. Other winners included Arsenal, Napoli, and AC Milan...

Bayern Slaps Around Barca

((HT: UEFA/Fox Soccer))

There are times that, in soccer, that half a Messi would be worth facing a full Messi and teams would still cower in fear over facing FC Barcelona...

Today in Munich, in the first round of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, was not one of those times...

An admittedly banged-up defense and Messi on one leg combined with a very physical roster of Bayern Munich gave the home squad a 4-0 win and poises them only 90 minutes at Camp Neu away from playing for the trophy.

Here's the Bayern highlights...since there aren't really any Barca highlights...


It was Barcelona's biggest loss in the Champions League since 1997, a 4-0 defeat to Dynamo Kiev in the group stage in 1997.

Barca Survives Scare With PSG, Joins UCL Semis

((HT: UEFA/Fox Soccer))

The question the HQ asks is somewhat rhetorical...

Just how influential a player is Lionel Messi for Barcelona...???

Answer... a whole freaking lot...

Barca looked somewhat skittish in their home half of their quarterfinal against PSG. Messi didn't start because of temporary gimpiness and the lack of offense showed as the visitors took advantage behind Pastore's goal early in the second half.

But down 1-0 and in need of an equalizer, manager Jose Mourinho decided to bring the ace out of his sleeve...

And Messi made a difference- evne if he didn't touch the ball...

But, when he did, it was the standard amount of magic... enough magic for Barca to advance to the semis with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund...

Here's the highlights...

El Clasico... Was... Again...

((HT: LFL/youtube))

We're not even really going to talk about it...
Let's just show you... and the Messi free kick was ridiculous...


See...???
we told you...

Messi Wasn't Against Bayern Leverkusen

((HT: FoxSports/UEFA))

There, simply, are no words...
He went off... more than anyone else ever has...