Argentina Secures Top Spot

Argentina Continues Winning form under Messi

Diego Maradona's Argentina secured a hard fought 2-0 victory against a ultra-defensive Greece. If you felt that you were watching the Inter-Barca second leg, you could be very much forgiven. It was kind of bizzarre. Greece needed to win this to make sure about progressing but they had 4 centre backs and two full backs on the pitch and forget the defensive minded midfielders. Still Samaras as the lone striker created enough problem for a make shift Argentinian back four. The highlight of the match was once again Messi failing to get into the scoresheet. He came close hitting the woodwork but Palermo was the lucky one who scored from the rebound.

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Fernando Torres on Rosell's Radar

From the moment Sandro Rosell was elected, Fernando Torres became the primary transfer target for FC Barcelona ahead of Cesc Fabregas. This doesn't mean the club is not interested in securing the signature of Fabregas. It is rumoured that Rosell is having a great friendship with Torres and he can use recent turmoil in Liverpool to bring the former Athletico Madrid striker to Camp Nou. Many Barca fans have questioned the reasoning behind going for Torres as we have both Villa and Ibrahimovic in the team. But there is a growing belief that Ibrahimovic may make a move away from Camp Nou before the transfer market closes. But still signing Torres could have it's pros and cons.

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David Villa Brace Keeps Spain Alive

A splendid David Villa brace kept Spanish hopes alive in this World Cup. The performance was far better than in the defeat against Switzerland, but it cannot be denied that Spain was rather wasteful infront of the goal. David Villa who could have easily had his hat-trick, missed a penalty and another open chance. While his striking partner Torres, was rather wasteful wasting around four open chances. Now Spain need a victory against Chile to go through to the next round but that is not going to be easy. Iniesta started from the bench in this match whereas Jesu Navas got a rare start on the right. I have to admiot that I am far from impressed by Navas, as he looks a very one-dimensional player and the crosses were all poor. Hope Iniesta is called back for the Chile match.

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Barça Atlètic Secures Promotion

What a historic day for Barca fans, Barca Atletic has secured the promotion to Segunda División after a goalless draw against Sant Andreu. Barca B has earlier won the first leg by a solitary, somewhat controversial goal. Barca Atletic has joined Granada, Ponferradina and Alcorcón earning the honour to play in the Segunda División. The entire list of teams who will be participating in Segunda Division next season are Albacete, Alcorcón, Barcelona Atlètic, Betis, Cartagena, Celta de Vigo, Córdoba, Elche, Gimnàstic de Tarragona, Girona, Granada, Huesca, Las Palmas, Numancia, Ponferradina, Rayo Vallecano, Recreativo, Salamanca, Tenerife, Valladolid, Villarreal B and Xerez. That's hell of a list and to remain there itself will be a hard job for Luis Enrique's boys. The team has come a long way in last two season. Josep Guardiola took over the reigns of Barca B who were in Tercera División at that time and got them promoted to the Segunda División B. Luis Enrique continued the good work and within two seasons got the team promoted to the second level of Spanish Soccer League. To the benefit of teh readers let me remid that Barcelona Atletic will not be eleigible for a promotion to La Liga as the Parent team is playing there.

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Messi and Higuain Lights up World Cup

After a dull first phase of World cup, the tournament has come to life with some splendid goal scoring in the second phase of group clashes. As more and more teams are forced to drop their defensive attitude, more goals should follow. There have been four second phase matches so far and those have already produced 11 goals. Argentina were rather wasteful in their first match against Nigeria. But against South Korea they took their chances and brought out the performance of the tournament so far. Lionel Messi would consider himself unlucky for not scoring goals in these two matches, but boy oh boy, he was involved in everything. Argentina won't mind him not scoring goals as far as he creates these many for his team mates. I have earlier written in my Argentina world cup preview, that it is essential for Maradona to play three of his best players upfront and also the necessity to play Messi behind the other two. It looks like he has done all those, but the selection of Guiterrez as right back could come to haunt him.

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