Messi-led Argentina national team to play in Kerala next year
World Cup-winning Argentinian football team led by iconic Lionel Messi will play in Kochi next year, Kerala State Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday.
Granada thrashed Barcelona 2-0 on Sunday in their La Liga fixture at the Los Carmenes Stadium.
Barcelona’s all-time top scorer Lionel Messi started from the bench and came on as a halftime substitute as his side suffered a shocking defeat to Granada.
With the win, Granada climbed to the top of the points table with 10 points from five matches.
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It is to note that this was reigning champion Barcelona’s worst start to a season in 25 years as they remained seventh in the table with seven points from five outings.
Nigerian central midfielder Ramon Azeez drew the first blood for the hosts in the opening minutes (2nd minute) of the game.
Messi and teenage sensation Ansu Fati were thrown into the mix by coach Ernesto Valverde after halftime to restore normalcy, but Granada doubled their advantage in the 66th minute after Spanish left winger Alvaro Vadillo scored from the penalty spot.
Arturo Vidal, also a second half substitute, handled the ball inside the area and a VAR review spotted that, forcing the referee to point towards the spot. Alvaro Vadillo stepped up and made no mistake to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona could never recover from a two-goal deficit as they succumbed to their second defeat of the season.
On Saturday, Villarreal defeated Valladolid 2-0 at the El Madrigal Stadium on Saturday.
Santi Cazorla scored the opening goal for the hosts in the 77th minute after converting from the spot. In the 89th minute, Javier Ontivros scored the second goal for Villarreal.
Meanwhile, Osasuna played goalless draw with Real Betis. Levante and Eibar also ended up without scoring any goal in the stipulated 90 minutes. Atletico Madrid held 0-0 draw with Celta Vigo.
(With agency inputs)
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