Sports

A Cristiano Ronaldo goal in the first half of extra time decided the Spanish Cup final. Barça had plenty of chances, but Real Madrid finished up 1-0 winners.

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid go head to head tonight (21.30) in the Copa del Rey final in Mestalla. Barça are seeking their second trophy of the season, while Madrid will look to end their poor run against the Catalans.

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will play again on Wednesday, now it's time for the Spanish Cup final. In the final, Guardiola is not planning to change the approach he has faithfully stood by since taking over as manager. He considers the opportunity to play the final against Madrid to be “a gift”.

Up to seven FC Barcelona players have never participated in a Spanish Cup Final. Iniesta, for example, will experience for the first time, this Wednesday, what it is like to play in the Cup Final

FC Barcelona have taken a point from their trip to the Santiago Bernabéu and maintain their eight-point lead on Real Madrid with just 18 left to play for. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goals, both from the penalty spot.

Two of the best teams in Europe meet on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid have the best home record in Spain this season, and FC Barcelona are the best team on the road.

FC Barcelona made it into the semi finals of the Champions League without having to suffer for it by winning 1-0 away to Shakhtar. A Messi goal before the break banished any fears of the Ukrainians putting together a comeback.

Despite the 5-1 lead from the first leg, Pep Guardiola continues to preach caution: “in football and in sport as a whole, anything can happen”, whilst stressing the importance of Tuesday’s game :”we are on the verge of reaching the semis for the fourth year on the run”.

Barça came from behind to take three vital points and beat Almeria 3-1 at the Nou Camp tonight with a goal from Thiago and two from Messi, one a penalty, that send them to the Bernabeu next week with an 8 point lead.

Once again, Josep Guardiola tried to curb overconfidence before the home game against Almeria. Football is full of surprises and Sporting Gijon and Schalke 04 are clear examples. It will be a game where we won’t let the 3 points escape.

FC Barcelona have a foot and a half in the semi finals of the Champions League thanks to a 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Camp Nou. In a gripping game, all of Iniesta, Alves, Piqué, Keita and Xavi found the target.

FC Barcelona's coah Pep Guardiola is worried about Shakhtar Donetsk, which he qualifies as a great side. He is also worried that people are getting too excited about their strong league position and a theoretically beatable opponent in the Champions League.

The team chalked up their 13th away win of the league season at Villarreal on Saturday –equalling the the 2008/2009 and 2009/10 seasons and with four games left to play on the road, they are closing on a new record.

FC Barcelona have won away to Villarreal and are now eight points clear at the top of the table. Piqué’s second half goal was the reward for a game in which Barça were by far the better side, and Valdés was outstanding in goal.

Barça manager Pep Guardiola believes that what wins a title is not fitness or tactics, but “the desire to be champions”. FC Barcelona will play against Villareal tomorrow, after Spanish League’s two week break.