Madrid beat Barca 2-1 to lift Spanish Super Cup

Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo struck first-half goals asReal Madrid beat 10-man Barcelona 2-1 to lift the Spanish Super Cup before a full house at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

With last Thursday's first leg at Camp Nou having ended in a 3-2Barca victory, Madrid took the title on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw.

All the action came in an exciting first half, where Lionel Messireplied with a brilliant free-kick for Barcelona, who had previously lost Adriano to a straight red card for a last-man foul on Ronaldo.

It was a timely success for Madrid, who have already fallen five points behind arch rivals Barca in La Liga after a draw and a loss in their first two league games.

"The team went out well from the start and created chances, got the goals and then they (Barcelona) went down to 10 men," said Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka.

"After all that, the result was a lot closer than we expected, but we're happy to lift the trophy. We got a reaction from our players and that's the important thing."

Barca coach Tito Vilanova said he was pleased with his players' response after a difficult start.

"I congratulate Madrid on their win, but I felt proud of our performance with only 10 men, especially in the second half, where we had five good chances to level the game," he said.

With the tie finely balanced, both sides started with near full-strength teams.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho kept faith with Higuain, who had scored in consecutive league games, leaving Karim Benzema to start on the bench with Luka Modric, who made his first appearance for Madrid after signing on Monday.

Barca, however, had to cope with a problem just before kick-off when Jordi Alba replaced Dani Alves, who seemed to pick up an injury in the warm-up.

Madrid were quick out of the blocks and goalkeeper Victor Valdes made a superb block from Higuain on seven minutes to stop a certain opener.

However, three minutes later he could do nothing in a similar situation after Javier Mascherano had misjudged the flight of a long ball out of defence from Pepe. Again Higuain found himself in space and this time he slotted home.

Marcelo went close before Ronaldo doubled Madrid's lead on 18 minutes.

Again it was a long ball out of defence that troubled Barca.

This time Gerard Pique failed to clear a Sami Khedira ball and the Portuguese star pounced on the loose ball to advance on goal and finally, after a quick check-back, beat Valdes with a low shot to claim Madrid's second of the evening.

It got worse for Barca when Adriano received his marching orders on 27 minutes for a trip on Ronaldo, who was running on to another long ball out of defence.

Barca made their first real attack of the evening in the 36th minute, but nobody was able to connect with Andres Iniesta's dangerous cross.

Messi then struck with a perfectly curled free-kick to reduce Madrid's lead.

The second half could not continue at the same pace and, as Barca gained more possession and settled into a more comfortable passing game, chances became rare.

Pedro Rodriguez came close to levelling for Barca on 62 minutes, latching onto a long ball only for Iker Casillas to stop brilliantly with his feet.

At the other end, Valdes saved from Khedira but Barca were controlling the game, despite the numerical disadvantage, and the home crowd was getting restless.

Those nerves were not helped on 79 minutes when Higuain's shot agonisingly drifted to the foot of the post after beating a retreating Valdes.

Modric was then introduced to a standing ovation for his first taste of life as a Madrid player, Alex Song having earlier entered the fray to do the same for Barca.

What they both experienced was a frantic finish.

Messi came close to taking the title back to Catalunya in injury time with a shot that flashed wide from the edge of the box, but Madrid held on to trigger joyous celebrations in the Spanish capital.

Rodgers under pressure to avoid broken Hearts

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been told the pressure is all on his side as they attempt to secure their place in the group phase of the Europa League.

The Reds will defend a single-goal advantage against Scottish side Hearts in Thursday's play-off second leg at Anfield after an own goal from Andy Webster proved the difference in the first leg at Tynecastle.

Liverpool's edgy victory in Edinburgh was a rare high point so far after an opening day Premier League defeat at West Bromwich Albion and a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.

While the Europa League is relatively low down Liverpool's list of priorities, reaching the group stages would buy new boss Rodgers a little more breathing space as he tries to stamp his authority on the club.

Yet Rodgers is again set to gamble by giving his squad players a chance to impress in the second leg after resting several stars including captain Steven Gerrard for the Tynecastle clash.

And Liverpool have been warned that their opponents, unbeaten in domestic Scottish competition this season, will do everything in their power to take advantage by springing a surprise.

Goalkeeper Jamie Macdonald believes John McGlynn's side could upset the odds at Anfield and he said: "Liverpool will want to put a performance on for their fans but we'll go there without fear. It's an opportunity for us to do something special.

"Anfield is such an historic place with so many great moments in European football having happened there. hopefully we can do something great to add to them.

"The pressure's not on us. They're the favourites, but on the night, anything can happen. There's a belief in the camp."

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, the England Under-19 international who stood out in the first leg and against defending Premier League champions City, is likely to be handed another chance to impress despite this week's video nasty.

Footage has emerged of Rodgers critising the super-confident teenager during the club's pre-season tour of the United States.

The training ground dressing-down, caught by a fly-on-the-wall documentary on the club set to be aired later this year, shows Rodgers questioning the young midfielder's attitude after he unwisely answered back to the no-nonsense Anfield manager.

Rodgers singled Sterling out during a training debrief after the youngster interrupts his team talk - and told the player he'd be on the next plane home if he didn't listen.

When Sterling tried to answer back, Rodgers said: "You say 'steady' to me again when I say something to you and you'll be on the first plane back."

The stern talking-to seems to have worked, and speaking this week, Rodgers said: "I have seen a lot of development in Raheem in a short time. He takes on a lot of the concepts and he is very good with instructions.

"He's a young player who has improved every single day since I came here, and his performance against Manchester City was fantastic."

Hearts are likely to have to make changes of their own. Lithuanian international defender Marius Zaliukas is a doubt for the visitors with a dead leg, and keeper Macdonald added: "We'll get heavily beaten if we're not careful but what's the point in going there if we don't think we can win?"

McGlynn admits his side will be up against it if they fail to claim the first goal, and the manager added: "If we lose the first goal we've got to score two so we need to score first. Having said that, we still need to be patient."

Football: Madrid beat Barca 2-1 to lift Spanish Super Cup

Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo struck first-half goals asReal Madrid beat 10-man Barcelona 2-1 to lift the Spanish Super Cup before a full house at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

With last Thursday's first leg at Camp Nou having ended in a 3-2Barca victory, Madrid took the title on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw.

All the action came in an exciting first half, where Lionel Messireplied with a brilliant free-kick for Barcelona, who had previously lost Adriano to a straight red card for a last-man foul on Ronaldo.

It was a timely success for Madrid, who have already fallen five points behind arch rivals Barca in La Liga after a draw and a loss in their first two league games.

"The team went out well from the start and created chances, got the goals and then they (Barcelona) went down to 10 men," said Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka.

"After all that, the result was a lot closer than we expected, but we're happy to lift the trophy. We got a reaction from our players and that's the important thing."

Barca coach Tito Vilanova said he was pleased with his players' response after a difficult start.

"I congratulate Madrid on their win, but I felt proud of our performance with only 10 men, especially in the second half, where we had five good chances to level the game," he said.

With the tie finely balanced, both sides started with near full-strength teams.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho kept faith with Higuain, who had scored in consecutive league games, leaving Karim Benzema to start on the bench with Luka Modric, who made his first appearance for Madrid after signing on Monday.

Barca, however, had to cope with a problem just before kick-off when Jordi Alba replaced Dani Alves, who seemed to pick up an injury in the warm-up.

Madrid were quick out of the blocks and goalkeeper Victor Valdes made a superb block from Higuain on seven minutes to stop a certain opener.

However, three minutes later he could do nothing in a similar situation after Javier Mascherano had misjudged the flight of a long ball out of defence from Pepe. Again Higuain found himself in space and this time he slotted home.

Marcelo went close before Ronaldo doubled Madrid's lead on 18 minutes.

Again it was a long ball out of defence that troubled Barca.

This time Gerard Pique failed to clear a Sami Khedira ball and the Portuguese star pounced on the loose ball to advance on goal and finally, after a quick check-back, beat Valdes with a low shot to claim Madrid's second of the evening.

It got worse for Barca when Adriano received his marching orders on 27 minutes for a trip on Ronaldo, who was running on to another long ball out of defence.

Barca made their first real attack of the evening in the 36th minute, but nobody was able to connect with Andres Iniesta's dangerous cross.

Messi then struck with a perfectly curled free-kick to reduce Madrid's lead.

The second half could not continue at the same pace and, as Barca gained more possession and settled into a more comfortable passing game, chances became rare.

Pedro Rodriguez came close to levelling for Barca on 62 minutes, latching onto a long ball only for Iker Casillas to stop brilliantly with his feet.

At the other end, Valdes saved from Khedira but Barca were controlling the game, despite the numerical disadvantage, and the home crowd was getting restless.

Those nerves were not helped on 79 minutes when Higuain's shot agonisingly drifted to the foot of the post after beating a retreating Valdes.

Modric was then introduced to a standing ovation for his first taste of life as a Madrid player, Alex Song having earlier entered the fray to do the same for Barca.

What they both experienced was a frantic finish.

Messi came close to taking the title back to Catalunya in injury time with a shot that flashed wide from the edge of the box, but Madrid held on to trigger joyous celebrations in the Spanish capital.

QPR boss Hughes confirms Cesar deal is close

QPR manager Mark Hughes has revealed his Premier League club are close to completing the surprise signing of Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Cesar helped Italian giants Inter win the Champions League in 2010, but Hughes appears to have persuaded the Brazil international to swap the San Siro for Loftus Road.

After Robert Green, a pre-season signing from West Ham, made a rocky start to the campaign, Hughes moved for Cesar, who was at the west London club on Tuesday to discuss terms before QPR's 3-0League Cup second round victory over Walsall.

"Sometimes when opportunities present itself you want to pursue them," Hughes said.

"We're not at a point where we can actually say it's a done deal. The intention is there obviously if we can but at the moment it's not concluded.

"When you get an opportunity to possibly bring a player of the quality Julio Cesar's quality, with his playing record and his mentality, then I think you have to pursue to its conclusion.

"I think when we started the process we probably never thought there was an opportunity or chance he would be able to come here. If we are able to conclude it, we'll be delighted."

Saints sign Mayuka from Young Boys

Premier League newcomers Southampton signed Zambia strikerEmmanuel Mayuka from Young Boys Berne for an undisclosed fee on Tuesday.

Mayuka agreed a five-year contract after passing a medical with Nigel Adkins' side on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old has already been granted a work permit and Saints are now awaiting entry clearance for the deal to be fully ratified, which could happen in time for the forward to make his debut in Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester United at St Mary's.

Mayuka has scored 10 goals for Zambia, including three in their victorious African Cup of Nations campaign earlier this year, and Adkins told Southampton's website: "Emmanuel is a lightning-quick striker who I am sure will excite the fans.

"He is only 21 years old but already has a great deal of experience, notably so at international level.

"He will bring something different to the group that we already have here at Southampton, and I look forward to seeing him pull on our shirt for the first time."

Celtic have Champions League group stage in sight

Celtic will rely on an impressive European home record as they seek to finish the job against Helsingborgs on Wednesday and reach the Champions League group stage for the first time in four years.

Neil Lennon's side are 2-0 up from last week's first leg in Sweden, with goals from Kris Commons and Giorgos Samaras leaving the Scottish champions in the driving seat.

Celtic's recent record in continental competitions has been poor, hence their absence from the Champions League proper since 2008-09, when they bowed out with just five points from six group games.

However, their Parkhead home has always been a testing venue for visiting sides, with Celtic having lost just one of their last eight European games in Glasgow's east end.

After watching his side win 4-2 at Inverness on Saturday to return to the top of the Scottish Premier League, manager Lennon is now keeping his fingers crossed that they can finish the job in Europe.

"The tie is still to be won," said the Northern Irishman.

"The expectation level has gone through the roof and everyone has us in the Champions League already.

"I don't. We still have to play a really tough game. But I've had a good feeling from the players. They really are motivated. They are in a great position after the first leg.

"Helsingborgs proved they are good opposition but with our form at home, I'd expect us to play strongly."

Borussia Moenchengladbach coach Lucien Favre admitted that the Foals, European Cup finalists in 1977, have their work cut out if they are to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit when they face Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine.

"When you make mistakes like we did, it is hard to get a good result," he said after seeing his side surrender an early lead in Germany.

"But in football, anything is possible."

Elsewhere, Lille of France will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they host FC Copenhagen.

The 10 play-off winners will join 22 automatic qualifiers in Thursday's group phase draw in Monaco.

Real crash to shock defeat at neighbours Getafe

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid's troubled start to the season continued when the champions squandered the lead and slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at city rivals Getafe on Sunday to slip five points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

The rare domestic reverse for Jose Mourinho's side, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia last weekend, ended a 24-match unbeaten run in the league, their longest in 15 years.

They looked comfortably in control when Gonzalo Higuain fired them ahead from close range in the 27th minute at the Coliseum in Madrid.

But their failure to capitalise on long periods of possession ultimately cost them and lowly Getafe levelled eight minutes after the break when Juan Valera nodded past Iker Casillas from a free-kick.

It went from bad to worse for the visitors 15 minutes from time when substitute Adrian Colunga set up Abdelaziz Barrada to smash the ball high into the net and secure a famous victory.

Real's misery was compounded when defender Fabio Coentrao was sent from the bench for protesting late on and will be suspended for next weekend's match at home to Granada.

"We were unable to close out the game," Real's Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso said in an interview with Spanish TV.

"Obviously we have to improve and we are self-critical but we have to take things slowly.

"It was a setback we really weren't expecting and we have to change the dynamic as soon as possible."

Lionel Messi had earlier saved an off-colour Barca from a first defeat of the campaign when he struck twice in the second half in a 2-1 comeback victory at 10-man Osasuna.

Barca have six points from two games and top the table on goal difference from Rayo Vallecano, who also have six after their 2-1 win at Real Betis on Saturday.

Valencia failed to build on their impressive result at Real when they let slip a 2-0 lead and had Ricardo Costa sent off in a 3-3 draw at home to promoted Deportivo Coruna in the late kickoff and are 12th on two points.

Real, who lost a league match for the first time after leading at the break in more than five years, have a solitary point and are down in 15th.

They now need to regroup for Wednesday's Spanish Super Cup second leg at home to Barca, when they will be attempting to overturn a 3-2 deficit from last week's first leg at the Nou Camp.

SHOCK LEAD

Barca fell 3-2 to Osasuna on a freezing February night last season but there was to be no repeat on a balmy summer evening in Pamplona as World Player of the Year Messi took his tally to four goals from two games.

Joseba Llorente gave the Navarrans a surprise 17th-minute lead when he hooked in at the far post from a tight angle.

Clad in their unfamiliar bright orange and yellow kit, Barca struggled to create chances and almost fell two behind midway through the second half when substitute Nino broke clear, but his shot spun out of play off the outside of a post.

The game turned in the 76th minute when Messi stretched to poke in an Alexis Sanchez centre, after which Osasuna midfielder Patxi Punal was shown a straight red card for his furious protests.

Messi, who set a La Liga scoring record of 50 goals last term, grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time, stroking a Jordi Alba centre low into the net from the edge of the area.

Barca's new coach Tito Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola at the end of last season, blotted his away league debut when he was sent from the bench for protesting a decision moments after Nino's failed effort.

"The sending off was excessive as I didn't say anything that strong," he told a news conference. "We have to praise the capacity we showed in turning the game around.

"That means we are strong because doing that at this stadium you have to be mentally tough and ambitious."

Dismal Milan beaten at home by Sampdoria

MILAN (Reuters) - AC Milan, hit by a flurry of close season departures, fully justified their fans' trepidation over the new season by losing 1-0 at home to promoted Sampdoria in their opening Serie A match on Sunday.

Andrea Costa headed the only goal for the visitors just before the hour to stun a half-empty San Siro on a hot, summer evening, making it painfully obvious that the 18-times Italian champions are in for a long, difficult season.

Milan were disjointed and sluggish before the goal, although they greatly improved after striker Robinho was substituted immediately afterwards.

In the final half hour, Mario Yepes and Kevin-Prince Boateng both hit the post for Milan and Urby Emanuelson had a shot headed off the line in stoppage time while Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero performed heroics for the visitors.

The win left Sampdoria on two points after they had a point deducted over their involvement in the Calcioscomesse match-fixing scandal before the season started.

Robinho reacted angrily to his substitution although coach Massimiliano Allegri had little choice after the Brazilian wasted several good openings with his inability to pass to better-placed team mates.

Milan suffered a host of departures in the close season, headed by talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahomivic and defender Thiago Silva who headed for wealthy Paris St Germain.

Antonio Cassano, who joined rivals Inter Milan in a swap with Giampaolo Pazzini, Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf were among others to leave the club.

They also had injury-plagued Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato once again on the sidelines.

The first half saw almost no real openings although Sampdoria striker Eder tested goalkeeper Christian Abbiati with a snapshot.

Robinho wasted three good attacks at the start of the second half before Sampdoria went ahead when Costa headed in almost unchallenged from a corner in the 58th minute.

Although Milan's attacks had an air of desperation around them, they at least began creating chances after Robinho went off.

A Yepes header was pushed onto the post by Romero, who also managed to grab the ball off the rebound even though he was still on the ground.

Boateng fired a curling effort against the post from 25-metres and was also denied by Romero as was substitute Kevin Constant.

When Romero was beaten in stoppage time by Emanuelson's shot, one of his defenders was on hand to head the ball off the line and leave Milan to face the inevitable barrage of criticism.

Liverpool seek to bounce back in trip to Scotland

Liverpool can put the disappointment of their opening Premier League game under new coach Brendan Rodgers behind them when they head north of the border to face Hearts in their Europa League play-off first leg on Thursday.

The Anfield club suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, leaving Rodgers to insist that he will need time to turn their fortunes around.
The pressure will be very much on if they slip up against the Scottish Cup holders in Edinburgh, but captain Steven Gerrard is confident that Liverpool can get back on track.
"It's important that the likes of myself and the other experienced players take responsibility for a poor defeat," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"We have to put it behind us. We've got to dust ourselves down and bounce back against Hearts on Thursday night. We have to react in the right manner and look to put things right in the coming games."
It would be a huge shock if Liverpool -- who edged out Gomel of Belarus in the third qualifying round -- failed to come through this two-legged tie and take a place in the group stage of the competition.
However, what in the past would have been classed as a 'Battle of Britain' is now something of a mismatch.
Where once Scottish clubs were able to compete more or less on a par with their southern neighbours, the vast sums of money thrown at the English game over the last two decades have left them lagging behind.
While the Anfield board have reportedly splashed out close to £30 million ($47.3 million) on Joe Allen, Fabio Borini and Oussama Assaidi this summer, cash-strapped Hearts have seen a whole host of players leave without being able to replace them.
A year ago the Jam Tarts lost 5-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur at the same stage of the competition, while on Saturday they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by 10-man Inverness in the Scottish Premier League.
"It's a totally different kettle of fish, playing against Liverpool, and we'll have to rise to the challenge," says Hearts manager John McGlynn.
"They're obviously a fantastic football club. They suffered a 3-0 defeat themselves on Saturday but only time will tell whether that is an advantage or disadvantage to us."
Elsewhere, Newcastle United will face Greek club Atromitos in Athens.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who saw his side beat Tottenham 2-1 in their Premier League opener at the weekend, is likely to rest key players with Saturday's trip to Chelsea in mind, while Hatem Ben Arfa is suspended.
"The fact we will have to juggle our playing staff for the Premier League and the Europa League fixtures means we have to take a bit of a gamble with our chances of progressing in Europe," admitted Pardew.
"There isn't a lot of money in it, not unless you win the thing. Not compared to the Premier League.
"I am still, of course, looking forward to the challenge. You want to pit your wits against other nationalities, other managers with different types of football."
In other games, Scottish side Motherwell face Spain's Levante, who are competing in Europe for the first time, last season's runners-up Athletic Bilbao face HJK Helsinki, and Inter Milan take on Vaslui of Romania.
Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart face Dinamo Moscow, whose line-up includes former Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi.
And big-spending Russians Anzhi Makhachkala, coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, face AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands, who were quarter-finalists last season.

Chelsea recruit Hazard promises better to come

Eden Hazard insists there is more to come after his sparkling Premier League debut -- but is adamant he has no concerns about handling the physical nature of English football.

The Chelsea playmaker, 21, wasted no time making his mark following his £32 million summer move from Lille, setting up two goals inside seven minutes of his side's league opener at Wigan.

Hazard's contribution ensured Roberto Di Matteo's side got off to a winning start and they will attempt to build on that success when Reading visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

His eye-catching efforts also made him the target for some heavy challenges, but the Belgium international was quick to dismiss the attention he received.

He said: "I already had a taste of these kind of tackles in the Community Shield.

"I was kicked quite a bit in the first half against Wigan but, in France, it was already like that for me.

"I wasn't aware I was the most fouled player in the match, I wasn't counting them."

Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar are expected to contest the positions in support of the main striker Fernando Torres and the Belgian believes it will take time to properly bed in.

He added: "There are still a lot of things I can do better. I lost a lot of balls in the second half, but I contributed what was asked of me. I was asked to be decisive and I was, with the penalty and an assist."

"I started as the number 10 and then afterwards with Mata, we tried to interchange positions rather than stay in the same place and I think we worked rather well.

"Oscar has just arrived and we haven't had the time to work together. We have only had one training session so far but, little by little, we should get things to where they should be."

Drawing the best from his new players is one of the challenges confronting Di Matteo but defender Branislav Ivanovic is convinced the arrival of the new players can boost the club's title challenge.

The Serbia international said: "Do the new players excite everyone? Yes, of course.

"You have to have a big and good enough squad and that is what we have.

"The new players are great. During the pre-season, they have shown they have fantastic quality and we have changed a lot as a team because all of them are so creative.

"They have given us the pace we needed. They are great players and every team needs this kind of quality."

Oscar could make his full debut following his substitute appearance at Wigan while fellow Brazilian Ramires comes back into contention after illness.
Chelsea will be expected to maintain their 100 percent start against newly promoted Reading who started the campaign with a home draw against Stoke City on the opening day.
Brian McDermott's side emerged as the surprise winners of the Championship last season and, after finding their feet against Stoke, keeper Adam Federici insists they won't be overawed by the prospect of facing the Champions League winners.

He said: "I'm looking forward to the challenge and I am sure all the other boys will be. I've played against Torres before in a cup game and he scored a hat-trick, it will be a good test for us.

"The boys worked extremely hard against Stoke, they are a big strong team and we matched them in every department. We got the deserved point and looking back we were a bit unlucky not to get all three."