Barcelona looked to be in control at halftime, as they held a 2-0 lead after 45 minutes.  However, Real Madrid would claw their way back, scoring two goals and making things interesting for the fans at Camp Nou down the stretch.  However, they couldn’t get that elusive third goal.  As a result, this Dani Alves strike two minutes into the first half injury time would end up being the goal that put Barcelona through to the next round.

Talk about advancing in style!

You can now make that just one win in the past 13 meetings for Madrid, as Lionel Messi and company were able to come away with the 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but not without enduring some pain from their vicious foes in the process.

In an attempt to slow down Barcelona’s most dangerous player, Madrid defender Pepe stomped on the hand of a fallen Messi.  But as you may have already assumed, that plan didn’t work out too well, seeing as how Messi plays the game with his feet, rather than his hands…

…well, at least most of the time he does.

While chasing down a ball in the opposition’s box, Barcelona’s Spanish striker David Villa landed awkwardly on his left leg, fracturing his tibia in the process.  The injury occurred late in the first half of Barca’s 4-0 semi-final romp over Qatar’s Al Sadd Club.

The injury is expected to keep Villa out of action for approximately six months, which means he will be sidelined for the remainder of Barcelona’s La Liga season, the UEFA Champions League, and probably next summer’s EURO 2012 tournament as well.

Here is a look at the play that could cost Barcelona and Spain dearly.

Hat Tip – [Dirty Tackle]

Earning the majority of those style points was Chivas forward Marco Fabian, who scored two incredible goals, including an picture-perfect bicycle kick golazo that had the entire crowd at Sun Life Stadium on their feet.

For those of you who woke up and thought you were in Bizarro World after seeing the 4-1 score and the following goal, let me assure you that you are not.

Labelled as one of the greatest soccer teams ever assembled, F.C. Barcelona expect to receive royal treatment at almost every country they visit, but not in the United States of America.  Instead, on American soil they are treated no differently than a group of unruly eighth-graders.

That was evident during their recent trip to Washington, where they were hoping to get in a quick practice at National Mall near the White House, only to be tracked down by a disgruntled park ranger who was looking for “the leader of their group.”

We’re not sure if it was Carles Puyol, Lionel Messi, Xavi or Pep Guardiola who assumed that leadership role in this instance, but whoever it was, the language barrier must have been a factor as it was not long before the Barcelona players and staff were packing up their things and leaving the scene on their team bus.

Hat Tip – [The Washington Post]

There is no denying the fact that Lionel Messi is currently the greatest soccer player in the world.  Any individual from any country will agree with that assessment…except for an Argentinean.

For as long as he has been representing his country on the international level, the people of Argentina have continued to argue that Messi’s best only comes out when he is playing for his club team, Barcelona.  The numbers would certainly indicate that.  In 59 career appearances for the Argentine national team, Messi has recorded only 17 goals, an average of one every 3.47 games.  In 177 career appearances with Barcelona, he has recorded 119 goals, an average of one every 1.48 games.  Add to that the fact that he has won five La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies with Barcelona, and zero Copa Americas or FIFA World Cups with Argentina, and it is clear why the Argentine people have grown tired of watching Leo winning trophy after trophy with the Catalans while bringing nothing home to Argentina.

Well if that is the way Argentina feels, Brazil has a solution to their problems:

Make Messi a Brazilian citizen!

Brazilian journalist Renato Maurício Prado of the newspaper Meia Hora has begun circulating a petition to make Messi one of their own.  In his own words, “If the Argentinians don’t want Messi, they can send him over to us.”  He even went so far as to create a photoshopped image with Messi’s face on a Brazilian passport (see image above).

For some time now, the people of Argentina have grown accustomed to calling Messi an Argentine when he is at his best, and a Catalan when he is at his worst.  If they don’t watch out, it may not be long before they are calling him a Brazilian, no matter how good or bad he is playing.

Hat Tip – [Hit The Post]

Samuel Eto’o gave Barcelona the lead just 10 minutes into the match and they would never look back.  Lionel Messi added a second in the 70th minute for his ninth goal of the competition to lead all players.  Messi was named the tournament’s top player.

Having already won the La Liga title as well as the Copa Del Rey earlier in the season, this win completed the treble for FC Barcelona.  They became the first Spanish squad in history to complete the elusive treble.

Here are the two goals from the Championship game.  GOOOOOOAL!!

Notable Birthdays

Ray Sheppard, NHL – Born May 27th 1966 (age 45) in Petawawa, Ontario

Frank Thomas, MLB – Born May 27th 1968 (age 43) in Columbus, Georgia

Jeff Bagwell, MLB – Born May 27th 1968 (age 43) in Boston, Massachusetts