TOKYO (AP) — Andres Iniesta said goodbye to old friends as he played for his Japanese club Vissel Kobe against his former club Barcelona in a friendly at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — Midfielder Patricia Guijarro ignited a stunning second-half comeback as Barcelona overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 and win its second Women's Champions League title on Saturday.
Barcelona and Wolfsburg meet in Women’s Champions League final
June 2, 2023 GMTEINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — Both teams in the Women's Champions League final have something to prove.
Barcelona was eyeing back-to-back titles last year before being upended by Lyon. Two-time champion Wolfsburg has lost the last three times it made it this far.
SANT JOAN DESPÍ, Spain (AP) — When Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was the only girl playing on her village’s soccer team, she quickly learned that she would have to fight for the game she loved.
With section of stadium closed after racist abuse against Vinícius, Valencia draws at home
May 28, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Playing its first home game with a section of Mestalla Stadium closed as punishment for the racist abuse against Vinícius Júnior, Valencia moved closer to avoiding relegation from the Spanish league thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Espanyol.
Veteran defender Jordi Alba leaving Barcelona this summer
May 24, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain left-back Jordi Alba will leave Barcelona this summer after 11 years with the Catalan club.
The 34-year-old Alba and the Spanish champions announced Wednesday that they've agreed to terminate his contract one season early.
Barcelona loses to Valladolid, Raphinha shows message of support for Vinícius Júnior
May 24, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona forward Raphinha took off his jersey and revealed his message of support for fellow Brazilian Vinícius Júnior.
The message, which included anti-racism words in Portuguese and the phrase “we are together, Vini,” was on his undershirt and visible when Raphinha was substituted off in the second half of Barcelona’s 3-1 loss to Valladolid on Tuesday.
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Tuesday:
SPAIN
In a tight fight against relegation, Valladolid hosts new champion Barcelona in the league. Valladolid sits in 18th place, the first spot inside the relegation zone.
MILAN (AP) — When Inter Milan kicked off its Champions League campaign with a loss at home to Bayern Munich, few would have imagined that eight months later the Nerazzurri would be on the brink of their first final in more than a decade.
MADRID (AP) — Barcelona is celebrating winning the Spanish league — and this time without Lionel Messi.
Barcelona lifted its first league trophy after Messi's departure with a 4-2 victory at Espanyol on Sunday in a match marred by Espanyol fans storming the pitch at the end of the game and forcing Barcelona players to head for the locker room.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Real Madrid will meet Barcelona in a El Clásico friendly on July 29 at Arlington, Texas, as part of six-club, eight-match preseason series that also includes Manchester United, Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus.
Sergio Busquets to leave Barcelona at end of season
May 10, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Sergio Busquets is ending his “unforgettable journey” of nearly two decades with Barcelona, he said Wednesday.
Busquets, whose contract ends this season, announced his decision with a video released on social media.
Soccer title races in Ukraine, Turkey defy off-field dangers
May 5, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — Forget about Manchester City and Barcelona for a moment and consider the Ukrainian and Turkish soccer leagues.
Both, somewhat amazingly, are set to be completed in the next few weeks despite war and disaster, and both have big showdown games coming up this month that could decide the titles.
Barcelona loses to Rayo, fails to increase league lead
April 26, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona couldn't take advantage of Real Madrid's setback, losing to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday and missing a chance to increase its Spanish league lead.
Barcelona lost 2-1 at Vallecas Stadium, keeping its gap to second-place Madrid at 11 points with seven matches remaining.
MATCHDAY: Man U vs Brighton in FA Cup, Barca hosts Atletico
April 22, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Manchester United and Brighton meet in the second FA Cup semifinal at Wembley. The winner plays Manchester City in the June 3 final.
Barcelona beats Chelsea 1-0 in Women’s CL semis 1st leg
April 22, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — An early goal by Caroline Graham Hansen set up Barcelona's 1-0 win at Chelsea in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semifinal on Saturday.
Graham Hansen put Barcelona ahead just four minutes into the match at Stamford Bridge when the Norway forward cut in from the right and drilled a long-range shot into the top corner.
Chelsea hosts Barcelona, Arsenal at Wolfsburg in Women’s CL
April 21, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Rematches are on tap in the Women’s Champions League semifinals this weekend.
Chelsea was embarrassed by Barcelona in the 2021 final, losing 4-0 after a first-half barrage by the Catalan club.
Barcelona’s winless streak extended after draw with Getafe
April 16, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Winning has suddenly become a problem for Barcelona, and its double-digit cushion in the title race is proving useful.
Barcelona’s winless run reached three games after a 0-0 draw at Getafe in the Spanish league on Sunday, allowing second-place Real Madrid to cut into its lead again.
MATCHDAY: Arsenal under pressure at West Ham; Getafe v Barça
April 15, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Arsenal needs to react to another win by Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
Barcelona held by Girona to 0-0 home draw in Spanish league
April 10, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona failed to rebound from its humiliating loss to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals and was held to a 0-0 home draw with Girona in the Spanish league on Monday.
What next for Messi? A look at the options if he leaves PSG
April 5, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — When Lionel Messi was jeered by Paris Saint-Germain fans during last Sunday's home defeat to Lyon, their relationship looked like it had reached a breaking point.
Osasuna upsets Athletic, reaches Copa final for 2nd time
April 4, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Osasuna pulled off yet another Copa del Rey upset by eliminating Athletic Bilbao in extra time Tuesday to reach the final for the first time in nearly two decades.
Late substitute Pablo Ibáñez scored with a volley from the edge of the area on a breakaway in the 116th minute to secure a 2-1 aggregate win that sent the Pamplona club to the final for the first time since 2005.
MATCHDAY: Cup ‘clasico’ in Spain; Man United hosts Brentford
April 4, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Wednesday:
ENGLAND
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will look for a reaction from his team in a home match against Brentford in the Premier League.
Xavi tries to repeat Guardiola’s feat against Real Madrid
April 4, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Xavi is on the verge of leading Barcelona back to the Copa del Rey final and repeating a feat last achieved when Pep Guardiola was in charge more than a decade ago.
Barcelona, the 2021 champion eliminated in the round of 16 last year, can return to the final with just a draw against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on Wednesday but a win would make it four straight triumphs over its rival for the first time since Guardiola won five in a row from 2008-10.
5 players out as viral infection hits Netherlands squad
March 23, 2023 GMTZEIST, Netherlands (AP) — Five players in the Netherlands squad to face World Cup finalist France in their opening European Championship qualifier have been sent home after contracting a viral infection.
Barcelona, Bayern earn wins in Women’s Champions League QF
March 21, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — Salma Paralluelo curled a shot into the net to help Barcelona beat Roma 1-0 in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals in front of a record-setting crowd on Tuesday.
Injured Barcelona defender Araujo dropped from Uruguay squad
March 20, 2023 GMTMONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Barcelona defender Ronaldo Araujo was dropped from Uruguay's national team on Monday because of a groin injury.
Barcelona said Araujo is out indefinitely because of a strained adductor muscle in his left thigh.
Good soccer and big wins help Barcelona leave scandal aside
March 20, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — By playing good soccer and winning big matches, Barcelona is leaving aside the distractions of its latest scandal.
With its second win over Real Madrid in less than three weeks, Barcelona made sure there is more talk about the team’s prowess on the field than the club’s alleged troubles away from it.
Barcelona rallies to top Madrid, move closer to league title
March 19, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Closer than ever to the title, Barcelona finished the last Spanish league “clasico” of the season by celebrating on the field at Camp Nou. Real Madrid was left complaining about the refereeing after seeing its chances of retaining the title all but end.
MATCHDAY: Barcelona hosts Madrid; Arsenal can stretch lead
March 19, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
SPAIN
Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in the Spanish league aiming to deal a heavy blow to its rival's title defense. Madrid trails Barcelona by nine points and needs to win the latest “clasico” at Camp Nou.
Vinícius to face Araújo again in Camp Nou ‘clasico’
March 18, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Vinícius Júnior will get another shot at trying to get past Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo on Sunday in the latest “clasico” that will impact the Spanish league title race.
Chelsea’s Kepa back for Spain in De la Fuente’s first squad
March 17, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — New Spain coach Luis de la Fuente brought back Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and more veterans on Friday for European Championship qualifiers in his first squad since replacing Luis Enrique.
Spanish federation sides against Barcelona over payments
March 16, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — The Spanish soccer federation has joined the long list of entities deciding to take legal action against Barcelona in the corruption case.
A look at the latest scandal involving Barcelona
March 13, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spanish soccer was rocked last month when it became public that Barcelona has paid millions of euros to possibly benefit from refereeing decisions for more than a decade.
Barcelona beats Bilbao amid more refereeing controversy
March 12, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Still mired in controversy over its payments to the company of a former refereeing committee official, Barcelona restored its lead over Real Madrid to nine points in the Spanish league on Sunday after a late VAR decision went its way.
Real Madrid to take action against Barcelona over payments
March 12, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid will side against Barcelona in the legal proceedings that the rival is facing over its payments of millions of euros over several years to a company that belonged to the vice president of Spain’s soccer refereeing committee, Madrid said Sunday after an urgent board meeting.
Barcelona takes 9-point lead after Madrid held by Betis
March 5, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — In three days, Barcelona has enjoyed seeing rival Real Madrid take two blows.
After beating Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Barcelona kept its title-chasing momentum in the Spanish league by defeating Valencia 1-0 and increasing its lead over second-place Madrid to nine points.
MATCHDAY: Liverpool v Man United; Barcelona hosts Valencia
March 4, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Liverpool hosts Manchester United in the Premier League in a fixture traditionally regarded as the biggest in English soccer.
Barcelona edges Madrid in 1st leg of Copa del Rey semifinals
March 2, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona triumphed in the first battle against rival Real Madrid.
The Catalan club won 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Thursday — the first of three matches between the Spanish powerhouses in the next few weeks.
Osasuna beats Athletic 1-0 in 1st leg of Copa semifinals
March 1, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Osasuna showed its strength against one of the Copa del Rey powerhouses on Wednesday, defeating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home in the first leg of the semifinals.
Ez Abde scored the winner in the 47th minute with a low left-footed shot from inside the area after a breakaway.
Barcelona depleted for Copa ‘clasico’ against Real Madrid
March 1, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona had been scoring at ease, getting plenty of goals from its forwards to keep thriving in the Spanish league and the Copa del Rey.
Lack of offensive prowess was far from a problem for the Catalan club.
More talent, same exit from Europe for Barcelona
February 24, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona’s risky financial decision last year to trade future revenues for much-needed cash to rebuild its squad is so far paying dividends in Spanish competitions.
Man United beats Barcelona 2-1 to advance in Europa League
February 24, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — With a sweeping first-time shot, Antony fired Manchester United to a rousing 2-1 win over Barcelona.
The comeback victory at Old Trafford sent United into the Europa League round of 16 and kept manager Erik ten Hag’s four-pronged trophy hunt on track.
MATCHDAY: Man United hosts Barcelona in Europa League
February 22, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Thursday:
EUROPA LEAGUE
Some of the world's biggest soccer clubs could be heading out of European competition entirely this season as they prepare for the second legs of the knockout round playoffs.
Man United anticipates new owners and a fresh era of success
February 19, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — It has been a week to remember for Manchester United.
MATCHDAY: PSG keen to end losing run, Man U hosts Leicester
February 18, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
FRANCE
Still reeling from three consecutive losses in all competitions, Paris Saint-Germain looks to bounce back against Lille in the league.
LA Galaxy defender Julián Araujo transferred to Barcelona
February 17, 2023 GMTCARSON, Calif. (AP) — Julián Araujo's move to Barcelona was finally completed Friday as the LA Galaxy announced the defender's transfer.
The 21-year-old Southern California native will play right back for Barcelona’s “B” team.
Barcelona’s key midfielder Pedri injures hamstring
February 17, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona midfielder Pedri will be sidelined with a hamstring injury for an unspecified period of time, putting in doubt his availability for upcoming games against Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Barcelona, Man United play 2-2 thriller in Europa League
February 16, 2023 GMTBarcelona and Manchester United served up a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Europa League knockout playoffs Thursday that outranked anything seen in the Champions League this week.
The former European champions traded leads in a back-and-forth second half of their first-leg game at Camp Nou.
Barcelona and Man United add glamor to Europa League playoff
February 15, 2023 GMTThey’re two members of European soccer’s aristocracy who, not so long ago, were meeting in Champions League finals.
Now Barcelona and Manchester United are going head-to-head in the unlikely confines of a Europa League playoff match.
Barça wins 11th straight game, opens 11-point lead in Spain
February 12, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona keeps on winning at the top of the Spanish league and moving further away from Real Madrid.
Barcelona beat Villarreal 1-0 on the road on Sunday to extend its winning streak to 11 matches in all competitions and its lead over second-place Madrid to 11 points.
MATCHDAY: Man City hosts Villa, Barcelona visits Villarreal
February 11, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Manchester City can reduce the gap to Premier League leader Arsenal to three points by beating Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona exploits Madrid’s stumble to open 8-point lead
February 5, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid's stumble to kick off the second half of the season with another win and enjoy its biggest lead so far at the top of the Spanish league.
After Madrid's 1-0 loss at Mallorca, Barcelona extended its 10-game winning streak in all competitions with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sevilla on Sunday to open an eight-point lead over Madrid after 20 of 38 rounds.
Raphinha gets another chance for Barcelona with Dembélé out
February 2, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Last year, after a season without titles following the exit of Lionel Messi, Barcelona took the risky decision of selling off a part of its future earnings in exchange for quick cash it could turn into talented signings.
Lewandowski scores, Barça beats Betis to reach 50-point mark
February 1, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — With another goal by Robert Lewandowski and yet another victory, Barcelona reached the 50-point mark and continued to show its strength going into the second half of the Spanish league.
Real Madrid and Barcelona to meet in Copa del Rey semifinals
January 30, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid will get a chance for revenge against Barcelona when the Spanish teams meet in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
The rivals were paired together in Monday's draw, which also set up a semifinal match between Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna.
Barcelona winger Dembélé out after left thigh injury
January 28, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé will be sidelined for an undetermined time after he injured a muscle in his left leg on Saturday in the 1-0 win at Girona in the Spanish league.
MATCHDAY: Man U in FA Cup action; Barça visits Girona
January 27, 2023 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
ENGLAND
Several Premier League clubs will be looking to avoid famous upsets in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Leeds travels to third-tier Accrington Stanley, while Leicester faces fourth-tier Walsall.
Barcelona beats 10-man Sociedad 1-0 to reach Copa semifinals
January 25, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — The days of Barcelona fans jeering Ousmane Dembélé are long gone.
There were only cheers from the crowd at the Camp Nou after the France forward led the hosts to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
Sociedad puts winning streak to the test against Barcelona
January 24, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Sociedad will put its nine-game winning streak to the test at a place where it hasn’t succeeded in more than three decades.
Sociedad faces Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday at the Camp Nou Stadium.