Barca leapfrog Sevilla into second place with Pedri masterpiece
Barcelona's teenage sensation Pedri scored a magnificent goal in the second half to secure a 1-0 win over fading Sevilla on Sunday as they climbed above their opponents into second spot in LaLiga after extending their winning streak to six games, Reuters reported.
The 19-year-old Pedri created and scored the winner in a similar style to the trademark goals Lionel Messi scored for Barcelona before leaving to join Paris St Germain last year.
The midfielder was surrounded by defenders just outside the box but with three quick moves he left three opponents on the ground before finally finding a gap and rifling a precise shot past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and inside the far post.
Barca are level on 57 points with Sevilla, who slipped to fourth, and third-placed Atletico Madrid but with a game in hand having played 29 matches. Real Madrid are top with 69 from 30.
Pedri's goal in the 72nd minute broke the deadlock in a nervy game that could have gone either way as Sevilla made it difficult for Barca, dominating the majority of the first half and creating several opportunities to score at a packed Camp, according to Reuters.
But coach Xavi Hernandez's side took control as the second half wore on, with Bounou making at least four great stops from Barca strikes from close range, before Pedri worked his magic.
"Pedri is a superlative player," Xavi told reporters.
"I always tell him to take his chances from outside the box. It's a player that I don't have a comparison for, he is unique with his talent both as a creator and as a finisher."
Pedri praised his team mates and thanked the fans who ended the match chanting his name.
"It's a crazy sensation listening to these fans, this stadium is amazing," Pedri told reporters, Reuters reported.
"Every time I saw a leg in front of me I just jinked. When I made the last jink and shot, I knew I had it. I knew it was a goal."
Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 54 runs
Punjab Kings defeat Chennai Super Kings by 54 runs in a lop-sided encounter at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday, Hindustan Times of reported.
Seeking first win of the season, Chennai Super Kings got off to a disastrous start by losing four wickets within the powerplay against Punjab Kings. Rayudu also departed after scoring 13, leaving Chennai tottering at 38 for five after eight overs.
Shivam Dube scored a fifty before the defending champions got bowled out for 126. Earlier, Liam Livingstone smashed 60 off 32 balls, while Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Jitesh Sharma (26) chipped in with useful contributions to help Punjab score 180 for 8 in 20 overs. For CSK, Chris Jordon (2/23) Mukesh Choudhary (1/52), Dwayne Bravo (1/32), Ravindra Jadeja (1/34) and Dwaine Pretorius (2/30) were among the wickets.
CSK gave away only 71 runs in the back-10 with a lot of credit going to their troika of overseas pacers -- Pretorius, Bravo and Jordan, according to Hindustan Times.
All three players used variations to good effect, strangling the opposition batters in the final overs.
Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals by 14 runs
Gujarat Titans defeated Delhi Capitals by 14 runs in their IPL match here on Saturday, The Indian Express reported.
Sent in to bat, Shubman Gill smashed 84 off 46 balls to guide Gujarat Titans to 171 for 6.
Besides Gill, skipper Hardik Pandya made 31 off 27 balls after being asked to bat. David Miller remained unbeaten on 20 off 15 balls.
Mustafizur Rahman scalped three wickets for 23 runs, while Khaleel Ahmed picked up two wickets giving away 34 runs for DC, according to The Indian Express.
Rajasthan Royals defeat Mumbai Indians by 23 runs
Jos Buttler smashed the first century of IPL 2022 to power Rajasthan Royals to 23-run win over five-time champions Mumbai Indians, who slumped to their second consecutive defeat on Saturday, The Indian Express reported.
Opening the innings after being sent into bat, Buttler hit a whirlwind 100 off 68 balls, only his second ton in the history of the IPL. He struck 11 boundaries and five sixes during his knock. Besides Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer (35 off 14) looked in destructive form while skipper Sanju Samson (30 off 21) too got a start. Jasprit Bumrah (3/17) was the pick of the bowlers for MI.
Chasing the total, Tilak Verma smashed 61 off 33 balls, while opener Ishan Kishan made 54 off 43 balls but it was not enough to guide MI home as they finished at 170 for eight. Yuzvendra Chahal once again shone bright with the ball picking up two wickets for 26 runs from his four overs, according to The Indian Express.