Barcelona end season in disgraceful defeat

FC Barcelona’s season ended with a whimper as Villarreal sealed a 2-0 LaLiga win at Camp Nou on Sunday.
The Catalan club’s spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League was secured earlier in May.
But manager Xavi will be disappointed his side have ended the campaign with just a solitary point from their final two games.
They went behind late in the first half through Alfonso Pedraza’s strike, before Moi Gomez sealed maximum points for Unai Emery’s men in the second half.
The result meant second-placed Barca ended the campaign a whopping 13 points behind champions Real Madrid, while Villarreal finished seventh.
Adama Traore flashed over and Ferran Torres was denied by Geronimo Rulli inside a bright opening 10 minutes for the hosts.
Barca looked the more likely to open the scoring inside the opening half hour.
But all they had to show for their dominance was a Sergio Busquets strike that flew narrowly over the crossbar.
The inability to take advantage of their superiority was punished four minutes before the interval as Alfonso Pedraza latched onto Daniel Parejo’s pass and steered past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Villarreal doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Gomez lashed into the roof of the net after cutting out Traore’s dismal attempted clearance.
Frenkie de Jong had an effort ruled out for offside late on as Barca tried in vain to find their way back into the game.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Police kill suspected armed robber, recover two vehicles in Ogun
“On sighting the operatives, the armed robbers opened fire, prompting an immediate tactical response,” Mr Babaseyi said.

Abuja
Two Europe-bound businessmen excreted 200 wraps of cocaine at Abuja airport: NDLEA
The suspects, who reportedly travelled to Nigeria for a holiday, were arrested while attempting to return to Paris, France.

States
Traders, consumers lament rising cost of protein in Lagos
Mr Sodiq attributed the increase to rising fuel prices and the cost of purchasing cattle.

Africa
Senegal kicks off first-ever Youth Olympic Games in Africa
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared the Games open.

States
2027: Ex-minister Betta Edu targets 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Cross River
Ms Edu expressed confidence that the state would deliver more than 1.5 million votes for the ruling APC.

States
Gov Lawal presents staff of office, vehicles to 19 emirs
Mr Lawal said the ceremony reflected his administration’s recognition of the traditional institution.





