22 Monday, March 5, 2018 SPORTS

Davide Astori Italy and Fiorentina (file pic) defender Astori dies

London Astori, capped 14 times by everyone’s sensitivity at this iorentina captain and Italy, joined Fiorentina in 2016 time, above all out of respect for Italy international from Cagliari and had made 58 his family.” FDavide Astori has died at the appearances for them. Astori, who leaves a wife and age of 31. Cagliari postponed their two-year-old daughter, came The defender died following game against Genoa on Sunday through the youth system at AC a “sudden illness”, his club morning. Milan before joining Cagliari in confirmed on their official “Fiorentina are profoundly 2008. Twitter feed. shocked to have to announce He spent eight years at Fiorentina were scheduled the death of captain Davide the club and had loan spells to play Udinese in Serie A on Astori after a sudden illness,” at Roma and Fiorentina Sunday afternoon but the game Fiorentina said. before moving permanently and all other Serie A fixtures “Given this terrible and to the latter two years ago. were called off. delicate situation we appeal to (BBC)

Ronaldo, Bale lead Real past Messi scores Getafe ristiano Ronaldo scored his 600th as Barca 300th LaLiga goal as Real CMadrid returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Portugal forward had beat Atletico been left out of the squad Barcelona goalkeeper Jan Oblak to reach competitions to move into for Tuesday night’s trip to ionel Messi scored his the landmark. It was the fifth second place in . Espanyol, where Zinedine 600th goal for club and La Liga goal Messi has scored Luis Suarez was also ruled Zidane’s side were beaten 1-0 countryL from a first-half free from a free kick since Jan. 1, offside on a disallowed goal by a stoppage-time goal. kick as Barcelona extended and prior to Messi’s success, in the 76th minute, and Messi There was, though, no their lead at the top of La Liga Oblak had not allowed a nearly scored another in stopping Los Blancos on to eight points following a league goal from a free kick added time but his attempt Saturday, with Gareth Bale 1-0 victory over challengers since Real Madrid’s Cristiano sailed high. breaking the deadlock in the 24th Atletico Madrid at the Camp Ronaldo scored on Nov. 19, Barcelona captain Andres minute before Ronaldo reached Nou. 2016, according to ESPN Iniesta was taken off injured his personal landmark on the Messi, who now has 33 Stats & Information. in the 36th minute with an stroke of half-time. goals in all competitions for Atletico’s best chance at an apparent leg injury after a Getafe saw forward Loic Remy sent Barcelona this season, took equaliser came in the 86th collision earlier in the game off for a second caution early in the second two shots before slotting minute, but Kevin Gameiro’s with Atletico’s Saul Niguez. half, but reduced the deficit in the 65th minute home in the 26th minute. volley was disallowed The victory extends through a controversial penalty from Francisco He curled a free kick into with Diego Costa ruled Barcelona’s unbeaten streak Portillo only for Ronaldo to wrap things up with the top right corner and off offside. They had won their in the league to 34 games, a late header. the hand of diving Atletico previous eight games in all dating to last season. (Espn) Real’s victory moved them four points clear of Valencia, who have a match in hand, and provided the perfect build-up to next week’s crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. Ronaldo was one of five changes by Zidane from the team which lost at RCDE Stadium. Real, though, never looked in any danger of failing to get the required result Cristiano against Getafe. Ronaldo Ronaldo soon had the ball in the net, but celebrations celebrates were swiftly cut short by an offside flag. another Bale, who was making a record 117th LaLiga milestone after appearance by a British player, put Real ahead, sweeping surpassing 300 in a loose ball which dropped on the penalty spot. La Liga goals (Pic The home side continued to press and doubled their courtesy: AFP) lead on the stroke of half-time. Karim Benzema drove forwards and slipped Ronaldo into the right side of the penalty area. The Portugal forward spun to fire the ball past Emiliano Martinez, the on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper. Real Madrid, though, had already claimed that landmark to have been reached, with some confusion over whether Ronaldo should be curls the ball into the top corner to give Barcelona the lead credited with a free-kick against during the 2010-2011 (Pic courtesy: theguardian) campaign which had deflected in off Pepe. (PA Sport)