SPORTS Friday, April 27, 2018 21 Real Madrid snatch 2-1 comebackMunich, Germany The result was identical to win at Bayern olders Real Madrid came last year’s quarter-final first from a goal down to leg between the teams before snatchH a precious 2-1 victory Real won the return game as at wasteful Bayern Munich well on the way to the first on Wednesday and carry a successful Champions League considerable advantage into title defence. their Champions League “We are satisfied with semi-final second leg in the result but this does not Spain. count for much,” Real coach Real, eyeing a third straight Zinedine Zidane told reporters. title, needed a 44th-minute “You can never feel absolutely equaliser by Marcelo against safe in football. the run of play to cancel out “We won tonight and I think Joshua Kimmich’s opener after we played well, we got a good Bayern, chasing three trophies result after a hard game.” this season, had missed a hatful Liverpool crushed AS Roma of chances. 5-2 in the other semi-final first A quick break allowed Real leg on Tuesday. substitute Marco Asensio to Bayern, who had lost only beat Sven Ulreich with a fine one of their last 22 home games effort and grab the winner in in the competition, had only the 57th minute. themselves to blame and were There was more bad news punished for their profligacy. for Bayern with Germany They almost scored after 25 defender Jerome Boateng seconds when Real defender suffering a suspected adductor Dani Carvajal failed to clear muscle injury that could rule properly in a furious and him out for the final part of the physical start to the match. Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich in action with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo season and the World Cup. (Reuters) Ibrahimovic rules out World Cup comeback Stockholm nding weeks of speculation, the Swedish football federationE announced yesterday that star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who quit the national squad in 2016, will not make a comeback for the Barcelona players pose for a team photo before the match against AS Roma on April 4 World Cup in Russia. “I spoke with Zlatan on Tuesday. He said that he has not changed his mind Barcelona set for title party regarding the national squad,” Barcelona title which they have looked only side to do so since the the managing director of the arcelona coach Ernesto certain to win since they beat league was expanded to more national squad, Lars Richt, said Valverde said in February Real Madrid 3-0 on Dec. 23, than 10 teams. in a statement after the player heB was “in a hurry” to wrap up marching 14 points clear of The title win would also dropped numerous hints of a the Liga title and his side will their arch- rivals and nine complete the club’s seventh possible return. almost certainly get to celebrate ahead of Atletico. double after they hammered “It’s a no,” Richt added. Zlatan Ibrahimovic a 25th league crown at last Barca’s surprise draws Sevilla 5-0 in the King’s Cup In an appearance on ABC to concentrate on settling into mean it’s going to happen.” when they play at Deportivo La against Getafe and Espanyol final on Saturday, an utterly television’s late night Jimmy his new life in Major League Ibrahimovic had just weeks Coruna on Sunday. briefly offered Atletico hope dominant victory which went Kimmel show on April 18, the Soccer before thinking about earlier become a global brand Barca need a draw against of chasing down Valverde’s some way towards healing new star of LA Galaxy teased the World Cup. ambassador for Swedish betting Clarence Seedorf’s struggling side when they closed the gap the wounds from their shock fans that he may come out of Following an injury-blighted company Bethard, prompting side to clinch the title and the to five points ahead of a top- Champions League elimination retirement to play in Russia. stay at Manchester United, the some Swedish commentators trophy could even be theirs of-the-table clash in March, by AS Roma. Known for his swagger, father of two became the latest to lament that his World Cup before they kick off if Real but a superb free kick from While Barca are preparing Zlatan said “it wouldn’t be a in a long line of ageing stars to teasing was nothing more than Madrid fail to beat Leganes on Lionel Messi gave Barca a 1-0 for a title party at Riazor, World Cup” if he didn’t play, leave European football for the an advertising gimmick. Saturday and Atletico Madrid win to lift them eight points Deportivo might end up feeling adding: “I’m going to the United States. “It feels like the whole thing are unable to win at Alaves ahead. like they are at a funeral as the World Cup, yes.” The 6ft 4ins (1.95m) striker was just aimed at building up four hours before Barca’s game They never looked back and Galicians will be relegated back The 36-year-old who last tweeted on April 15: “The his brand in the US and it starts. are still unbeaten in the league, to Spain’s second tier for the played at a World Cup with chance of me playing in the even seemed at times like he The Catalans have led from five games from becoming the first time since 2014 if they Sweden in 2006, retired from World Cup is skyhöga (sky thought it was funny,” Daniel the front this season, topping first team since Real Madrid do not beat Barca and Levante the Swedish team after the 2016 high).” Nannskog, a commentator for the table in week two, and in 1932 to finish a La Liga win at Sevilla on Friday. European Championship. He later told Swedish media Swedish public broadcaster no-one can begrudge them a campaign undefeated and the (Reuters) He said last month he wanted that “high odds -- that doesn’t SVT, said. (AFP).