Defenders Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba were the unlikely heroes as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 2-1 at Camp Nou to move within two wins of the Liga title.

Lenglet headed home an Ousmane Dembele corner on the stroke of half-time to open the scoring, but La Real levelled after the break through Juanmi. However, Barca responded one minute later when, having been found by Lionel Messi, Alba cut onto his right foot and drilled into the bottom corner.

Positives

Performances do not completely go out...

The Champions League semifinalists occupy the top four spots, while Juve's bad week is reflected by their tumble. Plus, Arsenal and Chelsea are in!

Dropping out: Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica

Agree? Disagree? Let us know, and watch Shaka defend his picks on ESPN FC TV, which airs daily on ESPN+.

It's a cliche because it's true. With just 270 minutes (plus extra time) left to play, anyone can win the Champions League. Liverpool were in the final just a year ago and Barcelona were the last team not named Real Madrid to actually win it. Ajax and Tottenham look like the longshots but have earned their places by taking down Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus in the past two rounds. Plus, thanks to the fact that the quarterfinal and semifinal draws were made at the...

We're accustomed to seeing Lionel Messi steal the headlines, most recently with his two goals in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday, for his magic on the pitch. But he was already attracting media in his native Rosario 19 years ago.

A questionnaire that the future Argentina captain answered for newspaper La Capital has been unearthed by Twitter user @ARGIsabella and has gone viral. In it, a 13-year-old Messi reveals his favourite things, his outlook on...

BARCELONA, Spain -- It is six years since a team without Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League and, if you conducted a straw poll of the Manchester United team torn apart by Barcelona's magician in the Nou Camp during a 3-0 quarterfinal second-leg defeat Tuesday night, few responses would suggest the sequence will end this season.

Ronaldo, courtesy of Ajax's stunning victory against Juventus, will not be in Madrid for the final June 1, but Messi, who netted twice in four minutes...

BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi scored twice in four first-half minutes as Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-0 at Camp Nou to make the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday. Philippe Coutinho added a stunning third in the second half as Barca eased past the Premier League side 4-0 on aggregate to keep their treble dream alive.

United started well, hitting the bar inside a minute through Marcus Rashford, but they were soon put to the sword by Messi. The Argentine scored a brilliant opener from...