It was another huge weekend of sport around the world but it would be remiss of us to start anywhere else than in Spain where the latest rendition of El Classico took place between old foes Real Madrid and Barcelona. The contest certainly lived up to its reputation with a Lionel Messi hattrick helping secure the visitors a come from behind 4-3 win to keep their title hopes alive. Both sides were awarded a dubious penalty in the second half – the first to Real Madrid when Cristiano Ronaldo was taken down outside the box and the second to Barca when Neymar took a dive – but there was no doubt about the third penalty of the game as Andrés Iniesta was taken down to give Messi the chance to win the game.
With Atletico Madrid downing Real Betis 2-0, it sets up a mouth-watering finish to the season with the two Madrid sides now locked on 70 points and Barcelona just a point behind.
The MotoGP season also got underway in Spain overnight with defending champion Marc Marquez pulling of a remarkable victory just a month after breaking his leg in a dirt bike accident. Marquez held off the challenge from a fast finishing Valentino Rossi with Dani Pedrosa third.
The T20 World Cup has started in Bangladesh with some crucial results during the early games for those hoping to lift the trophy. India has started strongly with two wins from their two games while New Zealand beat defending champions England, Sri Lanka produced some great bowling at the death to hold off South Africa and Australia couldn’t haul in Pakistan’s mammoth total of 5/191.
And America’s Matt Every has come from behind to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida – ensuring Tiger Woods holds onto the number one ranking in the process. Woods withdrew from the tournament shortly before it began with back soreness and it looked like world number two Adam Scott would take full advantage as he took a seven shot lead into the third round and a three shot lead into the fourth. But a four-over par 76 cost Scott dearly with Every securing the win ahead of Keegan Bradley with Scott in third. Scott would have moved to number one had he won.