Atletico Madrid Top La Liga

AP

Thomas Partey scored his first La Liga goal as Atlético Madrid beat Levante 1-0 at home to go top of the table.

Atlético lacked a finishing touch until the Ghanaian midfielder struck nine minutes from time with a shot that squirmed away from Diego Marino, the Levante goalkeeper.

“The team is playing well and anyone could have got the goal,” Partey, 22, said. “I am still learning and by working hard I am having more chances to play.”

Saúl Ñíguez almost gave Atlético the lead inside two minutes with a near-post header from a corner that went just over the crossbar. Jackson Martínez had an effort well saved by Marino before defender Stefan Savic nodded the ball against the top of the bar from a corner.

At the other end Verza, the midfielder, had a golden chance to put Levante in front on the half hour but fired wide for the club that is bottom of the league.

Atlético midfielder Koke then cracked a half-volley against the underside of the bar from 25 yards after 54 minutes and a cross from Luciano Vietto also thumped the woodwork.

The home side’s attempts were becoming ever more desperate before Partey, who had been on the pitch for seven minutes, burst through the centre of the penalty area and Marino was unable to hold his shot as the ball crept over the line.

Atletico have 41 points, two more than Barça who have a game in hand. Third-placed Real Madrid are on 36 points and visit Valencia on Sunday.

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Messi Faces Tax Fraud Charges

Lionel Messi and his father should stand trial on tax fraud charges, a court in Spain has ruled.

The judge in charge of the case rejected the request by prosecutors to drop the charges against the striker.

Messi and his father Jorge are accused of defrauding Spain of more than €4m (£3.1m; $5m). They deny any wrongdoing.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the tax authorities demanded 22-month jail sentences for both defendants.

Prosecutors allege that Jorge avoided paying tax on his son's earnings by using offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay in 2007-09.

Messi's lawyers had argued that the player had "never devoted a minute of his life to reading, studying or analysing" the contracts, El Pais newspaper reportedearlier.

'Corrective payment'

"There are rational signs that the criminality was committed by both accused parties," wrote the judge in a court filing, according to the AFP news agency.

No date has been set for the trial of the 28-year-old footballer - the four-time World Player of the Year and one of the richest athletes in the world.

In June, the high court in Barcelona ruled that Messi should not be granted immunity for not knowing what was happening with his finances, which were being managed in part by his father.

The income related to Messi's image rights, including contracts with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter and Gamble, and the Kuwait Food Company.

Messi and his father made a voluntary €5m "corrective payment" - equal to the alleged unpaid tax plus interest - in August 2013.

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Corona Gets Roar Chance

Brisbane Roar’s pre-season from hell is getting back on track following confirmation experienced Spanish midfielder Corona has joined the club on a two-year deal.

To prevent another Brisbane Roar the A-League needs better due diligence Shaun Mooney

Corona, whose full name is Miguel Angel Garcia Perez-Roldan, will wear the No7 jersey for the three-time A-League champions and his pedigree suggests he will be an excellent addition to new coach John Aloisi’s squad.

The Roar’s off-season has been marred by financial problems and legal battles involving their embattled owners, the Bakrie Group, but the recruitment of such a decorated player suggests the worst may have passed for Brisbane.

Corona, 34, has played for Spanish side Almeria since 2006 and was the club’s captain up until his recent departure, amassing 312 appearances in all competitions.

All up, Corona has played 10 seasons in Spain’s top flight, La Liga, and also previously represented his country at age international level.

“The way Miguel plays on the ball, he’s technically very good and he will be able to start the plays for us,” Aloisi said. “He’s got all the qualities that we are looking for in that position to play the style of football we want to play.”

Corona is a versatile midfielder who can cover multiple engine room roles, but comes in as a replacement for the departed Luke Brattan.

The fringe Socceroo is reportedly poised to sign for Manchester City and then immediately go out on loan, and while Brattan’s loss was a bitter one for the Roar, the capture of Corona promises to allay any disappointment.

“The attacking, possession-based style of the Roar suits my game,” Corona said. “This style and the positive approach to football by John Aloisi is what drew me to the club. Now I can’t wait to get onto the field and show what I can do.”

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