New Loan arrivals Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo scored their first goals for Barcelona in an impressive 5-0 victory over Real Betis on Saturday in La Liga. Barcelona's five-goal display was started by Felix, who netted the opener, with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha and Cancelo making the scoreline possible.
Xavi handed Joao Felix and Cancelo their first starts for the club and they quickly impressed the home fans and their coach. Betis lined up with a back four composed only of former Barcelona players, and played with attacking intent, unlike many other teams who will visit the temporary home, the Olympic Stadium. Barcelona got the lead after 25 minutes when Oriol Romeu fed a brilliant ball to Felix. The on-loan Atletico forward controlled the ball and finished to claim his first goal for Barcelona.
"I'm very happy to be starting again, the feelings are very good -- it's easy to play in this team," Felix said. "I am happy, the change has done me good, me and my family, I am very happy here," he added.
Lewandowski doubled Barcelona's lead when Andreas Christensen's through pass found him and he slotted it home, although the goal was crafted by Felix. His clever dummy allowed the ball to find the striker.
"We're talking about two players there are absolutely no doubts about in terms of individual quality," Xavi told reporters after the match. "The two bring something different that improves the team. Individual quality is what makes the difference."
The Shark bites
Ferran Torres started ahead of teen Lamine Yamal, and netted the third, with a low curved free-kick around the wall. This was the first time, Barcelona scored a free-kick since Lionel Messi's strike in May 2021.
The winger has nicknamed himself a "shark" since the summer after working on mental aspects of the game and finding his best level of fitness.
"I didn't know we hadn't scored a free-kick since Messi," said Torres. "I have a lot of confidence, I am working on it and I'll keep doing that," he added.
Raphinha replaced Torres and added the fourth just moments after his way in. Joao Cancelo then added the fifth to put the cherry on top of an excellent display. He shattered down Barcelona left-back Juan Miranda with a fake shot and drove home his first Barcelona goal.
The European Golden Boot or European Golden Shoe is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in league matches in the top divisions of European football. First awarded in 1968, this prestigious honour is judged on a points-based system.
The winner is not simply the player with the most goals in the season. There is a weighting system where the goals scored in the top-ranked leagues are worth more. Players from the five highest ranked leagues according to UEFA (based on results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons) get 2 points per scored goal, leagues ranked 6-22 get 1.5 points per goal and the remaining leagues get 1 point per goal.
The top five ranked leagues in 2022 were Germany, Spain, England, Italy, and France. The winners usually come from the top-ranked leagues.
Historical Overview
Between 1968 and 1991, the award was given by L'Équipe to the highest goalscorer in any European league. Between 1991 and 1996 there were no official awards given to the top goal scorers, but the leading goalscorer for those years have since been recognized.
Since the 1996–97 season, the award, given by European Sports Media, has used a weighted points system.
Most Golden Boots win
Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Boot a record six times (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). The next closest is Cristiano Ronaldo with four (2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2014-15).
Let's take a look at the most Golden Boots win in football history.
Who is leading the 2024-25 European Golden Boot race?
Kylian Mbappe is leading the race for the 2024-25 European Golden Boot. However, players like Viktor Gyökeres, Mohamed Salah and a few others are also in race.
The European leagues are up and running and we have already witnessed some great encounters between the top European teams. The hunt to win the European Golden Boot is also taking shape for the 2024-25 season.
Some big names from the Top five European leagues are already in full swing and they are scoring loads of goals to clinch the coveted annual award for the highest goalscorer in Europe. However, some young and talented players have enlisted themselves in the charts as well; even from outside of the top five European leagues.
Sportzpoint brings you all the details about the leading goalscorers in the top five European leagues, details of the UEFA League ranking, and the leading goalscorers competing for the 2024-25 European Golden Boot.
The European Golden Boot Race
Bayern forward Harry Kane won the 2023-24 Golden Boot. (Image Credit | SuperSport))
The Golden Boot is awarded by European Sports Media (ESM) which is a unified association of Football Magazine publications such as Marca, Kicker, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Frankfurter AZ, etc. They took over since 1996-97 season and started a new ranking system based on the position of the league for the respective players.
The UEFA coefficient ranking is considered a measure for weighting points, with the principle being to acknowledge players who score in leagues of higher quality according to rankings, which makes it tougher to find the back of the net.
The number of goals scored in the top five leagues of Europe are counted with a multiplier of two, while those from leagues ranked six to 21 receive a 1.5 multiplier, and goals from all other leagues are counted as one.
This is how the points system works.
⚽️🏆 Players with the Most European Golden Boot Wins:
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi: 6 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo: 4 🇺🇾 Luis Suarez: 2 🇫🇷 Thierry Henry: 2 🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski: 2
The Ultimate European Golden Boot Race (Among the top 10 European Leagues according to UEFA coefficient rankings)
Considering the players from the top 10 European leagues in this list, this is what the current race of chasing the 2024-25 European Golden Boot looks like:
Real Madrid have won 106 El-Clasico matches, while Barcelona have won 103 times, excluding the exhibition games where Barcelona has dominated the Los Blancos.
El Clasico refers to a match between two of Spain's biggest teams, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The rivalry goes beyond the football field as Madrid, the capital of Spain and Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia's autonomous community, have shared their fair share of political tension over the years.
Initially, the term was only used for the matches in the domestic Spanish championship, La Liga. Over the years, however, it's been globally recognised for every single meeting, such as in the UEFA Champions League or even domestic cup competitions like the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España.
With both teams boasting big budgets and reputations that appeal to world-class performers across the planet, their respective ranks have been loaded with match-winners over the years.
Here we have for you a breakdown of the games the two giants have played!
Competition
Matches
RMA Wins
BAR Wins
Draws
RMA Goals
BAR Goals
La Liga
189
79
75
35
304
305
Copa de la Coronación
1
0
1
0
1
3
Copa del Rey
39
13
18
8
72
74
Copa de la Liga
6
0
2
4
8
13
Supercopa de España
18
10
6
2
40
29
UEFA Champions League
8
3
2
3
13
10
All competitions
258
106
103
51
440
431
Exhibition games
43
6
25
12
56
106
Most Appearances in El-Clasico
Sergio Busquets has played the most number of El-Clasico matches.
Former Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets has played 48 El-Clasico games, the most in the rivalry's history. Lionel Messi and Sergio Raoms follow him in the list with 45 El-Clasico games.
Apps
Player
Club
48
Sergio Busquets
Barcelona
45
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid
43
Karim Benzema
Real Madrid
42
Paco Gento
Real Madrid
Manuel Sanchís
Real Madrid
Xavi
Barcelona
40
Gerard Piqué
Barcelona
Most goals in El-Clasico
Former FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has scored the most goals in El-Clasico. Since making his first Clasico appearance in 2005, the Argentine legend has played a joint-record 45 matches against Madrid, scoring 26 goals. This includes two hat-tricks in 2007 and 2014.
Former Real Madrid forwards Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo share the second spot with 18 goals each.
Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final 2nd leg: Inter knocks out Barcelona by 4-3 in a Champions League classic
Read the highlights of the Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final 2nd leg match as Inter knocked out Barcelona by 4-3 to qualify for the final.
Hello and welcome to another grand evening of UEFA Champions League football. This is Koushik Biswas, with the third final night of the Champions League this season.
Tonight, we will be bringing you LIVE updates, scores, news and free commentary of the Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final 2nd leg match at the San Siro.
Barcelona and Inter played out a 3-3 draw in the first leg in Barcelona last week. Inter Milan are looking to win the Champions League after 15 years, whereas Barcelona are looking for their first one since 2015.
So, both teams have everything to play for, and we can expect nothing but a Champions League classic tonight. Stay tuned and enjoy the coverage.
Do not forget the follow us on Twitter and Instagram for all the updates of the match as well.
LIVE Updates
May 6, 2025, 6:53 PM
Final Score
May 6, 2025, 9:57 PM
Final verdict!
It was a hell of a game. Inter kept on coming back, and so did Barcelona.
But in the end, I feel it was Yann Sommer who made the difference for Inter Milan.
Yamal was just incredible, but Sommer was better.
Inter will head to Munich for the final. Who will they face?
We will get to know that tomorrow!
Until then, good night and thanks for staying with us.
— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025, 9:02 PM
92' | Yellow card
Augsto gets the yellow card for a foul on Yamal.
May 6, 2025, 9:00 PM
91' | First half of extra time starts
Inter start the first half of the extra time.
May 6, 2025, 8:57 PM
We are into extra time!
We will have 30 more minutes of intense battle to see who will go to the final.
May 6, 2025, 8:57 PM
90+5' | Sommer makes the save
Yamal tries to toe poke the ball and Sommer makes the save. He could have get the penalty if he would have gone down
May 6, 2025, 8:55 PM
90+4' | Accceeerrrrrbbiiiiiii | INT 3-3 FCB (6-6)
Top-class finish from 36-year-old Acerbi.
His first European goal was from him. And, what a time to score that goal.
Yellow card for him for taking off his shirt.
Inter Milan 3-3 FC Barcelona (6-6)
May 6, 2025, 8:53 PM
90+3' | Yamal hits the woodwork
Yamal with a powerful shot from the left of the box, hits the woodwork.
May 6, 2025, 8:52 PM
90+1' | Change for Barcelona
In: Lewandowski
Out: Ferran
May 6, 2025, 8:51 PM
5 minutes added
5 minutes added to the final 90 minutes of time.
May 6, 2025, 8:51 PM
What a season for Raphinha
21 - Raphinha has now equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's competition record from 2013-14 of 21 goal involvements in a single UEFA Champions League campaign (13 goals, 8 assists). Ballon. #INTBARpic.twitter.com/fc6Sf6SbZW
"It's difficult to handle him, we will try to limit the ball getting to him but it is impossible. He will be doubled, but we know he is very dangerous. He thinks so quickly, it's unbelievable."
May 6, 2025, 5:06 PM
Flick on missing Kounde and Balde!
"We can't change anything in terms of injuries. I'm not happy about it, but we can't change it. We have players who can play in those [full-back] positions. Balde and Jules [Koundé] are important for us, but we have Gerard [Martín], Héctor [Fort] and Ronald [Araújo], all of whom are capable of playing in that position."
May 6, 2025, 5:01 PM
Do you know?
Inter have gone 972 days without losing a Champions League home game, their last defeat was on September 7, 2022!
The first leg of the semi-final was one of the Champions League classics with a 3-3 result at the Lluís Companys.
Marcus Thuram scored the fastest goal of Champions League semi-final history with a 30-second goal in the game. In the 21st minute, Dumfries then extended the lead for Inter Milan.
But, Barcelona came back three minutes later with a stunning curling goal from Lamine Yamal. In the 38th minute, Ferran Torres scored again for Barcelona to make it 2-2.
However, Inter Milan were ready to strike back in the second half as Dumfries scored his second to hand Inter the lead, again.
But again, Barcelona came back two minutes later with a third goal from Raphinha, which was later confirmed to be an own goal by Inter goalkeeper Sommer.
Inter nearly won the tie if not Dumfries had been found an inch offside before scoring what could have been a well-deserved hat-trick for him.
We have everything to play for in the second leg. But Inter have not lost a home game in the UCL this season. Can Barcelona break that record?
May 6, 2025, 11:06 AM
Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona: Last Meetings
Season
Competition
Venue
Date
Result
24/25
UEFA Champions League
Lluís Companys
31.4.2025
3:3
22/23
UEFA Champions League
Camp Nou
12.10.2022
3:3
22/23
UEFA Champions League
San Siro
04.10.2022
1:0 (Inter)
19/20
UEFA Champions League
San Siro
10.12.2019
1:2 (Barcelona)
19/20
UEFA Champions League
Camp Nou
02.10.2019
2:1 (Barcelona)
18/19
UEFA Champions League
San Siro
06.11.2018
1:1
18/19
UEFA Champions League
Camp Nou
24.10.2018
2:0 (Barcelona)
May 6, 2025, 11:05 AM
Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona Head-to-head stats
In the 13 matches between these two sides, FC Barcelona have dominated the Italian side with a 6 to 2 win ratio. The remaining 5 games have been drawn. A total of 33 goals have been scored in the matches between these two teams.
Team
Wins
Draws
Goals Scored
Barcelona
6
5
20
Inter Milan
2
5
13
May 6, 2025, 11:02 AM
Tonight's Venue | San Siro
May 6, 2025, 11:01 AM
How to watch the match?
Indian football fans can watch the match LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV Channels. They can also stream the match LIVE on Sony LIV App and Website with a paid subscription.
May 6, 2025, 11:00 AM
Match Details
Match: Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona, UEFA Champions League 2024-25, semi-final, 2nd leg
Hansi Flick announced FC Barcelona's squad for the Inter vs Barcelona UCL semi-final second leg match at the San Siro, tomorrow. Barcelona's top scorer, Robert Lewandowski, returned to the squad after missing the first leg due to injury.
Lewandowski got injured against Celta Vigo on 19 April, and after spending two weeks in rehab, the Polish striker was given the green signal after Sunday's training session.
However, Alejandro Balde, another youngster on the rise for Barcelona, could not be fit for the tie. Balde has a hamstring injury, and the team management does not want to risk him in the second leg.
If Barcelona can make it to the Champions League final in Munich, the team wants him to be ready for that. Along with Balde, Jules Kounde, who had featured in every game for Barcelona this season, has already been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Follow Us
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/GvLw5QOVEP4QrWqSvkmR.webp)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/TkjI1PCmRbv5zsPIepvn.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/BjlqWp3hHKkpbRgIXAPh.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/Dnj39YejrESXDXyuz5ZH.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/OnLYGrEALV0Es9Ah5OLW.webp)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/qFLlTWVWmTuaQQKLeT88.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/3XGEH71p9Rb53wXfYQZV.webp)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/F5TOCE5QqY4JR28KbdZ5.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/pzZLVAJRIwpngxMnwM1v.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/TJNcmKLdF4KN1jyJbVhG.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/041SBhLduAqXWXBlZXJC.webp)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/0G8qzwZzibOC8RPoJi0D.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/2024/11/07/kK3A9r8qw2Fmn8n9VMij.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/media_files/97qaVYoyFljrCRiAUl12.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/eb9c218a43e222de225c9d3fffcd318f8d6c4a48efaa2c58bd6ba05e94836e7d.webp)
