failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi

BARCELONA, Spain -- Alexis Sanchez scored a second-half goal as Barcelona and Lionel Messi struggled past Espanyol 1-0 Friday to remain top of the Spanish league. Neymar drew two defenders before guiding a pass through both pairs of legs across goal for Sanchez to tap in at the far post for the easy 68th-minute winner. Barcelona opened up a four-point advantage over Atletico Madrid, which plays Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, and a nine-point lead on Real Madrid. Madrid faces Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Messi is coming off one of his worst months of football, having not scored in the league since September. The Argentina international, who has been troubled by an injury, lacked rhythm and made uncharacteristic turnovers at the Camp Nou Stadium to start November goalless. Barcelona next plays against AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. Messi did score at Milan nearly two weeks ago. While Barcelona laboured to another victory, it maintained its impressive start under new coach Gerardo Martino who has led the team to 34 of a possible 36 points. Messi missed time with a right leg injury and by the end of the match he looked like he was either frustrated or feeling the effects of not being 100 per cent fit. Barcelona dominated possession and controlled the tempo from the start with Espanyol goalkeeper Francisco Casilla diving to make a save from Sanchez early on, with the Chilean enjoying some of the hosts best opportunities throughout. Espanyol needed over half an hour to register its first shot on goal, and it was nearly ahead in the 36th but Victor Valdes got a leg to Victor Sanchezs low shot following a smart run onto Thievy Bifoumas clever touch. Andres Iniesta forced a save from Casilla with Dani Alves hitting the post in the ensuing scramble as Barcelona nearly went ahead just before halftime. Casilla was in top form as he got a hand to Messis well-guided header in the 54th. Messi then had two opportunities from free kicks but never came closer to scoring his first league goal since Sept. 28. Neymar nearly found the net moments before setting up Sanchez, and appealed for a foul when Casilla put him to the ground outside the area in the 76th with the empty net beckoning. Espanyol should have tested Valdes in the 85th but Manuel Lanzarote showed poor finishing as he weakly headed over goal. Vapormax For Cheap . The Raptors second-year forward has been one of the primary beneficiaries of the early-season trade, breaking out and becoming a vital part of his teams success on both ends of the floor. Around the league, teams are starting to take notice and feature Ross more predominately in their pre-game scouting reports but its not just the opposition that hes impressing. Cheap Nike Vapormax Womens . The injury will keep the Finnish forward out of the Olympics. The 29-year-old has 20 goals and 41 points in 56 games this season, his first with Tampa Bay. http://www.cheapvapormax.net/ . Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics. Cheap Nike Vapormax . Algeria led 3-0 at halftime, but withstood a stronger South Korean second half performance to claim its first World Cup win since 1982 and move into second place in Group H with one match left to play. Defeat for South Korea means it must now beat already-qualified Belgium to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Cheap Nike Vapormax China . The (14-15-5) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 33 points. They trail sixth place Nashville and fifth place Dallas by two points.With Euro 2016 fever set to grip the continent, Guillem Balague assesses holders Spains chances of winning a third consecutive European Championship crown, as well as picking his dark horses to lift the trophy. A shock defeat to Georgia in their final warm-up game gave the 2008 and 2012 winners food for thought before they travelled to France on the hunt of an unprecedented Euro treble.With question marks hanging over Vicente del Bosques goalkeeping and attacking options, coupled with a lack of creativity in midfield, Sky Sports Spanish football expert offers his thoughts on his nations hopes... Spain stutter in preparations Tornike Okriashvili hit the winner as Spain lost their final pre-Euro 2016 warm-up match Even though it was a friendly, losing against Georgia is considered one of the worst defeats in the history of the Spanish national team. As Del Bosque said, it was the perfect game to galvanise everybodys interest and to end preparations on a high note but none of that happened, despite a strong team being fielded.What happened instead was Georgia, as is going to happen with many teams at Euro 2016, defended really deep. There were no spaces, in part to Spain not creating any, but there are no excuses as Spain have to work harder to create those spaces. Sky Sports Euro 2016 predictor Make your predictions with our interactive wall chart here You do that by moving the ball around quickly, not by playing long but by playing to their strengths with depth on the wings and with full-backs that surprise instead of simply being there - a lot of things that didnt happen against Georgia.I had a suspicion that, having won so much, there seems to be less interest, and pressure, for Spain to win. That is lethal. I get the impression Spain need new answers and a new way of doing things, sometimes coaches run their course and something new is needed. Georgia inflicted one of the worst defeats in Spanish football history, says Guillem Balague I dont know who will be the next coach and I could of course be proven wrong, it just feels teams have worked Spain out and it will even be difficult to come out of the group.Decisions, decisions, decisions... Who will Vicente Del Bosque pick - Iker Casillas or David de Gea? As far as the debate for the Spanish goalkeeping position is concerned, for me it should be David de Gea. However, even people that know Del Bosque closely dont know what he is going to do. Iker Casillas hasnt had a great season but, in fairness, thats the least of Spains worries.Even who will be number nine is the least of Spains worries, I think it will be Alvaro Morata, fitness permitting. The problems concern whether Spain play enough football to beat the kind of defences that lie in wait in France. Nolito key for Spain? Hes not the biggest name in Spains squad but Nolito could be a crucial figure at Euro 2016. At the moment, Del Bosque is playing with one central midfielder but he may decide to play Bruno Soriano alongside Sergio Busquets. I just think the three in front of the holding midfielder have to improve their movement and passing. Balagues Spain starting XI (4-1-4-1) De Gea Juanfran Ramos Pique Alba Busquets Silva Fabregas Iniesta Nolito Morata 2008, 2012, 2016.dddddddddddd..?Spain will compete in France because theyve got the players, they will reach the quarter-finals for sure but after that, who knows. But... need I mention the 2014 World Cup? Unless the team increases the intensity both in passing and in recovering possession, we will find it very hard to beat sides. Spains run of three consecutive tournament victories ended with a group-stage exit in Brazil Dark horses? Spain find themselves paired with two of the tournaments dark horses in Croatia and Turkey. Croatia have got great quality with Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric in midfield, as well as players with proven European pedigree in Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic and Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic. Luka Modrics Croatia are aiming to spring a surprise at Euro 2016 If Turkey progress through the group, they could do damage. They have a lot of quality up front but are generally a very balanced side.I like the look of Austria and Im intrigued to see Bayern Munichs David Alaba deployed in central midfield. They also have Stokes Marko Arnautovic and Leicesters Christian Fuchs, who weve seen can handle pressure.Recent tournament underachievers Belgium come to mind. Its not like Spain pre-2008, but there is so much potential there with the likes of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku that if they work together, even with Vincent Kompany missing, it could be a good opportunity to prove how good this generation of players is. Eden Hazard (left) and Romelu Lukaku feature in a star-studded Belgium squad When it came to the key moments in tournaments over the past few years, Belgium didnt seem to be strong enough mentally. That is a problem theyll have to address. But, with Belgium neighbouring France, perhaps Marc Wilmots side can benefit from some added home support. Also See: Euro 2016 Fixtures Latest video Tables ' ' '