Liverpool Great Alan Hansen Released from Hospital

Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen. Asharq Al-Awsat
Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Liverpool Great Alan Hansen Released from Hospital

Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen. Asharq Al-Awsat
Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen. Asharq Al-Awsat

Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen has been released from hospital and will now continue his recovery at home.
A statement from his family on Sunday thanked fans for their support after Liverpool said two weeks ago that its former captain was “seriously ill in hospital.”
The family's statement said: “Alan has been discharged from hospital today to continue his recovery at home.
“Alan, Janet, Adam, Lucy and family would like to thank everybody for their wonderful messages of love and support ... We also hugely appreciate the ongoing respect that has been shown for our privacy as Alan continues his recovery. Thank you.”
Hansen, who is 69, joined Liverpool from Scottish team Partick Thistle in 1977. The defender won three European Cups, eight league titles, two FA Cups and three League Cups in 620 appearances for Liverpool.
He retired in 1991 to start a successful career as a television pundit.



Álvarez Scores Late to Give Atletico Madrid 1-0 Win over Celta Vigo

Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS
Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS
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Álvarez Scores Late to Give Atletico Madrid 1-0 Win over Celta Vigo

Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS
Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS

Atletico Madrid picked up momentum ahead of the derby against Real Madrid with a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo thanks to Julián Álvarez's 90th-minute winner Thursday in the Spanish league.
Álvarez poked home a cross by Antoine Griezmann to give Diego Simeone’s team the win in Vigo.
“What matters are the three points,” said Álvarez, Atletico's big-money offseason signing. “If it’s 1-0 or 5-0, what is important is to get the three points. We knew it was going to be a difficult match against Celta here.”
Atletico remains two points behind second-place Madrid going into Sunday’s match at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium. Both are chasing Barcelona, which has won its first seven league games this season.
Atletico struggled to create scoring opportunities until Griezmann curled a left-footed cross into the area. Álvarez ran between a couple of defenders to poke the ball into the net with his right foot, The Associated Press reported.
It was the 24-year-old Argentina forward's second goal since joining Atletico from Manchester City.
Celta, which has lost four of its last five matches, had come close to scoring several times, being stopped by yet another solid performance by goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Atletico was coming off a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano but had won its previous three games in all competitions.
After the derby at the Metropolitano, Simeone's team will visit Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Villarreal near the top Ayoze Pérez scored twice as Villarreal came from behind to win 2-1 at promoted Espanyol and stay near the top.
Pérez has scored six goals in seven matches, one fewer than the league's leading scorer, Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski.
It was the fourth win for Villarreal, whose only loss was a 5-1 rout at home against Barcelona in the previous round.
Spanish media said the referee of the match was hit by an object thrown from the stands while he left the field after the final whistle.
Las Palmas remains winless Last-place Las Palmas drew 1-1 with Real Betis to remain winless after seven rounds. It hasn't won in 21 straight league matches going back to last season, when it barely avoided relegation.
The hosts scored first with Alberto Moleiro in the ninth minute and 11th-place Betis — coming off two consecutive victories — equalized with Giovani Lo Celso in first-half stoppage time.
Getafe is the only other team without a league win this season.