News Archive

Match round-up - First Division, Day 29

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the table after a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, and there is a now a real chance that the Catalans could tie up the league title before the next “clásico” at the beginning of May. Paco Alcácer and Messi got the goals in the first half hour to take their side eleven points clear of Atlético Madrid, who lost 2-1 at Villarreal later in the evening. Griezmann put the visitors ahead with a controversial penalty in the twentieth minute, but two late goals by substitute Enes Ünal turned the scoreline around. Real Madrid closed the gap on their city rivals to four points after they beat Girona 6-3 in the last match before the international break, Ronaldo scoring four and Lucas Vázquez and Bale also on target, with Stuani netting twice and Juanpe heading a third for the plucky visitors in reply. Villarreal’s win takes them up to fifth after Sevilla were beaten 2-1 by Leganés in the mid-day kick-off, goals by Bustinza and Eraso either side of the break bringing the Andalusians back down to Earth after their midweek win at Manchester United. Layún got a late consolation for the visitors, who had Sarabia sent off a few minutes before. Sevilla’s place in Europe next season is now in danger, with several teams catching them up, although Celta are still six points below them after they were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom club Málaga. (18.03.18)

Valencia stay on track for a return to the Champions League, a 3-1 victory over Alavés on Saturday taking them above Real Madrid to third, 14 points clear of fifth placed Sevilla pending Sunday's games. Rodrigo and Zaza put the Ches two up at the break, and although Rubén Sobrino got one back, Laguardia turned a Carlos Soler centre into his own net to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors. Although the top four places are already pretty much tied up, the three Europa League spots are still wide open, Betis now just two points behind their city rivals Sevilla after a 3-0 victory over Espanyol in the last match of the evening. Junior, Boudebouz and Francis got the goals to virtually take the Catalans out of the running. Getafe stay four points below Betis though after they came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 1-2, strikes either side of half time by Djené and Angel overturning Willian José’s opener. Further down the table Levante moved away from the drop zone with a 2-1 win over Eibar on Friday evening, Boateng getting the winner just a minute after Charles had cancelled out Roger’s opening goal. The Valencia based side have now won two in a row under caretaker coach Paco López, and they have opened up a four point gap over Las Palmas, who drew 1-1 at Deportivo in the early kick-off on Saturday. Halilovic put the Canary Islanders in front in the fourth minute, but Albentosa headed the equaliser a few minutes later later to keep the Galicians a point below their opponents. (17.03.18)