News Archive

Match round-up - First Division, Day 33

Barcelona are just one win away from the league title after second placed Atlético Madrid were beaten 3-0 by Real Sociedad on Thursday. Willian José opened the scoring for the locals midway through the first half, and Juanmi added two more late on to give caretaker coach Imanol his third win in a row. The real drama though came later in the evening, simultaneous injury time goals at the Ciutat de Valencia and Benito Villamarín stadiums virtually settling the relegation issue for this year. Boateng’s last gasp strike gave Levante a 1-0 win which sent opponents Málaga down to the second division, and a header by Junior tied up a late 1-0 victory for Betis against Las Palmas, the Canary Islanders now all but mathematically down as well. Levante’s victory also takes them seven points clear of Deportivo with five games to go. Betis meanwhile (after six straight wins) are now seven points clear of city rivals Sevilla in the fight for the Europa League spots, and Girona are just a point below Montella’s side after they beat Alavés 1-2, an Aleix García free kick and a Stuani penalty putting the Catalans two up before Tomás Pina got a last minute consolation for the hosts. (19.04.18)

The confirmation of Valencia and Real Madrid’s places in next season’s Champions League will have to wait a little longer after both failed to win at home on Wednesday. Valencia were surprisingly beaten 1-2 by Getafe, Rémy scoring twice for the visitors before substitute Rodrigo got one back. And Real Madrid could only draw 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao, Ronaldo finally beating an excellent Kepa near the end to at least save a point after Williams had given the Basque side an early lead. Getafe’s win puts them back in contention for a Europa League spot, and Eibar are still in the running as well after they won 0-1 at Espanyol, Lombán heading the only goal before the break to leave the Catalans floundering in the lower reaches of the table. (18.04.18)

A midweek round of league games this week, with cup finalists Barcelona and Sevilla kicking off on Tuesday evening prior to their big game next Saturday. Both coaches rested key players, in particular Valverde, who changed almost his entire line-up for Barcelona’s visit to Celta. Even so though they still managed to keep up their unbeaten league record with a 2-2 draw which takes them twelve points clear at the top pending Atlético’s match on Thursday. Dembélé and Alcácer twice put the Catalans ahead, but Jonny and Aspas levelled it both times, the latter near the end after Sergi Roberto had been sent off. Earlier in the evening Sevilla drew 0-0 at Deportivo, a result which didn’t help either side in their particular objectives, the Galicians remaining four points away from safety, and the Andalusians dropping three points below sixth placed Villarreal, who won 2-1 against Leganés. Víctor Ruíz and Bacca put the locals two up with strikes either side of the break, and Brasanac scored a late consolation for the visitors. (17.04.18)