News Archive

First division – day 18

Real Madrid end the year two points below leaders Barcelona after they were held to a second 0-0 draw in four days, this time at home to Athletic Bilbao. Kroos, Nacho and Jovic all hit the woodwork but, as in the Nou Camp, they were unable to find the target. Athletic stay seventh, four points now below Atlético Madrid, who are back up into the Champions League spots after a 1-2 victory at Betis. Second half substitute Correa won the ball off Moreno to put the visitors in front, and then set up Morata for the second before Marc Bartra scrambled one back in injury time. Real Sociedad meanwhile stay a point behind Atleti in fifth after an exciting 3-4 win at neighbours Osasuna. First half strikes by Oyarzabal, Portu and Odegaard appeared to have wrapped things up, but goals by Aridane and Chimy Avila either side of the break got the hosts back in the game. And although Isak netted again for the visitors, Avila scored again to set up a tight finish. Earlier in the day the bottom two clubs met, Leganés beating Espanyol 2-0 with goals by Braithwaite and En-Nesyri to move three points ahead of the Catalans, the result probably sealing the fate of Pablo Machín after less than three months in charge. Javier Aguirre’s team are now just a point below Celta, who lost 3-1 to Levante despite taking an early lead through Iago Aspas. Two from Roger and a third from Mayoral after the break turned the scoreline around, taking the Valencia based side up to ninth place. (22.12.19)

Barcelona made sure of top spot going into the short festive break after a 4-1 victory over Alavés on Saturday, Griezmann opening the scoring from a Luis Suárez assist, and Vidal making it two before the break after combining with Messi and Suárez. Pere Pons headed one back after the restart, but Messi restored the two goal cushion, and Suárez completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Martín handled in the area. Sevilla stay five points below the leaders in third place though after they beat Mallorca 0-2 earlier in the afternoon, Diego Carlos heading the first from Banega’s corner, and Banega himself getting the second from the penalty spot after Baba fouled Jordan in the area. Fourth placed Getafe drop four points behind the Andalusians though after they lost 1-0 to Villarreal, Moi Gómez getting the only goal after Soria saved from Anguissa early on in the second half to take his team up into the top half of the table. Valencia stay out of the European spots after they drew 1-1 at Valladolid, Manu Vallejo saving a point for the Ches in injury time after Guardiola had given the locals the lead with a direct free kick which VAR confirmed had crossed the line before Jaume pushed it away. And on Friday Eibar won 3-0 against Granada, Sergi Enrich, Kike García and Inui getting the goals to take the Basque side five points clear of the danger zone. (21.12.19)