Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to keep pace in the title race. There were a massive 16 goals in the two games featuring the title contenders in midweek – Barca hit seven while a weakened Madrid side responded with six.
Top versus bottom at Camp Nou
Barcelona ensured there was no Clasico hangover with a 7-1 defeat of bottom side Osasuna. Lionel Messi, who else, sent them on their way with a brilliant dink and grabbed a second after the interval while Paco Alcacer and the much maligned Andre Gomes also scored braces. However, the story of the night belonged to Javier Mascherano who scored a penalty, his first goal in seven years at Barcelona, the club’s 100th Liga goal of the season and the 500th they have scored under Luis Enrique. Barca now 7/4 to win La Liga, Osasuna, meanwhile, are down.
Madrid smash Deportivo for six
After watching Barcelona win, a Madrid side featuring nine changes took little time to see off Deportivo with Alvaro Morata scoring after just 54 seconds. There was no BBC once again but two goals from James Rodriguez and strikes by Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Casemiro gave them a comfortable win. Isco was in fact outstanding throughout, his eighth Liga goal of the season, now the most by any midfielder in the league.
Sociedad beat Valencia in thriller
Real Sociedad took all three points at Mestalla despite a second-half comeback from the hosts. A Diego Alves own goal and a penalty from Willian Jose had the visitors 2-0 up in the first half before Mikel Oyarzabal made it three. Game over, or so we thought, until Valencia hit back quickly through Nani and Simone Zaza but couldn’t find that elusive equaliser.
Aduriz & Muniain sink Betis
The race for the final Europa League spot is hotting up with Athletic Bilbao currently occupying sixth place, one point ahead of Sociedad and a point behind Villarreal. An Aritz Aduriz penalty and an Iker Munian header gave them the win on Thursday night as they saw off Betis 2-1.
Atletico beaten by Villarreal
Atletico Madrid suffered a rare defeat as they were beaten 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon by Villarreal. The hosts had 23 shots and nine on target but simply could not find a way past Andres Fernandez. The visitors then made them pay late on with Robert Soriano slotting home Cedric Bakambu’s cross to snatch the three points. A poor night for Atletico was also made worse by Yannick Carrasco departing with a shoulder injury only 15 minutes after coming on.
Sevilla close gap on Atleti
Sevilla are just three points behind Diego Simeone’s side after seeing off 10-man Celta on Thursday night. Joaquin Correa had put the hosts ahead but Iago Aspas equalised from the penalty spot. However, a second yellow card for Pablo Hernandez saw Celta play the last 35 minutes a man down. Substitute Wissam Ben Yedder made the pay, scoring the winner just three minutes after his introduction.
Tony Adams’ Granada on the brink
It’s now three defeats from three for Tony Adams at Granada and no goals scored as Malaga departed with all the points after a 2-0 win. Sandro Ramirez fired home just after the break and then added a second in stoppage time to leave Granada all but relegated with four games left to play.
Espanyol rescue point
Espanyol had to come from behind to snatch a draw at Sporting after the hosts had gone ahead through Victor Rodriguez’s free kick. Gerard Moreno equalised 10 minutes into the second half, going round goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar and slotting into an empty net.
Leganes thrash Las Palmas
Leganes picked up their first win in eight with a comfortable win over Las Palmas. Two goals from Luciano Neves and one for Miguel Guerrero secured the victory which ensured Osasuna were officially relegated, following their defeat at Barcelona.
Goalkeeper Riesgo off as Eibar hold Alaves
Eibar held onto a 0-0 draw with Alaves despite having goalkeeper Asier Riesgo sent off after just 26 minutes. The red card was the goalkeeper’s second of the season, meaning he now possesses the unenviable record of being the first keeper to be sent off twice since Ricardo in the 2007/08 season.
La Liga results in full
Sporting 1-1 Espanyol
Atletico Madrid 0-1 Villarreal
Granada 0-2 Malaga
Barcelona 7-1 Osasuna
Leganes 3-0 Las Palmas
Valencia 2-3 Real Sociedad
Deportivo 2-6 Real Madrid
Alaves 0-0 Eibar
Sevilla 2-1 Celta Vigo
Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Real Betis
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
