Sizzling Sevilla blow title race wide open as Barca and Atletico close gap – La Liga Roundup Week 18

Sevilla celebrate win over Real Madrid. Image via Sevilla on Twitter

Real record over

Sevilla blew the title race wide open on Sunday with a thrilling late win over Real Madrid. Los Blancos looked set to extend their unbeaten record after going ahead through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. But that was just the start of it. Yes, there was a late goal, and yes of course Sergio Ramos, booed throughout, got on the scoresheet in a match with Sevilla, but this time there was a twist. Ramos’ goal was in his own net, his first ever Liga own goal, Stevan Jovetic grabbed the winner and for the first time since April 2016, an incredible 284 days, Real Madrid had lost, their 40 game run over.

The strange thing was Madrid did not play badly and went ahead after goalkeeper Sergio Rico brought Dani Carvajal down, the referee pointing straight to the spot. It didn’t end there, Vitolo took a kick at the penalty spot as Ronaldo prepared to take his kick, the Portuguese threw the ball at him but somehow neither player was booked. Ronaldo fired the spot kick home and game number 41 without defeat looked on the cards. But Jorge Sampaoli’s side had different ideas. Ramos put through his own net before Jovetic, who has been at the club just five days, scored his second goal in two games for Sevilla (and both against Madrid) in the 92^nd minute. The end result? Madrid lead Sevilla by a single point and Barca by two. Yes they have a game in hand, and yes they are still 1/2 favourites to win the title, but make no mistake, the title race is very much on.

Messi picks up new record as Barca cruise

Barcelona enjoyed a comfortable weekend putting five goals past Las Palmas even without the services of Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique who were all rested. Luis Enrique’s side purred, crashing in five goals and Lionel Messi picking up a new record to boot. The Argentine’s goal means he has now scored against every single La Liga team. And no, Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t managed that yet (he’s scored against everyone apart from Leganes since you ask). It was also a good day for Andre Gomes, picking up his first ever assist for Barcelona, it’s only taken 23 appearances and he only cost €30m, but nevermind.

Simeone simmers as Atleti win ugly

Atletico Madrid also picked up a win in an ugly game against Real Betis. Nico Gaitan scored the only goal after eight minutes, but then did very little afterwards. Diego Simeone was far from happy after the match, moaning about how quiet the fans at the Vicente Calderón had been, although to be fair his side had given supporters precious little to cheer in a tired display against impressive opposition.

Alaves’ resistance is finally broken

Alaves travelled to Celta boasting an impressive away record having gone five Liga games on their travels without conceding a goal. However, it had to give sometime and so it proved at Celta who have now won four from four in 2017. Nemanja Radoja scored the only goal of the game, an unlikely hero in truth, it was his first Liga goal in 74 games.

Two sent off in basement battle

La Liga’s bottom two sides Osasuna and Granada faced off in a game that ended up with the referee the star of the show. The bottom side took the lead through Oriol Riera before Artem Kravets equalised. But that’s when it got interesting, Uche Agbo was then harshly sent off for violent conduct, before Ezequiel Ponce picked up a second yellow late on to ensure Granada finished with nine men. In the circumstances they might be happy with the point but in truth it helps neither side in their battle to beat the drop.

Struggling Valencia pick up vital win

Crisis-club Valencia picked up a vital win, their first since October with a goal in each half enough to down Espanyol. There were again protests against owner Peter Lim before kick off but on the pitch goals from Martin Montoya and Santi Mina did the damage as Valencia celebrated first Liga home win since September which puts them four points clear of the bottom three.

Draws for Athletic & Villarreal

Beaten by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey in midweek, Athletic Bilbao suffered more misery in a goalless draw with struggling Leganes. It was not the only 0-0 of the weekend however, Deportivo holding Villarreal in another drab draw,

Eibar beat Gijon in thriller                                                                       

Sporting Gijon remain in the bottom three after a thriller against Eibar. An Adrian Gonzalez penalty put the visitors ahead but Carlos Carmona equalised for Gijon. Pedro Leon and Antonio Luna then made it 3-1 and despite Nacho Cases grabbing a goal back, Eibar held on for victory.

Sociedad move into fifth

In the final game of the matchday, Sociedad moved fifth, just two points behind Atleti with a win at Malaga, thanks to two fortunate goals. Inigo Martinez grabbed the opener, his free kick taking a wicked deflection before beating Carlos Kameni before an offside-looking Juanmi sealed the winner, scoring against his former side.

All La Liga Results, Week 18:

Leganés 0-0 Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona 5-0 Las Palmas

Atlético Madrid 1-0 Real Betis

Deportivo La Coruña 0-0 Villarreal

Valencia 2-1 Espanyol

Celta 1-0 Alaves

Sporting Gijon 2-3 Eibar

Granada 1-1 Osasuna

Sevilla 2-1 Real Madrid

Malaga 0-2 Real Sociedad