News Archive

First division – day 4

The big two extended their gap at the top of the table after third placed Celta were beaten 3-2 by Girona on Monday. A Iago Aspas free kick cancelled out Stuani’s opener, but second half strikes by Alcalá and Stuani put the game beyond the visitors’ reach, even though Boufal scored again for them near the end. Both teams are now on seven points, level with three other sides and now five points adrift of leaders Barcelona, and three off second placed Real Madrid. (17.09.18)

A low-scoring day on Sunday, the first three matches all ending with single goal victories, and Getafe beating Sevilla 0-2 in the last match of the evening. Angel scored both goals for the visitors in the first half to take his side up to fifth, now three points above the Andalusians in the table. Espanyol are in fourth spot, just above Getafe on goal difference, after they beat Levante 1-0, Sergio García netting early on in the second half after Borja Iglesias set him up, and Alavés are also on seven points after they won 0-1 at Valladolid, Ibai Gómez scoring an injury time winner with a scoreless draw seemingly on the cards. Earlier in the day Villarreal clocked up their first victory after beating Leganés 0-1, Bacca heading the only goal after Carrillo had missed a penalty for the locals, who end the day at the bottom of the table. (16.09.18)

Barcelona made it four wins out of four after they came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 1-2 on Saturday afternoon. Aritz Elustondo volleyed the Basque side into an early lead in their revamped stadium, but goals by Luis Suárez and Dembélé, both from corners in a three minute period midway through the second half, turned the scoreline around. Barça are now two points clear of Real Madrid, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao later in the evening. Like their arch-rivals, Lopetegui’s side went behind when Muniain scrambled the ball over the line on the half hour mark, but substitute Isco headed in Bale’s cross after the break to save a point. Atlético Madrid could only draw 1-1 against Eibar as well in the early kick-off, and they lose more ground on the leaders. It could have been worse though, youngster Borja Garcés firing home an injury time equaliser after Sergi Enrich had given the visitors the lead with three minutes to go. A draw too in the other game on Saturday, this time 0-0 between Valencia and Betis. Both teams have been struggling this season, and Valencia in particular could end the weekend in the relegation spots if results elsewhere go against them. Either could have won though, Piccini clearing off the line from Inui with Jaume beaten before the break, and Parejo hitting the bar soon after the restart. (15.09.18)

Huesca belatedly played their first home game ever in the top flight now that their ground improvements at their Alcoraz stadium have been completed, but it ended in disappointment after they lost 0-1 to Rayo Vallecano. Imbula got the only goal with a shot from outside of the area midway through the first half to give Rayo their first win since being promoted as well this summer, although they could have won by a bigger margin, Raúl De Tomás having a strike ruled out by VAR after the break, and Advincula hitting the post near the end. (14.09.18)