News Archive

First division – day 29

Real Madrid stay two points behind Atlético in third spot after a last gasp 3-2 win against bottom club Huesca, who were making their first ever visit to the Bernabeu Stadium. Zinedine Zidane rested many of his key players after the international break, but his side found themselves behind with only three minutes gone when Cucho Hernández beat Luca Zidane from the edge of the area. Strikes by Isco and Dani Ceballos either side of the break turned the scoreline around, but Etxeita made it all square again, and it was only in the last minute that Benzema saved his team’s blushes. Madrid are now eleven points clear of fourth spot though after the three teams below them all lost, Sevilla beaten 0-1 by a Valencia side who move above their hosts to sixth place. Dani Parejo got the only goal from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time to extend the Ches’ unbeaten run to sixteen games. The other three matches on Sunday ended all square, Betis drawing 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano after a late strike by Tello cancelled out a De Tomás opener. The point takes the Andalusians to within three points of the European spots, and leaves Rayo (under new management after Paco Jémez took over again midweek) still down in next to last position. Real Sociedad are a place behind Betis in the table after they also drew 1-1 at Valladolid, Oyarzabal heading the equaliser after Keko had put the locals in front. And Levante and Eibar drew 2-2 in the mid-day game, Morales and Rochina twice giving the hosts the lead, but Escalante and Sergi Enrich pegging them back both times. (31.03.19)

Barcelona maintain their ten point lead at the top of the table after a 2-0 victory over city rivals Espanyol on Saturday. Visiting coach Rubi put out a defensive line-up, and they held their own until twenty minutes from the end, when Messi opened the scoring with a free kick which Víctor Sánchez could only head past his own keeper. The result was in doubt however until a couple of minutes from the end, when Messi connected with Malcom’s centre to score his second of the afternoon. Second placed Atlético Madrid have not given up the title race just yet though, and they keep in touch with the leaders (who they visit next Saturday) after a convincing 0-4 win at Alavés later in the evening. Saúl Ñíguez and Diego Costa put Simeone’s side two up at the break, and Morata and Thomas added two more after the interval for the final result. Alavés stay in fifth place, still two points below Getafe, who were beaten 0-2 by South Madrid rivals Leganés in the early kick-off. Local keeper David Soria saved an early Carrillo penalty after Maksimovic handled in the area, but second half goals from Michael Santos and Juanfran gave bragging rights to the visitors, who are now fairly safe for another season. Further down the table, struggling Celta came back to beat Villarreal 3-2, a result which takes them to within a point of their opponents in the table. Ekambi and Pedraza put the visitors two up in the first quarter of an hour, but Iago Aspas (on his return from a long injury lay-off) and Maxi Gómez made it all square after the restart, and Aspas converted a late penalty to give new coach Fran Escribá a first win. (30.03.19)

Athletic Bilbao’s troubles appear to be well and truly behind them, and whereas they were in the drop zone when Garitano took over in December, they are now only three points below the European spots following a 1-2 victory at Girona on Friday night. The Catalans themselves have not won at home since October, and although Stuani headed them into a first half lead, headed goals by Williams and Raúl García soon after the restart turned the scoreline around. (29.03.19)