News Archive

First division – day 30

Sevilla are back in the fight for the fourth Champions League spot after a 2-0 victory over Alavés on Thursday evening. Sarabia set up Roque for the first goal just before the break, and then added the second with ten minutes to go to take his side back to sixth spot, just a point below fourth placed Getafe, and two above their opponents, who are out of the European places for the first time in several months. Several teams are still in the running as well though, including Real Sociedad, who beat Betis 2-1 later in the evening to move up level on points with the Andalusians. Oyarzabal got the winner late on after a strike by Canales had cancelled out Juanmi’s opener. Leganés are just a point behind them as well after a 1-0 win over Valladolid, Carrillo heading the only goal in the sixth and final minute of time added on to leave Sergio González’s side just a point above the drop zone. (04.04.19)

A first defeat for Zidane since his return, Real Madrid beaten 2-1 on Wednesday by a Valencia side who are closing in on ther Champions League spots. Guedes fired the Ches into a first half lead, and Garay headed a second before Benzema got a late consolation for the visitors. Madrid end the day 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, and Valencia are now fifth, a point behind Getafe, after a run of 17 games without defeat. Only four points separate five teams though, Athletic Bilbao now just a point below the European spots after a 3-2 win over Levante. Yuri and Williams put the locals two up at the break, but a Roger penalty and a late header from Cabaco pegged them back before Muniain got the winner with an injury time penalty. The defeat dragged Levante into the relegation struggle, and they are only three points above the drop zone after Celta drew 3-3 at bottom club Huesca. Goals by Brais Méndez and Iago Aspas around the break were overturned in the second half by strikes from Gallego. Chimy Ávila and Pulido, but Boudebouz made it all square again with ten minutes to go. Huesca are now seven points away from safety, and Rayo Vallecano are just a point above them after a 2-1 defeat at Eibar. Paco Jémez’s side went in front through Pozo shortly before the break, but Charles and Pedro León scored after the restart to virtually ensure another season of top flight football for the Basque team. (03.04.19)

A midweek round of league games this week, with Barcelona saving a high-scoring 4-4 draw at Villarreal in the last match on Tuesday. Early goals by Coutinho and Malcom appeared to have put Valverde’s side on track for a win, but Chukwuze and Ekambi made it all square with strikes either side of the break, and Iborra and Bacca added two more after the restart. Messi (who started on the subs’ bench) fired in an angled free kick however in the ninetieth minute, and Luis Suárez volleyed home the equaliser following a corner with the game in time added on. Barça are now eight points clear of second placed Atlético Madrid, who beat Girona 2-0 in the first game of the day. Godín headed the opener with a quarter of an hour to go, and Griezmann rounded things off in injury time on a rapid counter attack. Elsewhere Getafe consolidated fourth spot with a 1-1 draw at Espanyol, Angel saving a point after Borja Iglesias had given the Catalans the lead early on in the second half. (02.04.19)