News Archive

First division – day 19

Fifth placed Real Sociedad end the first half of the season four points adrift of the Champions League spots after they lost 1-2 to Villarreal on Sunday. Willian José gave the Basque side the lead midway through the first half, but Trigueros levelled it from the penalty spot after Zubeldia fouled Chukwueze in the area on the hour mark, and Cazorla got the winner a few minutes later to take his side up to ninth. Granada stay a point ahead of them in eighth place following a 1-0 victory over Mallorca in the mid-day game, Soldado setting up Montero for the only goal before the break. The result leaves the islanders in the bottom three after Celta drew 1-1 against Osasuna later in the day, Chimy Ávila depriving the Galicians of a win after Santi Mina had opened the scoring with a quarter of an hour to go. Elsewhere Alavés and Betis drew 1-1, Emerson saving a point for the Andalusians after Aleix Vidal had put the locals in front early on. (05.01.20)

Barcelona made sure of the honorary title of winter champions at the midpoint of the season after a 2-2 draw at city rivals Espanyol in the last game on Saturday, although the points dropped meant that Real Madrid have caught up with them in the table. David López headed the locals in front midway through the first half, but strikes by Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal after the break turned the scoreline around. However De Jong was sent off a few minutes later, and Wu Lei fired the equaliser past Neto to get new coach Abelardo off to a promising start. Earlier in the day Real Madrid beat neighbours Getafe 0-3, Varane heading in a Mendy cross and then a Kroos free kick either side of the break to put them two up, and Modric making it three in injury time. Atlético Madrid are now third, above Sevilla on goal difference, after they won 2-1 against Levante, Felipe heading the winner in the twentieth minute after Roger had cancelled out Correa’s early opener. And Valencia are in to the top six after a 1-0 victory over Eibar, Maxi Gómez heading the only goal from a Wass cross midway through the first half. (04.01.20)

Two matches on Friday to kick off the New Year, both ending all square. Third placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao, who themselves consolidate seventh spot. Capa put the Basque team ahead with an angled shot on the quarter hour mark, but Unai Nuñez turned an Ocampos cross into his own net after the restart to save a point for the locals. Earlier in the evening Valladolid and Leganés drew 2-2, Braithwaite and Roque putting the visitors in front twice, but strikes from Enes Ünal pegging them back both times. Javier Aguirre’s team are now just a point away from escaping the drop zone after picking up eight points in their last four games under the new coach. (03.01.20)