News Archive

First division – day 32

More woes for Real Sociedad, a 2-1 defeat at Getafe on Monday leaving the Basque side down in seventh spot having only taken one point from the five post-lockdown games. Mata put the locals in front from the penalty spot midway through the first half after Le Normand fouled Hugo Duro, and although Januzaj levelled it from Oyarzabal’s assist, Jorge Molina set up Mata near the end to give the Madrid based side a win which takes them back up to fifth. (29.06.20)

Real Madrid have opened up a two point gap over Barcelona after a 0-1 victory at Espanyol on Sunday night. Local coach Abelardo was fired shortly before kick-off, technical director Rufete taking his place, but a goal by Casemiro following a clever back-heel pass by Benzema on the stroke of half time left the Catalans still languishing at the foot of the table. Villarreal are now fifth after they beat neighbours Valencia 2-0 earlier in the afternoon, Gerardo Moreno setting up Alcácer for the opener, and then firing in the second just before the break in a move where the ball didn’t touch the ground from Asenjo’s clearance to Cazorla’s deft touch to the striker’s volley. That also signalled the end for Valencia coach Celades, who was replaced by his assistant Voro (taking over as caretaker there for the sixth time in his career). Levante move up safely to mid-table after a 4-2 victory over Betis, Mayoral and Bardhi putting them two up at the break, and Morales and Rochina adding two more before Canales and Juanmi saved a bit of pride for the visitors. And Eibar are now nine points clear of the drop zone after a 1-2 win at Granada, Kike García getting the winner after Soldado had equalised De Blasis’s opening goal. (28.06.20)

Barcelona dropped points on Saturday, and although they go back to the top of the table for 24 hours after a 2-2 draw at Celta, they could be two points behind Real Madrid by the end of the weekend. Luis Suárez scored both goals for the Catalans, both from Messi assists, but Iago Aspas set up Smolov and then curled a free kick around the defensive wall to peg them back both times. Later in the evening Atlético Madrid strengthened their third spot with a 2-1 win over Alavés, a Saúl header from a Trippier free kick, and a Diego Costa penalty following a foul by Duarte on Llorente putting them two up before Joselu got a last minute consolation from the penalty spot. Athletic Bilbao closed in on the European spots with a 3-1 victory over struggling Mallorca, a Raúl García and a strike by Sancet putting them two up early on. Budimir got one back after the break with another penalty, but Villalibre wrapped things up in injury time. And Osasuna made sure of their place in the top flight for another season after beating next to bottom side Leganés 2-1, Enric Gallego getting a last gasp winner after Javi Avilés had cancelled out Gallego’s earlier strike. (27.06.20)

Sevilla have not really got going since the lockdown, and they could only draw 1-1 against Valladolid on Friday night, the fourth game in a row that Lopetegui’s side have shared the points. Kiko Olivas headed the visitors in front from Michel’s free kick before the break, but Ocampos converted a late penalty after Javi Sánchez was adjudged to have handled the ball deliberately in the area to at least consolidate fourth spot. (26.06.20)