News Archive

First division – day 35

Real Madrid are just two wins away from the league title after a 2-0 victory over Alavés on Friday! Benzema converted an early penalty after Ximo Navarro brought down Mendy in the area, and Marco Asensio got the second after Benzema set him up after the restart to make it eight victories (and five clean sheets) in a row since the lockdown for Zidane’s side. Two of the three Europa League spots are still in the balance though, Granada back in the fray after a 2-3 win at Real Sociedad earlier in the evening. The Andalusians went two up in the first half with a Puertas header and a Soldado strike, and although goals by Mikel Merino and Oyarzabal levelled the scores, Domingos Duarte headed the winner from a Machís cross with two minutes to go. Only five points now separate sixth placed Getafe from tenth placed Athletic. (10.07.20)

Fourth placed Sevilla moved another step closer to a Champions League spot after coming from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 1-2 on Thursday, the win, coupled with other results earlier in the week, meaning that only Villarreal can now leapfrog them in the table. Capa fired the locals into the lead after Vesga’s shot deflected to him on the half hour mark, but Banega curled in a free kick and then set up Munir to head the second in a five minute period midway through the second half. Further down the table, Leganés look set to join Espanyol in the second division after they could only draw 0-0 at Eibar, the result leaving them six points away from safety. The last relegation spot is still very open though after Mallorca beat the already safe Levante 2-0, Cucho Hernández and Kubo getting the goals at the end of the first and second halves to take the islanders to within three points of Alavés (who visit Real Madrid tomorrow), and four of Eibar and Celta. (09.07.20)

A dramatic night in the Nou Camp on Wednesday, Barcelona beating Espanyol 1-0 to send their city rivals down to the second division for the first time in twenty-seven years. Both teams were left with ten men when youngsters Ansu Fati and Pol Lozano were sent off within minutes of each other at the start of the second half, but Luis Suárez won it after combining with Griezmann and Messi to beat Diego López a few minutes later. Barça close to within a point of leaders Real Madrid pending their game on Friday, and Villarreal are now just a point below fourth placed Sevilla after a 1-3 victory at Getafe. All the goals came in the second half, Cazorla converting two penalties for fouls on Moi Gómez, Hugo Duro heading in a Portillo cross in between, and Rubén Peña making it three near the end. Villarreal move four points clear of their hosts, but the game ended in disarray, with a series of red cards after the final whistle. Elsewhere Betis beat Osasuna to secure their spot in the top flight for another season, Guido Rodríguez and Pedraza putting them two up by the break, and Aleñá rounding things off injury time. (08.07.20)

We’re already in to week 35 in this frenzied return after the lockdown, and third placed Atlético Madrid are looking good for a Champions League spot after a 1-1 draw at Celta on Tuesday night. Simeone’s side seemed to be on their way for a comfortable victory when Morata turned in Correa’s deflected cross with less than a minute on the clock, but Beltrán hooked in the equaliser soon after the restart to take the Galicians seven points clear of the drop zone. Earlier in the evening Valencia beat Valladolid 2-1 to move up to eighth, Kang-In Lee firing home the winner with a couple of minutes to go after Víctor García had cancelled out Maxi Gómez’s earlier strike. (07.07.20)