Moreno strike gives Villarreal crucial win at Girona, Bilbao down Celta
MADRID: Gerard Moreno grabbed a last-minute winner to earn Villarreal a vital 2-1 win at Girona in Spanish League and boost their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
The Yellow Submarine, fith, moved two points behind Real Sociedad, fourth, who face newlycrowned champions Barcelona.
Yeremy Pino opened the scoring for the visitors ater being teed up by Nicolas Jackson at Montilivi but David Lopez pegged Villarreal back.
Jackson also set up Moreno’s late strike with a sprint down the let and an inviting cross for the forward to gleefully slam home.
The 31-year-old Spain international, brought on as a substitute, has struggled for form and fitness ater injury.
“We want (Real Sociedad) to lose, I hope they lose, it’s what we want, so we’ll watch the game,” said Jackson.
Ghana forward Inaki Williams made a significant impact as Athletic Bilbao secured a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo
The 28-year-old played a key role in Bilbao’s success, finding the back of the net and playing for 83 minutes. Williams wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring just five minutes into the game. He capitalised on a pass from Oscar de Marcos to give Bilbao an early lead. With this goal, the home team headed into haltime with a one-goal advantage. Celta however, fought back in the second half and equalized through Jorgen Strand Larsen in the 50th minute.
Nonetheless, Bilbao quickly responded, with Ale Berenguer finding the net just four minutes later to secure the victory for the home side at the San Mames stadium.
CADIZ ESCAPE RELEGATION zone: Theo Bongonda scored twice to help Cadiz beat Valladolid 2-0 at home and win the clash between teams trying to avoid relegation from the Spanish League on Friday.
The forward struck from long range to break the deadlock in the 69th minute. He added the second from the penalty spot in the 76th ater Javi Sanchez fouled Anthony Lozano with Cadiz on a counteratack.
Valladolid played the final 10 minutes with 10 men ater Martin Hongla received a direct red card for elbowing Lozano in the head while disputing the ball.
Cadiz’s Ruben Alcaraz missed a first-half penalty when he sent his spot kick off the crossbar.
Cadiz rose into 14th place and four points from 18th-placed Getafe in the relegation zone.
Valladolid were 17th, one point ahead of Getafe before they play the already demoted Elche.