Real Madrid shocked by Girona as Barça and Atlético both win
REAL MADRID missed the chance to go second in the table as GIRONA came from behind to record a shock 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu. Casemiro powered in a first-half header to give Santiago Solari’s team the lead. However, the visitors – who had not won in their previous 13 matches – were back on level terms after 65 minutes as Cristhian Stuani scored from the penalty spot after he had hit a post and Sergio Ramos handled his follow-up attempt. Portu then rattled the crossbar for a resurgent Girona and their efforts were rewarded with 15 minutes remaining as he netted the winner with a diving header. Real’s misery was compounded in the final minute when Ramos was dismissed for a second yellow card after catching Pedro Alcalá in the face with an attempted overhead kick – the 19th red card of the Spain international’s career in La Liga, more than any other player in the top flight.
Lionel Messi scored one penalty and missed another as leaders BARCELONA beat REAL VALLADOLID 1-0 at the Camp Nou in a far from convincing performance. It took until just before the break for Messi to put Barca in front, the Argentine converting from the spot following a foul on Gerard Piqué. In the second half substitute Luis Suárez missed several clear-cut opportunities for the Catalans to have settled matters, while they should also have done so when Philippe Coutinho was brought down by Kiko in the box, but this time Jordi Masip pushed away Messi’s strike. Masip kept his side in it with another excellent save to deny Suárez, with Messi also shooting narrowly wide. Even so, despite a spirited performance from Valladolid, they were unable to force an equaliser and sit just three points above the drop zone.
ATLÉTICO MADRID earned a vital three points with a hard-fought 1-0 win at neighbours RAYO VALLECANO. Jan Oblak in the Atleti goal was forced to make some important stops in a tough first half for Diego Simeone’s men, yet it was Antoine Griezmann who ultimately proved the difference as his deflected strike on 74 minutes went beyond Stole Dimitrievski. The goal was reviewed by VAR with Álvaro Morata stood in an offside position in the buildup, but it was ruled legal as he was not interfering with play. Griezmann’s winner means he becomes the club’s fifth highest scorer of all time with 130 goals.
EIBAR claimed a point as they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to GETAFE. The Madrid side appeared to have continued their impressive campaign when Jaime Mata put them ahead before half-time and Dimitri Foulquier made it two on 52 minutes. But Brazilian striker Charles equalised from the penalty spot after 67 minutes and restored parity as he equalised with 10 minutes remaining.
REAL SOCIEDAD made it seven league games unbeaten as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over LEGANÉS at Anoeta. It was not until the second half that the San Sebastián outfit eventually got their noses in front after Leganés had hit the woodwork in the opening period, Mikel Oyarzabal heading home at the far post on 50 minutes. Oyarzabal was on target again eight minutes later with a left-footed shot after being set up by Adnan Januzaj, while Willian José’s header 15 minutes from time made sure of all three points.
CELTA VIGO’s troubles continued as they went down to a 4-1 home thrashing by LEVANTE. Coke doubled the advantage on half-time with a header from a corner. The Galicians had midfielder Ryad Boudebouz shown a red card four minutes after the restart, and Levante made them pay just after the hour when Morales claimed his second of the evening with a composed finish. Brais Méndez pulled one back for Celta from the penalty spot late on, only for Levante to go immediately up the other end and cap an emphatic win with a goal from Borja Mayoral.
VILLARREAL boosted their survival chances with a 3-0 home victory over high-flying SEVILLA. The Yellow Submarine had gone 10 games without a win but did the damage in a one-sided first half, defender Álvaro González putting them ahead on 20 minutes and
Karl Toko Ekambi finishing off a sublime back-heel from Carlos Bacca on the stroke of half-time. Alfonso Pedraza wrapped things up four minutes from time to move Villarreal up to 18th place and one point from safety.
Both REAL BETIS and ALAVÉS lost ground in the race for European football as they played out a 1-1 draw at the Benito Villamarín. Giovani Lo Celso fired Los Béticos in front after 15 minutes following a scramble in the area, only for central defender Guillermo Maripán to find the net 11 minutes later after he had made a goalline clearance at the other end. Neither side was unable to find a winner in the second period and the result leaves Alavés clinging on to sixth place with Betis three points behind.
VALENCIA and ESPANYOL suffered a frustrating evening at Mestalla with neither side able to make the breakthrough in a 0-0 draw. Los Che striker Kevin Gameiro came closest to scoring in the first half when his effort came back off the crossbar, but despite Valencia dominating proceedings for most of the match they had to settle for a share of the spoils against a resilient Espanyol outfit. The game ended disappointingly for Valencia goal- keeper Neto, who broke a finger while denying an Espanyol effort.
ATHLETIC BILBAO moved into midtable after claiming a narrow 1-0 away win at bottom club HUESCA. The game’s only goal came after 12 minutes when Raúl García netted from the penalty spot following a foul on Iñigo Martínez. Huesca stepped up the pressure in the second half, but the Basques held on for an important three points in to ease their relegation fears in what has so far been a disappointing campaign.