Atletico win delays Barca title party

Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 3-2 last night to delay Barcelona’s title celebrations. Atletico cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to nine points but the Catalan club look likely to clinch the crown at the weekend.

Barcelona beat Alaves 2-0 on Tuesday and would have sealed their second straight league trophy – and eighth in 11 seasons – if Atletico had lost at home.

Now Barca will have to wait until Saturday when a win over relegationthreatened Levante at the Camp Nou will be enough.

The Catalan club can also secure their 26th title if Atletico lose their match at Valladolid earlier on Saturday. A draw for Atletico will leave Barcelona needing only a point against Levante.

“We are doing our part, which is to keep winning and keep fighting until the end,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.

“But Barcelona have had a great season and I’m sure won’t miss their chance to win the title on Saturday.”

Substitute Angel Correa scored the winning goal for Atletico with a curling shot from outside the area in the 81st minute.

Earlier, striker Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for the hosts after a cross by Juanfran Torres in the 10th minute but, near the end of the first half, forward Kevin Gameiro equalised from inside the penalty area for Valencia, who remain fifth in the table.

Antoine Griezmann put Atletico ahead again early in the second period with a close-range header but Dani Parejo levelled by converting a 77th-minute penalty awarded after video review for a handball by Saul Niguez inside the box.

The crowd was one of the season’s lowest for Atletico, with the match played in steady rain at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, which will host this year’s Champions League final.