Sevilla keep pace with Barcelona
Madrid, March 3: Sevilla moved to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona as Vicente Iborra’s first-half winner earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Sevilla remain third, just a point behind Real Madrid, who also have a game in hand on their title rivals.
Sevilla were awarded a penalty on 14 minutes when Luciano Vietto was upended by Borja Etxeita.
And despite Iraizoz’s best efforts once more as he saved Jovetic’s spot-kick, Iborra forced home the rebound for the only goal.
Athletic twice came close to an equaliser as Raul Garcia headed against the woodwork before stinging the palms of Sergio Rico.
However, Sevilla held on to remain firmly in the title hunt.
Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at Deportivo, with Florin Andone capitalising on a poor goal kick from Jan Oblak early on to run through and slot home.
Atletico responded after half-time in stunning fashion when Antoine Griezmann thrashed home a shot from fully 30 yards.
Madrid wary of plucky Eibar Madrid: Pedro Leon was mocked by Jose Mourinho for not being Zinedine Zidane when at Real Madrid. Now the in-form Eibar winger could deal a huge blow to Zidane’s hopes of landing the La Liga title.
Zidane’s men will be confronted by an Eibar side launching the most unlikely challenge for a place in Europe next season.
Madrid have already suffered at the hands of Eibar this season in a 1-1 draw at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu in October.
Bale will be suspended after the first red card of his Real career in midweek as Madrid fell a point behind Barcelona at the top of the table. Madrid battled back from 3-1 down with 10 men against Las Palmas thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s double. Results: Deportivo la Coruna 1 (Andone 13) Atletico Madrid 1 (Griezmann 68), Sevilla 1 (Iborra 14) Athletic Bilbao 0 Fixtures: Saturday: Real Betis vs Real Sociedad (1:15 AM), Leganes vs Granada (5:30 PM), Eibar vs Real Madrid (8:45 PM), Villarreal vs Espanyol (11:00 PM). Sunday: Barcelona vs Celta Vigo (1:15 AM), Sporting Gijon vs Deportivo la Coruna (4:30 PM), Atletico Madrid vs Valencia (8:45 PM), Las Palmas vs Osasuna (11:00 PM) Monday: Athletic Bilbao vs Malaga (1:15 AM). Tuesday: Alaves vs Sevilla (1:15 AM)