Real lose, Barca close in on unbeaten season
OUSMANE DEMBELE scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Villarreal 5-1 yesterday and edged closer to their first ever unbeaten season in La Liga.
But Real Madrid slipped to their only league defeat since February as a heavilyrotated side lost 3-2 away at Sevilla.
Lionel Messi volleyed in a sumptuous pass from Andres Iniesta at the Nou Camp to put Barca three up at halftime after Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho had scored one apiece in the first 16 minutes.
The second period, however, belonged to Dembele, who capped an excellent individual display with two goals after the Frenchman’s sensational run had also earlier set up Coutinho.
Villarreal managed a consolation when Pablo Fornals’ shot deflected in off Nicola Sansone but any fears Ernesto Valverde’s side would feel the effects of Sunday’s proved unfounded.
The league leaders moved 15 points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top while Villarreal stay sixth.
The Yellow Submarine are only three points ahead of Sevilla, however, who climbed back into the Europa League qualification spots with a well-deserved win over Real.
Zinedine Zidane said he wanted to maintain momentum ahead of their Champions League final against Liverpool on May 26 but Marcelo, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo were among those not even included in his squad.
Sevilla took full advantage as Wissam Ben Yedder, Miguel Layun and a Sergio Ramos own-goal put them three up, before Real substitute Borja Mayoral and a late Ramos penalty late gave Real a flatteringly close result.
Barca drew last weekend against Real, despite playing the entire second half with 10 men, and they now need only avoid defeat in matches away at Levante and home to Real Sociedad to complete the campaign as invincibles.
“In the end we have scored two great goals, we are happy about this and we keep the run going,” Valverde said. – AFP