Guedes lives up to Ronaldo billing
GONCALO GUEDES scored a stunning solo goal to boost Valencia’s chances of qualifying for European football with a 2-0 win over Osasuna. Portugal winger Guedes stunned Osasuna by picking up the ball near the halfway line, dribbling past four defenders, then unleashing a curling shot into the top corner from 16 yards to open the scoring. The Valencia No 7, who has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, showed great composure to keep his balance after almost being brought down on his way to goal. Rodrigo, once of Bolton Wanderers, added the second before half-time, having had a third-minute goal ruled out by VAR for offside. Rafinha Alcantara, who has been linked in the Catalan press with a move to Arsenal, scored twice as Celta Vigo moved away from La Liga’s relegation zone with a 6-0 thrashing of Alaves. Celta had not scored for four games, but they romped to victory with former Liverpool forward Iago Aspas and ex-Manchester City striker Nolito also among the goals. Brazil midfielder Rafinha, who is on loan at Celta from Barcelona, could be available for £14million this summer. Barca, who drew 0-0 at Sevilla on Friday, suffered a further blow to their hopes of retaining the title by confirming yesterday that Frenkie de Jong has a calf injury. According to reports, the Holland midfielder could miss the rest of the season. Real Betis, without a win in three games since play resumed, sacked their manager Rubi following Saturday’s defeat by Athletic Bilbao, replacing him with sporting director Alexis Trujillo. In Italy, Atalanta brushed aside Sassuolo 4-1 to go six points clear of fifth-placed Roma in the hunt for a Champions League place. Colombia striker Duvan Zapata scored twice in Atalanta’s first game since coronavirus shut down Serie A and devastated the Lombardy region where the club are based. Before the game there was a minute’s silence for victims of the virus and Atalanta, who have a Champions League quarter-final to look forward to in August, seemed determined to put on a show. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini was emotional throughout and, having seen a 20th-minute goal wiped out by VAR, he erupted when the video ref turned down a penalty appeal in the second half. He was sent from the touchline by the referee. The Russian Premier League also resumed at the weekend, but was marred by fresh accusations of racist abuse. The Russian FA are assessing chants directed at Zenit St Petersburg’s Brazilian forward Malcom, who scored twice in a 4-0 win at CSKA Moscow.