LaLiga title-chasers Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Real Betis, and Real Sociedad suffered varying results on Sunday. Atletico were pegged back by Valencia; Real Sociedad beat Osasuna; Sevilla defeated Real Betis in the Seville derby.
The race for the LaLiga title heated up on Sunday with several of the title chasers in action. Atletico Madrid were up first, facing Jose Bordalas’ rugged Valencia away from home.
Nonetheless, the incumbent champions did not let the Mestalla atmosphere affect them negatively and took the lead through Luis Suarez in the 35th minute. The Uruguayan took a deft touch to race clear of the Valencia defense and found the net via the post.
Valencia equalized – but not for the last time – five minutes after the restart. Goncalo Guedes picked up the loose ball on the right side of the box before firing it back into a dangerous area, where it took a touch off Stefan Savic and crept into the goal.
Los Rojiblancos had to call upon some Antoine Griezmann magic to re-take the lead, which they did just before the hour-mark. The Frenchman collected the ball in his half, drove forwards with it, and unleashed an unstoppable shot from outside the box – which flew into the top corner. Two minutes later, Sime Vrsaljko bundled the ball over the goal-line from close range to give Atleti a two-goal cushion.
However, Valencia weren’t done yet. Youngster Hugo Duro connected with a Jose Gaya cross in the second minute of stoppage time to pull one back. Four minutes later, Duro brought Los Che level with a glancing header from a Guedes cross.
Atleti, who looked to have secured the three points heading into the 90th minute, had dropped two by the end of the match. They lie fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Real Sociedad – who beat Osasuna 2-0 on the day.
In Seville, the two city rivals – Real Betis and Sevilla – met for the derby with both the teams flying high on the table. However, it was the latter who came out on top thanks to two second-half goals.
Marcos Acuna gave Sevilla the lead after Betis had Guido Rodriguez sent off for two punishable offenses. The left-back blasted the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box, putting Julen Lopetegui’s side ahead.
Arsenal loanee Hector Bellerin later scored an own goal as he turned in a Gonzalo Montiel cross past his goalkeeper, and Sevilla were able to secure maximum points.
