MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona were made to wait to retain their La Liga title on Saturday (April 27) as closest challengers Atletico Madrid scraped past strugglers Real Valladolid 1-0 after surviving late VAR penalty drama.
Ernesto Valverde's side would have been crowned champions for the eighth time in 11 seasons ahead of their home clash with Levante later had Atletico lost to relegation-threatened Valladolid, but Joaquin Fernandez's own goal was enough to seal the three points and delay the Barca title party.
However they had to endure a nervy final few minutes in which Jan Oblak had to be at his best and they survived a late VAR check over what looked like a clear Santiago Arias handball in the area.
"It's controversial, a ball that hits the hand and the referee's decision is to see if it's voluntary or not," said Saul Niguez, whose cross led to their fortunate winner and who gave away a penalty in a similar fashion during Wednesday's 3-2 win over Valencia.
The victory means second-placed Atletico are six points behind Barca, who now have to beat Levante at the Camp Nou later in order to take the title with three matches to spare before they host Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
Should Barca win as expected, they will hold their nine-point lead over Atleti, who will no longer be able to overtake the Catalans thanks to their inferior head-to-head record.
However Diego Simeone's side will be satisfied they are nine points ahead of local rivals and reigning European champions Real Madrid, who travel to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday amid increasing speculation they will respond to a disappointing season by swooping for Eden Hazard and Neymar.
"It's what we deserve, no more, no less. We've come so far," added Saul.
"There were moments when we wanted to be first and others that I would say no, that's what we deserve."
UNDER-PAR ATLETICO
Valladolid meanwhile stay 17th, just one point and a place away from the relegation zone after a match they will feel they were unlucky to lose.
Atletico were far from their intense best, and the first half was a drab affair enlivened by a few Valladolid pot shots and a fine save from Jordi Masip, who did well to tip away Antoine Griezmann's free-kick.
However they upped their game early in the second half and got the breakthrough in the 66th minute when Joaquin launched himself at Saul's cross from the left and headed the ball past Masip into his own goal.
That didn't stop Valladolid though, and the away side thought they would be given a chance to equalise from the spot with just four minutes left when Arias appeared to handle a cross, only for referee Mario Melero Lopez to give a corner following a long VAR check.
They then forced saves from Oblak before Fernando Calero hit the post with a header two minutes into stoppage time, but they couldn't make their late flurry count.
Earlier on Saturday, Athletic Bilbao and Alaves did their chances of European football next season no favours with a 1-1 draw in the Basque Country.
Seventh-placed Bilbao are five points away from the Champions league places - with Alaves a further three points back - and could also see Valencia and Sevilla take the Europa league further away from them when they take on Eibar and Girona.
Both Liverpool and Manchester City won on Wednesday, but Pep Guardiola expects both sides will drop points in the Premier League title race.
Guardiola expecting twists in Man City-Liverpool title race
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England started what they hope is a road back to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Czech Republic to open their qualifying
Football: Sterling hits hat-trick as England thrash Czech
. Destiny Beckons
After Vincent Kompany's decision to join boyhood club Anderlecht as player-manager, we reflect on his best moments at Manchester City. Vincent Kompany said he had "lived the dream" as he
Vincent Kompany after FA Cup win: Man City are best team in
Manchester City remain a point behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race after a Sergio Aguero penalty secured them a 1-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola's side
Man City 1-0 West Ham: Sergio Aguero penalty, Man City one
If she's taking her sweet time to get back to you, it's one of the biggest signs for how to tell if a girl is playing hard to get. Playing hard to get often means making the other person wait, even when it personally pains you to do so.
Is it ever a good idea to play hard to get — when you're
Barca display solid defence. Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic beating Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Sergio Ramos to score the winning goal on Saturday. PHOTO: EPA-EFE.
Luis Enrique hails solid defensive display against Real Sociedad
Mar 30, 2019 · Southampton climbed five points clear of the relegation zone and drew level with Brighton after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's goal gave them a priceless victory. Ralph Hasenhüttl surged on to the
Liverpool's Salah, Firmino ruled out of Barcelona game Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - May 4, 2019. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after sustaining an injury.
Mohamed Salah doubtful for Liverpool vs Barcelona second leg
FRANKFURT, May 2 (Reuters) - Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 with Chelsea in their Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday with Pedro grabbing what could prove a crucial away goal for the
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Chelsea: Europa League semi-final
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba's form has been affected by playing with Alexis Sanchez and being used in different roles - but there are solutions. He can get away with not playing
Pogba strikes twice as Man United win on Solskjaer home bow Wednesday December 26 2018 Manchester Unuted's Paul Pogba celebrates a goal against Huddersfield on December 26, 2018 at Old Trafford.
Pogba strikes twice as Man Utd win on Solskjaer home debut
Rooney bags first MLS hat trick in DC romp. Former England star Wayne Rooney scored three goals on Saturday night to lead DC United to a crushing 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Rooney
Football: Wayne Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in D.C. romp
Molest her ancient solitary reign. Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade, Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap, Each in his narrow cell for ever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep. The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn, The swallow twitt'ring from the straw-built shed, The cock's shrill clarion, or the
0 comments:
Post a Comment