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.
Warriors v Hougang United LiveStream Short Preview Outsider and one of the leaders will play in this match (ranked 9 and 2 in the zone Promotion to AFC Cup). Recent
Toyota operating profit growth to drop this year on revenue slip
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR News - Find latest News & top stories about TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR. Get more information about TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR at straitstimes.com. 'Fuming' Spurs must not dwell on Wolves loss
Arsenal vs Rennes: Unai Emery's Gunners have a system, a plan
sportslifetale.com/soccer/arsenal-vs-rennes-unai-emerys-gunners-have-a-system-a-plan-and-a-new-identity-are-they-finally-back/
Have Arsenal finally clicked? Have they turned into a team? Are they - for the first time in years - moving forwards again? We have been here far too many times already this season: the 11-game winning streak, the victories over Tottenham or Chelsea, the 'we've got our Arsenal back' at Craven Cottage back in […]
'Everyone is fuming' Harry Winks reveals how Tottenham
A revival of monumental proportions is the only hope we have to see the hearts and minds of multiplied millions turn to God. If it is the only hope—then with God, it is inevitable. A Third Great Awakening is upon us. God is allowing things to boil, bringing things to the surface so that He can deal with them.
Funny Dutch expressions - Stuff Dutch People Like
Football News. March 7, 2019 / 8:20 PM / 3 months ago. Soccer-10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held. Andrew Downie. Sevilla, who have won the Europa League three times, twice went ahead
10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held - bdnews24.com
It will be an epic game of chess when Home United take on Albirex Niigata FC (S) in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the Bishan Stadium on Wednesday. Despite an overhaul of the squad that
Kompany's final battle? Man City legend still vital as Pep's
Lets his emotions run wild after stunning win. ePaper; These boys are giants, says Jurgen Klopp AFP Liverpool "We played against maybe the best team in world. I don't know how the boys
'These boys are giants': Klopp salutes Liverpool heroes
The Reds stay on top of the Premier League on 69 points, just ahead of Manchester City on 68 points. Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford to stay top. By. Former football superstars to play
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford to stay top - The Bruneian
team/media watch/2019/april/man city news transfer gossip tottenham champions league kevin de bruyne raheem sterling
Pep Guardiola said he was proud of his Manchester City players and the Club's supporters after our Champions League quest ended in heart-breaking fashion at home to Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hails players and supporters after agonising Champions League exit
What the papers said about Spurs' famous - football.london
Making a name for himself, Fandi's second son Ikhsan wants to step out of dad's shadow, succeed in Norway stint Ikhsan Fandi netted five goals in 12 internationals, more than any other Singapore
Making a name for himself, Fandi's second son Ikhsan wants to
Real Madrid 'set to unveil Eden Hazard at the Bernabeu on Monday' after club agree £115m fee with Chelsea. Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sell Eden Hazard to Real Madrid for £115m
Report: Hazard Finalizing Deal To Join Real Madrid
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in doubt for Leicester game Liverpool have limited options in defence with right back Trent Alexander-Arnold needing more time to recover from a knee injury and James Milner suspended.
Virgil van Dijk a doubt for Liverpool ahead of Leicester clash
Football: Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino Pochettino celebrates after the match with Tottenham's Fernando Llorente and Son Heung-min. PHOTO: REUTERS Published
Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino
No comments:
Post a Comment