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.
ǁTwitter
Clock Repair Times Ticking Watch Repair Salt Lake City
Soccer Football - Championship Playoff Final - Aston Villa v Derby County - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 27, 2019 Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and John McGinn celebrate winning the playoff
Villa return to Premier League with win over Derby County
Speed key for Socceroos to catch Chile on the hop, writes Harry Kewell. Harry Kewell, News Corp Australia. June 13, 2014 2:09am. Share this on Facebook Vidal is a key player, a box-to-box man
Arnie's search for taegeuk in his Socceroos squad
Premier League top-four race: Who has the best run-in? Manchester United, Arsenal, Spurs or Chelsea? United are currently joint fourth favourites along with Bayern Munich, ahead of both
Arsenal's run-in - metro.co.uk
Feb 09, 2019 · He cited an example from just a couple of years ago. Davy Klaassen was Ajax's captain then. He was 24. The club had high hopes for a young midfielder, Donny van der Beek, but he needed a place
How two Ajax old boys brought famous Dutch club back to the
Mo' Salah was the last man standing from final shortlist of three players - Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah. The Egypt and Liverpool forward was presented the prize last night in Dakar Senegal by former World and African footballer of the year George Weah. Salah has now won the award for the second time in a row.
BREAKING: Mohamed Salah retains CAF player of the Year award
Romelu Lukaku scored twice to make light work of Manchester United's injury crisis with a comfortable Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. The Red Devils were missing eight first-team players at Selhurst Park but extended their unbeaten league run under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to 14 games.
Lukaku double inspires Man United to 3-1 win at Palace
As Jose Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United, we recall the highs and lows of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge, his departure confirmed in the wake of Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Liverpool. His reign included trophy successes in the EFL Cup and
Jose Mourinho sacked: His Manchester United highs and lows
brandsauthority.com/jose-mourinho-sacked-his-manchester-united-highs-and-lows-football-news/
Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United As Jose Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United, we recall the highs and lows of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge, his departure confirmed in the wake of Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Liverpool.His reign included trophy successes in…
Mourinho's highs and lows at Manchester United
Wolves deepen Cardiffs relegation plight with 2-0 win By Andrew Cawthorne Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Cardiff City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - March 2, 2019 Cardiff Citys Sean Morrison shoots at goal Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough March 2
Football: Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win
Jordan Henderson is adamant Liverpool head into Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final, first-leg showdown with Chelsea brimming with the confidence and belief they can take a step closer to Wembley. The Reds welcome the Londoners to Anfield on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run in all
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN is furious with the Barcelona squad after they 'vetoed the decision to sign him', it has been claimed. The French international enraged Atletico fans when he announced he was
Griezmann fires Atletico level with Barcelona - Afriupdate
SYDNEY, Jan 1 (Reuters) - The 17th Asian Cup finals will be the biggest in the 62-year history of the tournament but even with 24 teams battling it out, it is hard to look much beyond regional powers Iran, Japan and South Korea as potential champions. Australia will be hoping to join that trio and
Soccer-Usual suspects in the frame at expanded Asian Cup
A lawyer for FIFA council member Mahfuza Akhter Kiron is set to file a petition in a Bangladesh court on Tuesday seeking bail for the official who has been arrested in a defamation case following her criticism of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Mahfuza courted trouble after her remarks in a news
Bangladesh FIFA official arrested for 'defaming' PM Hasina
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen