MADRID (AFP) - Atletico Madrid delayed Barcelona winning La Liga by a few days at least after Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann each scored in a 3-2 victory over Valencia on Wednesday (April 24).
Defeat at the Wanda Metropolitano would have crowned Barca kings of Spain for a 26th time in their history, with the Catalans now set to celebrate at their own Camp Nou on Saturday instead.
A Barcelona win there over Levante will wrap up their fourth league triumph in five years and they could even be home and dry before kick-off, if Atletico fail to take a point at home to struggling Real Valladolid earlier in the day.
Regardless, success for Ernesto Valverde's side is surely now only a matter of timing given Atletico remain nine points behind the leaders with four games left to play. Real Madrid, who visit Getafe on Thursday, are 16 adrift.
If Getafe win, they will also move five points ahead of Valencia, whose chances of snatching fourth place and Champions League qualification would now appear remote.
But there will be some satisfaction at least for Atletico in making Barcelona win it on their own terms while also avoiding the embarrassment of conceding the title with a loss in front of their home fans.
Angel Correa's stunning strike in the 81st minute proved the winner after Valencia had fought back, Kevin Gameiro and a Dani Parejo penalty twice pulling them level after goals from Morata and Griezmann.
Morata's early strike continued his excellent form since his move to Atletico in January, his finish at the back post taking his tally to six goals in 13 games for the club.
Griezmann, meanwhile, back from suspension, now has 25 goals in all competitions this season, an impressive return, particularly in a side not renowned for its creativity.
Atletico were ahead inside 10 minutes as Juanfran's cross met the outstretched foot of Morata at the back post.
It was no less than they deserved for an aggressive opening but Valencia grew into the half and equalised shortly before half-time.
Francis Coquelin's crossfield pass picked out Carlos Soler, who cushioned inside to Santi Mina. Mina flicked the ball brilliantly between Diego Godin and Stefan Savic before squaring to Gameiro, who had time to pick his spot.
Atletico regrouped during the interval and were back in front four minutes after, Griezmann jumping ahead of Jose Gaya to nod in Thomas Lemar's cross.
But Valencia came again and a chaotic contest took another twist when Gameiro's shot was shown by VAR to have been blocked by the arm of Saul Niguez. Parejo powered into the corner.
The game was in the balance as Griezmann glanced a header wide before Correa, on as a substitute, provided the winning touch. Thomas Partey played into his feet but Correa did the rest, turning, twisting and then bending the ball inside Neto's left-hand post. Barca will have to wait.
Tottenham Hotspur gained sweet revenge over north London rivals Arsenal as goals in each half by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned them a 2-0 win on Wednesday and a League Cup semi-final place.
Spurs take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis
Football: Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia 3-1 in Europa League LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in the first half and fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang snatched a last-gasp third goal to secure a 3-1 win over Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday (May 2).
Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia - Cyprus Mail
Football: Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory MADRID (AFP) - Mohamed Salah expressed his delight at playing a full role in Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham on Saturday (June 1), after injury ruined his night against Real Madrid a year ago.
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/01/salah-lauds-unbelievable-liverpool-after-champions-league-glory/
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory AFP June 1, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Mohamed Salah expressed his delight at playing a full role in Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham on Saturday, after injury ruined his night against Real Madrid a year ago.
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory
Real Madrid's 2019/20 home strip appears to have been leaked through a collection of images which have emerged online - and the design is set to delight Los Blancos fans. The kit features a design
Real Madrid Reportedly Set To Unveil Eden Hazard On Monday
LONDON • Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has accepted it will be hard to deny Eden Hazard a move to Real Madrid this summer, even if a reported £100 million (S$176.7 million) move is "too cheap
Hard to keep Hazard: Sarri - theworldnews.net
Defender Kadeisha Buchanan scored on the stroke of halftime to hand Canada a winning start to the women's World Cup as they edged Cameroon 1-0 at a rainy Stade de La Mosson on Monday.
Canada open World Cup campaign with slender win over Cameroon
Hard to keep Hazard: Sarri LONDON • Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has accepted it will be hard to deny Eden Hazard a move to Real Madrid this summer, even if a reported £100 million (S$176.7 million) move is "too cheap" for the Belgium captain.
Hard to keep hold of Hazard, admits Sarri | The Daily Star
Football: Qatar thrash UAE amid shoe barrage to reach Asian Cup final Qatar's defender Hamid Ismeil (2nd right) celebrates their fourth goal against UAE during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup semi-final
Qatar thrash UAE amid shoe barrage to reach Asian Cup final
Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal as Arsenal dispatched Napoli 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League semi-finals 3-0 on aggregate. Lacazette's stunning 36th-minute free-kick put
Arsenal win in Napoli to reach Europa League semi-finals
Revived Dutch ready for 'big things' Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has praised the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Gini Wijnaldum ahead of today's Belarus clash. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ONSORANJE.
Revived Dutch ready for 'big things' - theworldnews.net
Premier League Clubs 'Strongly Opposed' to Proposed UEFA
Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday, spearheading the ambitious country's attempts to become a footballing force at
Fabio Cannavaro named new coach of China - Sportstar
Breaking news headlines about Video Assistant Referees linking to 1,000s of websites from around the world
Since then, it has not been so much a case of playing Pogba differently as giving him the trust and licence to express himself. Sometimes football can be as simple as an arm around the shoulder or
OLP OLE Palemia - Posts | Facebook
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen