Tag: La Liga

Villarreal claimed third place in La Liga with an emphatic 5-1 win over Atletico Madrid, who finished fourth, in the final match of the Spanish season.

It was Marcelino Garcia Toral’s last in charge of the Yellow Submarine, and he guided them to a comfortable victory against an uninterested Atletico side. Finishing third is Villarreal’s highest placement in La Liga for 13 years.

Villarreal captain Dani Parejo opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 29th minute in what was also his final match for the club.

It sparked a burst of several goals before half-time, with Ayoze Perez firing home three minutes later.

Georges Mikautadze tucked away the third after Perez found him after holding the ball up on a break, with Clement Lenglet lead-footed and unable to stop the Georgian forward.

Marc Pubill pulled one back with a header from Antoine Griezmann’s corner, on the French forward’s final Atletico appearance before his switch to MLS side Orlando City.

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It proved a brief respite for Atletico, as Pape Gueye smashed into the top corner from outside the area for Villarreal’s fourth before the break.

Perez smashed home for Villarreal early in the second half as the Yellow Submarine kept the goals flowing.

Notably, it was Atletico coach Diego Simeone’s 800th match at the helm since he took over in 2011, but not one he will remember fondly.

Atletico, who lost in the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-finals, end the season empty-handed.

“This can’t happen to us, we have to repair it next season, we can’t let in that many goals,” said Atletico skipper Koke. “We’ve got a bitter taste left in the mouth… (cup disappointments) and a disaster in La Liga, we have to be higher up.”

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Newly-crowned Spanish champions Barcelona suffered a 1-0 defeat by Alaves on Wednesday, ending their bid to match the all-time La Liga record points total of 100.

Hansi Flick’s side needed to win their remaining three matches to reach that figure, but fell at the first hurdle in Vitoria.

Ibrahim Diabate’s goal in first-half stoppage time earned Alaves a vital victory in their battle against relegation, taking Quique Sanchez Flores’s team out of the drop zone and up to 15th.

Barca coach Flick gave 21-year-old centre-back Alvaro Cortes his debut, among several changes to the side that won the Clasico on Sunday to clinch back-to-back league titles.

The Catalans celebrated winning La Liga on Monday with an open-top bus parade, and their performance reflected that to some extent.

Barca had plenty of the ball and winger Marcus Rashford offered energy, but Alaves dug deep to keep the visitors at arm’s length.

Just before the break, Diabate fired past Wojciech Szczesny, after Antonio Blanco headed a corner back towards goal, with Barca defenders not reacting quickly.

Szczesny pushed away a Diabate strike early in the second half as Alaves tried to double their lead.

Barcelona struggled to create any clear chances, and the hosts came close through Jon Guridi, who beat Szczesny but struck the post with a drive across goal.

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Earlier, Sevilla produced a sensational comeback from two goals down to beat Villarreal 3-2 and climb towards safety.

The Andalusian side have been struggling towards the bottom in recent months but secured their third consecutive victory to rise up to 10th provisionally, four points clear of the drop zone.

Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze fired hosts Villarreal, third, into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes.

However, Oso and Kike Salas pulled Sevilla level before the break, and Akor Adams struck in the 72nd minute to seal Sevilla’s win.

This came in a week where their former defender, Sergio Ramos, is reported to be close to completing a takeover of the club alongside an investment firm.

“It’s an indescribable feeling, giving back to the fans all the love they give us,” said Sevilla defender Salas.

Espanyol defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home to win their first match in 2026, ending an 18-game run without a victory.

Pere Milla and Kike Garcia’s second-half goals helped the Catalan side, 14th, move three points clear of the bottom three.

“It’s been one of the worst experiences of my professional and personal life,” said Espanyol coach Manolo Gonzalez of his team’s winless run.

The coach had tears in his eyes after Garcia struck late on to guarantee his team victory at long last.

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FC Barcelona legend Lionel Messi congratulated his former club on social media after the Catalans defeated arch-rivals Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico to secure the La Liga title at a packed Camp Nou.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres in the first half guided Hansi Flick’s side to their 29th league crown and a second consecutive La Liga triumph.

The victory moved Barcelona 14 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid with only three matches remaining, confirming the title and condemning Los Blancos to a trophyless campaign.

Shortly after the final whistle, Messi shared his reaction on Instagram, posting a story with the words “Champion” and “Visca Barca,” meaning “Long live Barcelona.”

The Argentine icon spent 18 remarkable years at Barcelona and remains the club’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances.

Messi won every major trophy during his legendary spell at Camp Nou before leaving the club in 2021 in emotional circumstances to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He later moved to Inter Miami, where he guided the MLS side to the 2025 MLS Cup title.

Barcelona entered the Clasico needing only to avoid defeat to secure the title, but the Catalans showed attacking intent from the start in front of a jubilant 62,000-strong crowd at Camp Nou.

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It marked the first Clasico at the stadium since its reopening, and the hosts responded with a dominant first-half display.

Rashford opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick from around 20 yards out, curling the ball into the top-left corner to spark wild celebrations.

Torres then doubled Barcelona’s advantage before halftime to put the champions firmly in control.

The match also carried historical significance as it was only the second time a La Liga title had been decided directly through the result of an El Clasico.

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BARCELONA: Defending champions Barcelona secured their 29th La Liga title after beating arch-rivals Real Madrid 2-0 in the Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres struck in the first half to help Hansi Flick’s side clinch La Liga in consecutive years, while consigning Madrid to a trophyless season.

Barcelona moved an unassailable 14 points clear of second-place Los Blancos with three matches remaining.

This was only the second time the outcome of La Liga has been decided directly by the result of a Clasico, with record 36-time champions Real Madrid winning their first title in 1932 after a draw with Barcelona.

Flick’s team were disappointed to be knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid in April, but were still determined to celebrate in style.

“This title is more special for winning it at home against Madrid, now we have to enjoy it with the fans,” Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar.

“We have been the best team in Spain, of course, we (also) want to win the Champions League, that’s the objective. Next year we will have another opportunity.”

Real Madrid arrived at the match embroiled in chaos, after midfielder Fede Valverde was ruled out with a head injury following a training ground scuffle with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni, who started.

Barca coach Flick received bad news before the game, with his father passing away, but took his place on the touchline regardless, to oversee his side’s comfortable triumph.

The German opted for the energetic Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, on the right wing in place of the injured teenage star Lamine Yamal.

The Catalans, who only needed to avoid defeat, came out with their eyes firmly locked on the prize, racing into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes.

Rashford opened the scoring with a superb free-kick, whipping the ball into the top left corner from a position 20 yards out, right of centre.

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Torres doubled the hosts’ advantage at a jubilant Camp Nou, the 62,000-strong crowd enjoying the first Clasico back there since the stadium was reopened.

Dani Olmo produced a clever backheel to allow Torres to burst into the box and ram past Thibaut Courtois.

Gonzalo Garcia, playing in place of injured Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, prodded narrowly wide after racing in behind Barca’s high defensive line.

Urged on by coach Alvaro Arbeloa on the touchline, unlikely to be at the helm next season, Real Madrid battled to stem the bleeding.

Rashford could have added a third before the break but fired wide, with Fermin Lopez unmarked and well placed to finish.

Torres should have struck early in the second half, but Courtois saved from the Spain international as he ran through.

Jude Bellingham put the ball in Barcelona’s net, but the goal was ruled out for offside, while Joan Garcia thwarted Vinicius Junior as Madrid threatened.

Barcelona fans batted inflatable beach balls around to taunt the Brazilian over his unfulfilled Ballon d’Or ambitions, and lapped up the party atmosphere.

Courtois was saved from substitutes Raphinha, back after injury, and Robert Lewandowski as Madrid saw out the remainder of the match without taking further damage.

Flick’s side remain on course to match the record of 100 points in a league season and can win all their home matches if they defeat Real Betis in the one remaining.

Meanwhile, Madrid finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy, staring down the barrel of a summer reshuffle, including former coach Jose Mourinho being linked with a potential return.

What is clear is that, for now, president Florentino Perez cannot seem to find the solution to end Flick’s Barca’s domestic domination.

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With the sting of Champions League disappointment fading but still felt, Barcelona aim to secure consecutive La Liga titles on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Real Madrid for El Clasico.

Leading by 11 points, Hansi Flick’s side only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned champions again, although a victory against a Los Blancos team in crisis would keep them on course to make history — and celebrate in style.

If Barcelona win their last four league games this season, starting with the battle against Alvaro Arbeloa’s fracturing Madrid, they will match the all-time league record of 100 points.

That was first achieved by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in the 2011-12 season and followed by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona the season after.

Barca’s 29 wins so far this season are the most of any side at this point, and if they win their last four games, they will break the record of 32 victories in a season, shared by the Mourinho and Vilanova sides.

Should Barcelona beat Madrid and also Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game La Liga season.

However, they are without teenage star Lamine Yamal, who is out for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

Brazilian winger Raphinha returned to the bench last weekend after injury but did not appear in the win at Osasuna, which moved Barca to the brink of the title.

“I see the team in great shape, very focused, we’re all really looking forward to playing the Clasico,” said Barca defender Jules Kounde this week. “We can win La Liga with a draw, but a win would be the best.”

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This is the first Clasico at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou in over three years.

In March 2023, Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona snatched a late victory with Franck Kessié’s goal, which helped them open up a 12-point lead on Madrid and made them virtually assured of the title.

Only once before in Clasico history has the title actually been decided by the result of the game, as could happen again this Sunday.

Real Madrid won the first of their record 36 leagues by drawing 2-2 against Barcelona in the 1931-32 season to clinch the title.

Barca are aiming to seal their 29th this weekend, with Madrid keen to postpone those celebrations by scoring a second victory over Flick’s team this season.

They are waiting to see if top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe can be involved after a thigh injury, while Vinicius Junior is expected to lead the line for Los Blancos.

“He’s the player who has given me the most problems,” said Kounde of the Brazil international. “He’s a great player, very fast, and he changes direction constantly.”

Madrid face the Clasico in the midst of internal chaos, with Federico Valverde reportedly needing stitches after a training ground bust-up with Aurelien Tchouameni, one of a spate of such incidents.

There is great tension around Arbeloa’s side, about to finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Still, for Flick’s young side, wounded in Europe but dominant domestically, beating Los Blancos to claim the title would help them finish the season on a high note.

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SEVILLE: Alexis Sanchez made a decisive impact off the bench as Sevilla FC secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in their La Liga encounter at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium on Monday.

With both teams chasing very different objectives, the contest carried significant weight, particularly for Sevilla, who entered the match under pressure following a difficult run of results.

Real Sociedad started the brighter of the two sides, enjoying more of the ball early on, but struggled to convert possession into meaningful chances.

Sevilla, meanwhile, looked more threatening in attacking phases before the break, although their efforts from distance failed to trouble goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

The visitors came close shortly after the restart when Orri Oskarsson delivered a dangerous ball into the box, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to narrowly miss connecting. That missed opportunity proved costly.

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Sevilla capitalised on their first clear opening soon after, with Alexis Sanchez breaking the deadlock just five minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute. The experienced forward showed composure to finish clinically and hand the hosts a vital lead.

Sevilla nearly doubled their advantage late in the game through Lucien Agoume, but the effort was ruled out following a VAR review.

The result lifts Sevilla to 17th place in the standings, moving them just above Deportivo Alaves and out of the relegation zone, with Levante UD and Real Oviedo trailing further behind.

Despite the win, the relegation battle remains tight, with only a handful of points separating teams in the lower half of the table.

The victory also marks Sevilla’s second consecutive home win, their first such run since October 2024, offering a timely boost in their survival bid.

For Real Sociedad, the defeat represents a setback in their push for European qualification. A win would have seen them climb into the top six, but instead they remain ninth, still chasing sides like Celta Vigo, Getafe and Athletic Club.

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Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada faces a long ban for punching a Huesca player in the face, having already been sent off in a match in Spain’s second tier on Sunday.

The Argentina international, 35, pushed over Jorge Pulido and was dismissed for the incident, and then became enraged, running to hit Pulido and sparking a brawl on the pitch in stoppage time of the derby clash.

Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also sent off in the aftermath, with hosts Huesca holding on for a 1-0 win.

Andrada, on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, could be banned for up to 12 matches for the punch, as well as the obligatory one-match sanction for his red card.

“We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,” said Zaragoza in a statement.

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“The club strongly condemns what happened in that moment, which has unacceptably tarnished a football match of special importance for our region, something that is unacceptable.

“Regarding our player Esteban Andrada, the club will analyse the events that occurred and take the appropriate disciplinary measures.”

Both Zaragoza and Huesca are in the relegation zone and fighting demotion to Spain’s third tier.

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Sevilla moved closer to relegation from La Liga by losing 2-1 at Osasuna on Sunday, while Elche picked up three vital points with a 2-1 win at Real Oviedo.

Villarreal continued their strong season with a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo to tighten their grip on third place.

Luis Garcia Plaza’s Sevilla took the lead through Neal Maupay in the 69th minute, but Raul Garcia pulled the hosts level and Alejandro Catena struck in stoppage time to deal a blow to the Andalucians’ survival hopes.

The seven-time Europa League winners are 18th, a point behind Mallorca in 17th place, after the islanders lost at Alaves on Saturday.

“I have a knot in my throat,” said Sevilla defender Gabriel Suazo. “We have to keep moving forward, we have to keep fighting, there are five finals left, and whoever gets to play, if it’s me, I’m going to put my life on the line for this club.”

Elche moved up to 13th with their victory, three points above the drop zone, but are still looking nervously over their shoulders.

Only six points separate Athletic Bilbao, 10th, from Sevilla, with the remaining five rounds of fixtures offering plenty of intrigue as to who will ultimately drop out of the top flight.

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The only side cut badly adrift are Oviedo, who are seven points from safety with only 15 left to play for.

At the other end of the table, high-flying Villarreal defeated Celta to move five points clear of fourth-place Atletico Madrid.

Gerard Moreno’s early penalty sent the Yellow Submarine ahead, and Nicolas Pepe doubled their lead to give them a comfortable advantage at half-time.

Celta, seventh, still have hope of qualifying for European football next season and pulled one back through a Borja Iglesias spot-kick, retaken after encroachment when his first effort was saved.

Ferran Jutgla hit the post for the Galicians, but they could not find an equaliser, suffering a fifth consecutive defeat across all competitions.

Earlier, Alemao struck deep in stoppage time to secure Rayo Vallecano a thrilling 3-3 draw against Copa del Rey winners Real Sociedad.

On Saturday, leaders Barcelona took a big step towards defending their La Liga title with a 2-0 win at Getafe that allowed them to open up an 11-point lead on rivals Real Madrid.

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Real Madrid dropped more points in the Spanish title race with a frustrating 1-1 La Liga draw at home against Girona on Friday.

Fede Valverde drilled Alvaro Arbeloa’s side ahead early in the second half, but Thomas Lemar’s fine strike secured a point for the Catalan visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The draw against Girona brought Madrid within six points of La Liga leaders Barcelona, but the Catalans host local rivals Espanyol on Saturday when they could move nine points ahead with a victory.

Madrid head to Bavaria to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday, trailing 2-1, in the competition where their hopes of silverware this season now mainly lie.

Los Blancos were upset by a late penalty appeal not given after Girona defender Vitor Reis’ arm caught Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in the face.

“It’s a penalty here and on the moon,” complained Madrid coach Arbeloa. “Nobody understands it… when VAR gets involved, I imagine it’s when it suits them, and when it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.”

The coach admitted his team were not at their best following a third consecutive game without a win across all competitions.

“Without playing the most brilliant match we’ve played, it’s obvious and clear this is a game we should have won,” said Arbeloa, insisting Madrid would not give up in the title race despite their situation. “Until we lose La Liga, we’ll keep fighting for it… We have to fight until the last day.”

After Jude Bellingham impressed as a substitute in the first leg against Bayern, Arbeloa gave him his first start since January.

Real Madrid had the better of the first half but needed goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to save well from Azzedine Ounahi early on. At the other end, Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga denied Mbappe and Valverde as Los Blancos began to knock on the door.

Bellingham tested Gazzaniga early in the second half with a drive from the edge of the box, shortly before his team took the lead.

Valverde lashed in a shot from the edge of the box, which Gazzaniga tried to push out with his wrists but badly misjudged, and the ball flew past him and into the net.

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Madrid’s top goalscorer Mbappe mis-hit a shot when well placed, and Gazzaniga saved well at his near post to keep Vinicius at bay as Madrid tried to put the game to bed.

Instead, Girona pulled level, with former Atletico midfielder Lemar planting a superb strike from the edge of the box beyond Lunin’s helpless dive and into the bottom corner.

Arbeloa took off England international Bellingham shortly after the hour, with the visit to Munich in mind.

“We saw Bellingham feeling good, sharp, confident,” said Arbeloa. “This is the first game he’s started since coming back (from injury), but I think it’s done him a lot of good to get minutes, find rhythm… and I think we should be very pleased with his performance.”

Madrid’s hopes of a trophy appear to hinge on that match against Vincent Kompany’s side, with only seven La Liga matches remaining to try and overhaul Hansi Flick’s Barca, the reigning champions.

Gazzaniga beat away Mbappe’s shot, and the French superstar appealed in vain for a penalty as he collided with Reis in the box.

The defender caught the forward with his arm as Mbappe tried to dart behind him, leaving the French forward with blood on his face.

Six minutes of stoppage time were added on, but they were not enough for Arbeloa’s underwhelming team to conjure a late winner.

Girona, 12th, could make a late push for a European spot after spending much of the season battling relegation.

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Federico Valverde’s heavily deflected 95th-minute drive snatched injury-hit Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday.

The Uruguayan midfielder needed a stroke of fortune at the death to pull his team to within one point of leaders Barcelona, who visit Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Aurelien Tchouameni opened the scoring for Los Blancos early on, but Borja Iglesias soon pulled Celta level at their Balaidos stadium.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid, without injured striker Kylian Mbappe, had lost their previous two league games and are struggling to find consistent form.

Valverde’s shot, which flew into Celta’s net after bouncing off former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso, stopped his side from going three consecutive La Liga matches without a win.

“There’s a long way to go in La Liga, a lot of points left to play for… at this point it’s almost like La Liga has not started yet,” Arbeloa told reporters.

“Every game you’re playing against a team that has their own objectives, and each game will be a war.

“We came here with 10 players out, so I think our win deserves a lot of credit.”

As well as French superstar Mbappe, the team’s top goalscorer, Arbeloa was without several other players, including Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes and Eduardo Camavinga.

Despite the victory, Madrid’s form and their injury list does not inspire confidence ahead of next week’s Champions League last 16 clash against Manchester City.

Arbeloa started 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch for the first time, and he offered a decent display even as his team failed to impress.

Iglesias forced Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a solid low save with a drive from the edge of the box in the opening exchanges.

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Arbeloa’s side started well, and Vinicius Junior struck the post before Tchouameni put them ahead in the 11th minute.

The French midfielder produced a fine finish from the edge of the box as Madrid worked a corner to him, his strike hitting the upright on its way in.

Celta were not discouraged, though, and some poor defending from Trent Alexander-Arnold let them back in.

The England international allowed Williot Swedberg to get in behind him and then lacked the agility to block off the Swede, who cut the ball across for Iglesias to finish.

Courtois made a good save to keep Swedberg at bay before the break, as sixth-place Celta largely gave as good as they got.

Madrid appealed for a penalty when Ferran Jutgla handled the ball in the box, but a VAR review showed there was a push on a Celta defender just before and no spot kick was awarded.

Celta substitute Iago Aspas hit the post late on, and it seemed like his team were destined for a point as the clock ticked down.

However, in the final minute of stoppage time, Valverde’s effort from the edge of the box hit Alonso and left Celta goalkeeper Ionut Radu wrong-footed.

“We hardly gave up any chances, and the shot at the end was well defended, so we’re a bit annoyed (to lose),” Iglesias told Movistar.

Arbeloa said he hoped Madrid’s determination to claim the three points could be a platform to build from going forward.

“I know we can do a lot of things better, but with the personality and character we showed today, I hope that this is a turning point and from here everything goes a lot better,” added Arbeloa.

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