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.
£100m too cheap, but hard to keep hold of Hazard, admits
Time for Sanchez, Lukaku to shine LONDON • Caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku to step up for Manchester United after confirming that the injured Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard will be out for up to three weeks.
Injuries open way for Sanchez and Lukaku to shine for United
Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to beat Valencia 3-1 on Thursday. The Gunners take the advantage in their Europa League semi-final as the French striker cancelled out
Result against Bayern Munich won't affect Premier League bid: Jurgen Klopp Liverpool are second in the standings with 73 points, one point behind defending champions Manchester City with eight matches remaining this season.
Liverpool result at Bayern Munich won't affect Premier League
Football: Hugo Lloris warns Spurs teammates against complacency in Premier League title race London - Complacency is the biggest threat to Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of toppling Premier League leaders Liverpool, warned Spurs captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on Friday (Jan 11), two days before they host rejuvenated Manchester United at Wembley.
Hugo Lloris warns Tottenham Hotspur against complacency
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
Rescuers said on Thursday they had ended the search for the plane carrying Premier League player Emiliano Sala which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, adding the chances of
UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer
Jürgen Klopp has said he is 'relieved' to have ended his streak of defeats in cup finals after lifting the Champions League trophy with Liverpool following a 2-0 victory over Tottenham. Klopp won
Klopp warns Europe: 'This is still only the start' - UEFA
Malaysia Football News Anything and everything about football in Malaysia ! Pages. Home; History; National Team; Malaysian League; Famous Players
Wikipedia:Peer review/January 2012 - Wikipedia
Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari believes they must rely on VAR to make the tough calls following Ajax's disallowed goal in Wednesday's 2-1 win. The Dutch giants thought they had taken the lead through Nicolas Tagliafico in the first-half before VAR ruled it out due to the offside Dusan Tadic blocking goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Ajax could cause Bernabeu shock - Solari - beinsports.com
Neymar "cried for two days" after injuring his right foot for a second time in January, he told Brazilian television according to an excerpt of an interview broadcast.
Neymar 'cried for two days' after new foot injury | Inquirer
0 comments:
Post a Comment