La Liga Weekend Roundup: Osasuna frustrates Villareal, Barcelona continues their dream run

The race for La Liga is approaching its business end and Carlo Ancelloti’s men did their business on the weekend while Alaves frustrated contenders Sevilla. Barcelona’s resurgence under Xavi continues to soar and Felix continues to explode at Atletico Madrid.

Alaves vs Sevilla (0-0)

Sevilla’s La Liga hopes hit by Alaves

Deportivo Alaves and Sevilla started the proceedings of La Liga round 27. The home team had a couple of glorious chances to open the scoring in the first 20 minutes. However, they were denied on both occasions by Sevilla’s defence and the Goalkeeper. Sevilla grew into the game and even created decent scoring opportunities. 

Towards the final couple minutes, Munir was handed two opportunities to snatch the three points. However, the substitute failed to keep his calm.

CA Osasuna vs Villareal (1-0)

A very flat performance from the Villareal side who could have made the top 4 if they won this game. However, it was a counter-attacking and defensive masterclass from Osasuna, who took all three points in this fixture. Unai Emery’s side had 73% possession. However, the home side managed to restrict them to just one shot on target compared to their 3.

Ezequiel Avilla headed in the goal in the 63rd minute to give the hosts a deserved lead and much-needed 3 points. 

Espanyol vs Getafe (2-0)

After a 5-1 thrashing from Villareal, Espanyol came into this game with cruel intentions. They were up against a Getafe side who are yet to register an away win in the league this season. Leandro Cabrera opened the scoring as he headed it in from a corner in the 17th minute. The home side doubled their lead from a comical piece of defending by Getafe as Cabaco’s touch ended up in his own net and that goal epitomised Getafe’s trouble on the road.

Valencia vs Granada (3-1)

A fairly flat first-half from both teams in terms of attacking intent. However, Valencia turned it up a notch in the second 45. Goncalo Guedes opened the scoring just 3 minutes after the restart. Number nine Gomez got his goal just minutes after as Valencia went 2-0 ahead. However, an own goal from Guillamon gave Granada a tiny hope.

Nevertheless, Carlos Soler calmly slotted in a penalty to kill that hope.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad (4-1)

In their quest for the league title, Real Madrid squared up against Real Sociedad. Ancelloti’s side got off to the worst possible start as David Silva cleverly managed to win a penalty off Carvajal. Oyarzabal turned it in to put Sociedad ahead inside 10 minutes. The home side’s rally started via a screamer from Camavinga followed by another one from Luka Modric to put Real Madrid ahead 2-1 at half-time.

Benzema’s penalty and Marco Asensio’s goal from Carvajal’s cutback sealed a 4-1 win for the home side.

Cadiz vs Real Vallecano (2-0)

Both clubs came into this fixture with some poor run of results and a lot of desperation to get a win. Cadiz, who sit in the relegation zone started the game with real intent but the intent did not pay off in the first half. However, Alvarez didn’t miss in the second half and opened the scoring for Cadiz. 

The home side doubled their lead through Idrissi and managed to hold on to the clean sheet. Crucial three points in their fight for survival.

Elche vs Barcelona (1-2)

Barcelona fight back as Depay’s penalty seals another crucial three points for Xavi

Barcelona’s recent rejuvenation under Xavi continues. The Catalans managed to come back from being 1-0 down to win 2-1. Xavi’s men conceded just minutes before the half-time break from Fidel Chavez. Second-half substitute Ferran Torres made his precedence felt by equalising. Memphis Depay, another second-half substitute, scored the penalty to put Barca 1-2 up.

Celta Vigo vs Mallorca (4-3)

An absolute thriller of a game, one for the neutrals. Celta Vigo took the lead with a right-footed shot. Mallorca equalised minutes later through Gonzalez. Denis Suarez managed to put the home side ahead but Mallorca managed to cancel it again through Aido.

Mallorca equalised again in the 87th minute after Aspas put his team ahead. However, a 97th-minute penalty by Aspas sealed all three points for Celta Vigo.

Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid (1-3)

Diego Simeone’s side is making a habit of scoring early. Joao Felix opened the scoring inside two minutes. However, Christian Tello cancelled it just on the cusp of half-time.

Atletico Madrid turned on the afterburners and sealed all three points with goals from Felix and Lemar in the second half.