Uncategorized

La Liga: Real Madrid Exit Title Race, Atletico and Barca draw

Published

11 years ago

May 11, 2014

Real Madrid exited the title race in Spain as draws for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona ensured La Liga would be decided on the final day at the Camp Nou.
Atletico Madrid had to come from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at home to Malaga as a dramatic injury-time save from visiting goalkeeper Willy Caballero denied Diego Simeone’s men the chance to settle matters.
The Argentine goalkeeper produced a fingertip save to keep out a curling shot from Adrian in the final minute of stoppage time, ensuring the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
It sets up a mouthwatering showdown next Sunday between Atletico and Barcelona, who could only manage a 0-0 draw against Elche.
Atletico lead Barca by three points following the two draws on Sunday but victory for Barca would give them their 23rd Liga crown on head-to-head record, having drawn with Atleti earlier in the season.
However, Celta Vigo ended any lingering hopes Real Madrid retained of Primera Division glory by claiming a 2-0 victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s men at Estadio Balaidos.
The capital club needed a remarkable set of results to go in their favour to take the title, although their rivals’ failure to win on Sunday gave them a superb opportunity to catapult themselves back into contention.
Instead, Celta claimed their third win in succession, with Brazilian forward Charles’ capitalising on two errors from Real to bag a brace and leave the visitors five points behind leaders Atletico with just one
match remaining.
Real Sociedad striker Imanol Agirretxe struck late to ensure the Basque Country derby ended in a 1-1 draw, spoiling Athletic Bilbao’s celebrations following their qualification for the Champions League.
Iker Muniain’s goal from 25 yards gave the hosts the lead to create a party atmosphere at San Mames Barria, but Agirretxe denied Athletic what would have been their first derby win for two years by
scoring on 75 minutes.
Getafe took advantage of a weakened Sevilla side to claim a vital 1-0 victory in their fight against relegation.
With Wednesday’s Europa League final against Benfica on their mind, Sevilla rested many of their first-choice players, and Sergio Escudero’s 70th-minute goal gave Getafe a win to help them climb
three points clear of the relegation zone with one match to play.
Almeria gave themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Granada.
Almeria had climbed out of the bottom three with two straight wins and made it three thanks to penalties from Verza and Aleix Vidal.
That lifted them three points above the relegation zone with only one game remaining and a point ahead of Granada, who had Jeison Murillo sent off.
Osasuna require close to a miracle if they are to avoid relegation after they drew 1-1 with Espanyol.
Osasuna went behind to a Diego Colotto goal midway through the first half but drew level right before half-time thanks to Javier Acuna. Miguel de Las Cuevas came close to scoring a vital winner late on, but was unable to hit the target meaning Osasuna would have
to settle for a draw, which is of little use given that Getafe and Almeria both won their games to move two points clear of the Navarrans.