La Liga wrap: Sevilla go third as Barcelona stays atop

Indian Super League Prediction

April 24 2024, 07:30 PM

Goa

Mumbai City

Bengaluru, November 25: Sevilla were the beneficiary of two video assistant referee (VAR) decisions as they edged Real Valladolid 1-0 to leap above Atletico Madrid into third in La Liga standings while Barcelona's 2-1 win over bottom-club Leganes helped them stay on top though Real Madrid 3-1 win over Real Sociedad kept them level on points with the Catalans.

Julen Lopetegui's side were awarded a penalty early in the game after a VAR review determined forward Nolito had been fouled by Valladolid's Javi Moyano as he shaped to shoot, even though his team mates had barely appealed for a foul.

Argentinian midfielder Ever Banega stepped up to take the penalty and his effort was saved by Jordi Masip but VAR informed the match official that the goalkeeper had strayed from his line and a re-take was ordered, to the dismay of the home supporters.

Results | Points Table | Fixtures

Sevilla had talisman Lucas Ocampos sent off for a second booking in stoppage time but they still managed to grind out the victory, becoming the first side to hand Valladolid a home defeat this season.

Banega scores

Banega converted his shot at the second time of asking to put Sevilla ahead in the 13th minute on a bitterly cold and wet evening at the Jose Zorrilla stadium.

Nolito missed a glorious chance to double his side's lead later in a first half which was high on intensity but short on goalmouth action, firing into Masip's hands when unmarked in the box.

Bale jeered

Earlier, Karim Benzema scored his sixth goal in five games to help Real Madrid beat high-flying Real Sociedad 3-1 as Gareth Bale came on as a substitute to a screech of whistles at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bale, only recently fit again after a calf injury, was named on the bench following his controversial outing with Wales last week, when he celebrated victory behind a flag that read: "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order."

Barca on top

Meanwhile Barcelona extended their stay at the top with a 2-1 win over bottom-club Leganes.

Youssef En Nesyri gave Leganes an early lead in the 11th minute which was cancelled out by Luis Suarez in the 52nd and the Catalans required a late winner from Arturo Vidal in the 78th minute.

Atletico slips

Atletico Madrid however lost ground at the top. They were held to a 1-1 draw away at Granada and now sit three points behind the leading pair, having played one game more.

The outcome of the rescheduled El Clasico at Camp Nou on December 18 will now have a major say in deciding the La Liga.

(With inputs from Agencies)