Elche 3-1 Villarreal: Pere Milla’s hat-trick helped Elche defeat Villarreal and end their lengthy La Liga winless streak. They defeated the Yellow Submarine for the second time in a row at home, winning 3-1 to maintain their slim chances of remaining in the top division....CONTINUE READING
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Getafe: Relegation-threatened Getafe came from behind to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano, snapping a run of eleven consecutive La Liga away losses to their illustrious regional rivals.
With Atletico out of the Copa del Rey and out of European competition, the club’s entire season is dependent on finishing in the top four, which they last did in 2012.
The hosts, on the other hand, showed little urgency in the first half, struggling to break down Getafe’s rearguard. Antoine Griezmann had their best chance, turning from Rodrigo De Paul’s pass and firing at David Soria.
After a shaky start by Diego Simeone’s men, a defensive lapse by the visitors allowed Atleti to take the lead in bizarre circumstances. Angel Correa scored on the rebound after Thomas Lemar’s shot was parried by Soria, but the goal was initially ruled out for offside.
Correa was then substituted while a VAR review was conducted, and when the decision was reversed, the benched Argentinian was mobbed on the sidelines by his teammates.
The hosts, who appeared to be cruising to victory, shot themselves in the foot by conceding an unnecessary penalty in the dying embers. Borja Mayoral’s header was blocked by Saul Niguez’s outstretched arm, leaving much-maligned referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz with little choice but to point to the spot.
Enes Unal stepped up and slammed the ball home from 12 yards as Getafe snatched a point.
The Spanish La Liga Table:
