Griezmann stars for Atletico as Madrid stay top – La Liga Round-Up Week 28

Griezmann celebrates against Sevilla. Image via Getty

Madrid end Athletic’s home run

Leaders Real Madrid survived a test tough at San Mames and emerged with all three points largely thanks to Karim Benzema, who now has 119 La Liga goals and not a single one from the penalty spot. The Frenchman opened the scoring for the vistors but when Aritz Aduriz levelled in the second half, it looked like Madrid might drop points. However, three minutes later they were back in front, Casemiro finding himself in acres of space in the box from a corner and making no mistake from a matter of yards. Three points for Madrid and a first home defeat in seven months for Athletic.

Brilliant Messi downs Valencia

Barcelona remain hot on the heels of Madrid but Valencia gave them an almighty scare at Camp Nou. The visitors took the lead through Eliaquim Mangala who headed home the opener before Luis Suarez equalised. The two players were then heavily involved in the second goal, Mangala pulling back the striker when through on goal. The referee had no hesitation in handing the defender his marching orders while Lionel Messi smashed the penalty home. A goal up, and a man up, the game looked over but within minutes Valencia were level. A quick break saw Gaya squaring for Munir who slotted home against his parent club to go into the interval at 2-2. The second half was equally entertaining, Messi firing home at the near post to restore the lead but Barca had to wait until the 89^th minute, and some brilliance from Neymar who set up Gomes, before the tie was finally safe at 4-2. Barca now two points behind Madrid having played a game more and now 9/4 to win La Liga.

Griezmann shines against Sevilla

Dumped out of the Champions League in midweek, Sevilla saw their fading title hopes ended on Sunday as Atletico Madrid beat them 3-1 to move to within two points of Jorge Sampaoli’s side. Antoine Griezmann was the star of the show, setting up the first for Diego Godin before adding a sensational second with an unstoppable free kick. Koke then wrapped up the win on a great afternoon for Diego Simeone’s side who must now fancy their chances of snatching third place from a tiring Sevilla side.

More derby misery for Sociedad

Another week, another defeat to local rivals for Sociedad who went down 1-0 to Alaves, just a week after losing to Athletic. Deyverson was the match-winner slotting home at the far post while things went from bad to worse for the visitors who had Esteban Granero sent off after picking up a second yellow card for diving.

Betis two good for Osasuna

Real Betis swept past bottom side Osasuna with two first-half goals from Rafa Navarro and Ruben Castro. The visitors remain on 11 points with just one La Liga win all season and having conceded 67 goals in 28 games – that’s the most out of any side in Europe’s top five leagues.

Villarreal slip to Las Palmas defeat

Villarreal’s good run of form was abruptly ended at Las Palmas who secured a 1-0 win thanks to Kevin Prince Boateng’s goal after just 10 minutes.The visitors’ task was then made even harder when Victor Ruiz was sent off nine minutes later and the hosts held on for the win.

Draws for Malaga and Espanyol

Malaga headed to Leganes hoping for a first win since February but could only manage a goalless draw in a fairly awful game. The visitors have now gone a year without an away win in La Liga while struggling Leganes have now kept three successive clean sheets at home. The points were also shared at Eibar where Espanyol needed a Jurado equaliser to salvage a point.

Deportivo downed by Celta

Deportivo’s win over Barcelona last weekend seems a distant memory now after they went down 1-0 to Celta. Iago Aspas, who else, was the match-winner with his 15^th La Liga goal of the seaosn – the first Celta player to hit that mark since Fernando Baiano in 2006/07.

Sporting win basement battle

Down at the bottom Granada missed the chance to give themselves a glimmer of hope after going down 3-1 to Sporting Gijon. The visitors have shown signs of life in recent weeks and even took the lead through Sverrir Ingi Ingason. However, Sporting came roaring back with three goals in seven minutes as they picked up only their fifth Liga win of the season.

Week 28 Results in full

Las Palmas 1-0 Villarreal

Eibar 1-1 Espanyol

Athletic 1-2 Real Madrid

Alaves 1-0 Real Sociedad

Real Betis 2-0 Osasuna

Leganes 0-0 Malaga

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Sevilla

Deportivo 0-1 Celta

Sporting 3-1 Granada

Barcelona 4-2 Valencia