Barcelona one win away from Spanish title as Atletico Madrid stumbles

By Daily Sports on May 9, 2016

Barcelona hammered city rival Espanyol 5-0 Sunday to ensure it will become La Liga champion for the second year in succession should it win its final game of the season away to Granada next weekend.

The Catalan club started the day level on points with Atletico Madrid but ahead in the standings thanks to a superior head-to-head and goal difference.

However, Atletico was downed 2-1 at already relegated Levante, meaning it slips back to third position behind city rival Real Madrid, which overcame Valencia 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barca now has a one point lead over arch-rival Real atop the table going into the final round of fixtures and can no longer be caught by Atletico.

“We deserve the league title and I hope we can be precise in the final game to win,” Barca boss Luis Enrique said after the match in comments carried by Barcelona’s official Twitter account.

DEMOLITION DERBY

Enrique’s men have been operating on the assumption that there is no room for error in recent weeks.

And Lionel Messi eased any nerves at an overcast Nou Camp Sunday by opening the scoring for the home side early on with a spectacular free-kick.

A brace from top-scorer Luis Suarez shortly after half-time made sure of a vital three points before substitute Rafinha added a fourth on 73 minutes when Espanyol goalkeeper Paul Sabata fumbled a tame Neymar cross.

Neymar then got his name on the score sheet after unselfish play by Suarez left the Brazilian striker with a tap-in.

ATLETICO STUMBLES

Atletico experienced a far more testing afternoon against Levante despite taking an early lead through a Fernando Torres strike.

Victor Casadesus equalised for Levante just before halftime with a bullet header after slack Atleti defending.

And as the visitors pushed for the winner that would keep the pressure on Barcelona, Giuseppe Rossi netted after a swift breakaway to end all hopes Atleti had of notching a second La Liga crown in three years.

REAL HANGS ON

That result means Real Madrid is now the only team that has any chance of stopping Barcelona.

It saw off a determined Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu 3-2 with the visitors finishing the game with 10 men.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Real midway through the first half before Karim Benzema finished from close range to double the advantage just before halftime.

Rodrigo pulled a goal back for Valencia at the start of the second period but Ronaldo restored Real's lead on the hour mark.

Andre Gomes made it 3-2 with a rocket shot from outside the area after 81 minutes before Rodrigo saw red shortly after.

Real will now travel to Deportivo la Coruna next weekend with the knowledge that a victory allied with a Barcelona slip-up will see provide its first La Liga crown since 2012. (CNN)

•Photo shows Messi celebrating his opener against Espanyol . . . on Sunday at Nou Camp.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 9, 2016


 

You may also like...
Nigeria: Universities League On Sallah Break

How Adams’ Stunner Gave Southampton Victory Over Man...

Real Madrid Outwit Barcelona In Clasico, Go Top...

Sanchez double hands Gunners win

Its official! Mayweather to fight McGregor in boxing...

Eric Abidal: Barcelona deny former president bought illegal...

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,142 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,992 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,932 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,036 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media