La Liga: Barca and Real on Fire; Atletico crash out

• Posted on May 9, 2016
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Atletico Madrid have crashed out of the La Liga title race with a 2-1 loss atLevante on Sunday, while wins by Barcelona and Real Madrid ensure the champion will be decided on the final matchday.

Fernando Torres had put Atletico in front after two minutes with a delicious chip of Levante goalkeeper Diego Marino after being played into space.

Levante found an equaliser on the half-hour mark through Víctor Casadesús, who powerfully headed a Mauricio Cuero cross into the back of Jan Oblak’s net.

And just a minute from time, the home side found the back-breaking winner. Giuseppe Rossi completed a swift counterattack with a cool left-footed finish to end Atleti’s hopes of a second league title in three seasons.

Meanwhile, Barcelona kept their La Liga dream alive with 5-0 defeat ofEspanyol in the Catalan Derby.

A Lionel Messi free kick in the eighth minute calmed any early nerves at the Camp Nou — the Argentine’s left footed effort from just outside the box finding the near-post top corner despite a slight touch from Espanyol goalkeeper Pau López.

Luis Suarez then put the game out of reach seven minutes after the break — the Pichichi leader slotting home a  Messi pass from from close range.

Suarez added further insurance — and his 37th La Liga goal — just after the hour mark with an unstoppable header past Lopez from a Neymar corner.

Rafinha then scored with an easy tap-in after a Lopez blunder, before Neymar capped the day with one of his own on 83 minutes.

Real Madrid took care of their business with a 3-2 win against Valencia at the Bernabeu.

Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and a Karim Benzema strike paced Los Blancos, though markers from Rodrigo and Andre Gomes made things interesting at the Bernabeu.

Real’s win ensured the Spanish title will be decided on the final day. Barcelona, on 88 points lead Real by a point, while Atleti sit third on 85.

-espnfc