Week 19 of La Liga kicked off this weekend and Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, and Valencia were all able to secure three points and continue the pressure to see who would win the title. Halfway there, and with 19 more matches to go, it is of course too early to tell who will end up hoisting the title, but let’s see how each match went down for these five teams this past weekend.
Real Madrid vs Getafe
The La Liga leaders faced Getafe on Sunday. Sitting atop the table with one game in hand, Real Madrid is one point ahead of archrivals Barcelona. After losing to Valencia earlier this month, Real Madrid have come back to win two straight in La Liga, but have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey as they fell twice to Atlético Madrid. Getafe, on the other hand, has struggled to get points and currently sit in 15th place with 17 points.
The first half was scoreless, highlighted by a save by Getafe goalkeeper Jordi Codina blocking Karim Benzema from scoring. It was not until the 63rd minute that Madrid got on the scoreboard. Benzema, who has not been able to score for his team since November but has been phenomenal in creating plays, was able to dribble his way to the byline and found Cristiano Ronaldo open just outside the 6-yard box for the finish.
Barely four minutes later, Ronaldo found James Rodriguez who crossed the ball into the box for Gareth Bale to put the ball into the net with the outside of his left foot.
In the 79th minute, it was Rodriguez again with the assist as he found Ronaldo, who was able to head it in to make it 3-0.
With two assists on Bale’s and Ronaldo’s goals, Rodriguez was easily the man of the match as he continues to show that he is a great addition to the team and knows how to create plays. Getafe will face Celta Vigo next Monday, and Real Madrid faces Cordoba on Saturday.
FC Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruna
Barcelona continues in great form after beating Atletico Madrid last week to stay in the run for the title. Deportivo La Coruna continue to struggle as they sit in 17th place, just three points ahead of last-placed Granada.
The first half was dominated by Lionel Messi as he scored both goals for the team. Before his first goal, Messi had a chance to get his team in the lead as Ivan Rakitic passed it to Messi, but Fabricio blocked him and the ball went over the net. A minute later, from an angled cross by Rakitic to the middle of the box, Messi found the ball with his head and was able to redirect the ball into the net.
In the 32 minute, Barcelona doubled their lead, and it was through Messi again. Messi was able to find Neymar inside the left side of the box. Neymar tried to give it to Luis Suarez but the ball bounced off Suarez’ leg and found Messi instead. The Argentinian took on a defender and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Fabricio to make it 2-0.
In the 61 minute, Messi got his hat trick. Messi played a corner kick short to Rakitic, who chipped the ball over two defenders, and Messi took the ball from there, finishing with a powerful left-footed shot to the far post to make it 3-0.
The fourth goal came in the 83rd minute in the form of an own goal that deflected off Deportivo defender Sidnei. Alberto Lopo was attempting to clear a harmless-looking ball into the box, but it came off his unfortunate teammate and pushed the lead to 4-0.
Messi continues to be in great form and with 18 goals in the season, he surely does not plan to stop there. With his 22nd hat trick, Messi clearly earned the man of the match honor. Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid for the Copa del Rey, the face Elche on Saturday as Deportivo faces Granada on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid vs Granada
Atletico Madrid continue on a great run. Despite falling to FC Barcelona last week, they were able to dominate their Copa del Rey matches against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Granada sits at the bottom of the table with 14 points and facing relegation at the moment. They have not had a win since September and continue on a 15-game winless streak.
The first half was highlighted by a goal from Mario Mandzukic from a penalty kick after Diego Godin was brought down by Abdoul Sissoko inside the box in the 33rd minute.
With three minutes left in the match, Raul Garcia put his team up 2-0 after some magical play by Arda Turan. Turan got a pass from Juanfran, juked out a defender at the byline, and crossed the ball into the middle of the box for Garcia to finish.
Garcia heading the second goal for Atletico secured the three points for his team in their bid for the La Liga title, and earned him the man of the match recognition. Atletico faces FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday and Rayo Vallecano on Saturday while Granada faces Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday.
Sevilla FC vs Malaga
Sevilla has been on an undefeated streak in all competitions since losing to Barcelona back in November. With a game in hand, they sit in fourth place and are trying to get into that title chase since they are only six points behind the league leaders and five behind Barcelona. Malaga is eight behind Sevilla and hope to enter the title run as well or at least qualify for the Europa Cup. Malaga has maintained a four-game undefeated streak and continue to be in the running for the Copa del Rey.
Carlos Bacca was a threat to the Malaga defense but was not able to get anything good as he missed two good chances with Malaga goalkeeper, Carlos Kameni, saving both of his early attempts. In the 36 minute, Bacca was able to make the breakthrough with a fine low finish after being picked out in the box by Gerard Deulofeu.
Denis Suarez was able to get on the scoresheet in the 69th minute as he evaded a couple of challenges in a run from midfield after exchanging passes with Bacca. Suarez’ run ended up beating five defenders and Kameni for a brilliant solo effort.
Bacca was the man of the match, finishing with a goal and an assist to help Sevilla take the 2-0 win and secure three more points. Sevilla will face Espanyol on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey and then face fifth-place Valencia on Sunday, while Malaga have three straight matches coming up against Athletic Bilbao, with a two-legged encounter in the Copa del Rey and a league match on Saturday.
Valencia vs Almeria
Valencia is another team that continues to stay in the run for the La Liga title, sitting in 5th place just 7 points behind Real Madrid. In contrast, Almeria sits in 18th place and face a relegation battle as well.
Almeria gave Valencia some competition throughout the game, scoring two goals against them. However, Valencia was able to hold them off and win the game 3-2. Danny Parejo opened up the scoring in the 11 minute, after Antonio Barragan played the ball into the Almeria box from the ride side of the field.
Not two minutes later, Almeria scored the equalizer, as Wellington Silva took on two defenders on the left side of the box and found Tomer Hemed who was able to get it past Diego Alves into the bottom left corner of the net.
Rodrigo de Paul got Valencia back in the lead in the 28th minute after Andre Gomes took on a defender and found Paco Alcacer, who passed it to the middle of the box to Rodrigo for the finish.
Five minutes later again, Tomer Hemed leveled the scores again. Off a corner kick taken by Verza, Hemed was able to outjump every one else, and the ball ended up beating Alves after a slight deflection.
With seven minutes left to go in the game, Alvaro Negredo put Valencia in the lead for good with the winning goal. Jose Luis Gaya was able to cross and find Negredo at the far post. Negredo headed the ball into the top right corner of the net, and Valencia were able to hold on for the win against Almeria.
Although Almeria fell to Valencia, the man of the match has to be given to Hemed. He was able to get his team on the scoreboard twice, even though Valencia ended up finishing stronger. Valencia will face Sevilla while Almeria faces Espanyol in league matches next Sunday.