Four matches of the 15th round were played on Sunday in the Spanish "La Liga" championship.
Madrid's "Atletico", not losing hope for the title, achieved an important victory in Seville. Diego Simeone's team defeated the local "Real Betis" with a score of 1-0.
The winning goal for the guests from the Spanish capital was scored by Saul Niguezas in the 29th minute of the match.
"Atletico" now has 33 points and has temporarily reduced the gap from the leaders with this victory.
In another surprising match, the Basque team "Real Sociedad" suffered a defeat at home against the absolute league outsiders, "Malaga", with a score of 0-2.
In another game, Bilbao's "Athletic" won a victory against Valencia's "Levante" after a tough battle.
In the last match, "Barcelona" clashed with "Villarreal" away. Ernesto Valverde's team had some difficulties, but a red card in the 60th minute changed the course of the match and the Catalonians defeated the hosts.
In the first half, no goals were scored. "Villarreal" played boldly on the opponents' field and forced Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make some serious saves.
In the second half, things didn't go well for the "submarine" team - in the 60th minute, "Villarreal" defender Raba was sent off for a rough foul.
After this incident, the Catalonians turned the match around and in the 72nd minute, Luis Suarez scored a fantastic goal after a great combination with Paco Alcacer. Lionel Messi sealed the victory in the 83rd minute.
"Barca" broke the series of two consecutive draws and earned important three points. After the victory, the Catalonians maintain a 5-point lead over second-placed "Valencia".
Results:
"Real Betis" 0 - 1 "Atletico" (VIDEO)
29' [0 - 1] S. Niguez
"Real Sociedad" 0 - 2 "Malaga"
23' [0 - 1] B. Baston (penalty)
58' [0 - 2] C. Castro
58' B. Baston ("Malaga") missed a penalty
"Levante" 1 - 2 "Athletic"
5' [0 - 1] A. Aduriz (penalty)
73' [1 - 1] A. Laporte (own goal)
79' [1 - 2] S. Psotigo (own goal)
"Villarreal" 0 - 2 "Barcelona"
72' [0 - 1] L. Suarez
83' [0 - 2] L. Messi
Standings:
