On Sunday, four more matches of the 21st round were played in the Spanish "La Liga" championship.
Madrid's "Atletico" hosted the promising "Las Palmas" team this season. Diego Simeone's players settled things with their opponents in the second half.
In the 61st minute, Antoine Griezmann put "Rojiblancos" ahead. Twelve minutes later, Fernando Torres increased the lead to two goals, and Thomas sealed the final point at the end of the match.
"Atletico" added their 13th victory to their record and maintained the same 11-point gap from the leaders. "Las Palmas" remains near the bottom.
In other matches, "Leganes" won 3-2 at home in a goal-filled duel against Barcelona's "Espanyol". In this match, "Leganes" were led by their opponent's defender Mario Hermoso, who scored two own goals.
As if that wasn't enough, in the 88th minute, the defender added insult to injury by scoring a goal for "Leganes", completing his own "hat-trick" with two goals into his own net.
In Seville, the locals' favorite "Sevilla" faced Madrid's "Getafe". In the 72nd minute, the Andalusians took the lead but failed to secure three points - in extra time, Angel equalized the score in this showdown.
In the last evening match, "Barcelona" had to work hard for a victory against "Alaves". Goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi secured a 2-1 win.
The visitors unexpectedly took the lead first - in the 23rd minute, John Guidetti went on a fast counter-attack, ran towards the opponents' goal alone, and left no chance for Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a precise strike.
In the second half, "Alaves" defended successfully, but in the 72nd minute, the Catalans finally broke through the opponents' defense - after a great pass from Andres Iniesta, L. Suarez scored from a sharp angle.
"Barca" was not willing to lose points, so they continued to press the opponents. In the 84th minute, a controversial penalty was awarded near the "Alaves" penalty area, which L. Messi converted into a goal with a great strike.
In the remaining time, "Alaves" tried to equalize and at least extend their score. During added time, "Alaves" could have had a golden opportunity to level the score, but the referee did not dare to award a penalty kick, even though Samuel Umtiti clearly handled the ball in his own penalty area.
Nevertheless, the referee's whistle signaled the end of the match, which meant a seventh consecutive victory for "Barca".
Results:
"Atletico" 3 - 0 "Las Palmas"
61' [1 - 0] A. Griezmann
73' [2 - 0] F. Torres
88' [3 - 0] Thomas
"Leganes" 3 - 2 "Espanyol" (VIDEO)
11' [1 - 0] M. Hermoso (Own goal)
49' [1 - 1] M. Navarro
69' [2 - 1] Guerrero
82' [3 - 1] M. Hermoso (Own goal)
88' [3 - 2] M. Hermoso
"Sevilla" 1 - 1 "Getafe" (VIDEO)
72' [1 - 0] L. Muriel
90+3' [1 - 1] Angel
"Barcelona" 2 - 1 "Alaves"
23' [0 - 1] J. Guidetti
72' [1 - 1] L. Suarez
84' [2 - 1] L. Messi
Standings:
