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Today, two matches of the 30th round of the Spanish championship were played. "Deportivo" and "Espanyol" emerged victorious. Here are the descriptions of these matches.
San Sebastian 1-2 La Coruna
11' (0-1)
43' (1-1)
90' + 2' own goal (1-2)
The first goal of the match was scored by Walter Pandiani in the 11th minute of the game. This was his second goal in a row after previously scoring in the Champions League match against AC Milan. This time the goal came after a long pass from Sergio. The result was equalized at the end of the first half, when, while running, "Deportivo" defender Cesar failed to notice and caused Nihat to intercept a long pass and send the ball into the net. After this episode, the entire away team protested with the referee, but he did not change his decision. This goal was Nihat's 10th goal in the Spanish championship.
In the early minutes of the second half, "Deportivo" pressed their opponents, but it didn't last long, and in the 5th minute of the second half, a ball kicked by Alonso of "Real Sociedad" flew just past the post. Until the end of regular time, both teams had very good chances to score: Pandiani had especially good opportunities to score - once after a precise pass he was left one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and another time his header was saved by "Real Sociedad" goalkeeper Alberto. "Real Sociedad" also had good chances to score - in one episode, a shot hit the "Deportivo" defender standing in front of the goal, and in another, Valery Karpin from about 5 meters missed the target. It is worth mentioning that in the 71st minute of the match, Valeron was clearly fouled in the penalty area, but the referee did not award a penalty. At the end of regular time and with the referee adding 3 minutes, both teams attacked. "Deportivo" performed better - in the 2nd minute of added time, after a poorly judged high ball by the goalkeeper, substitute Diego Tristan took possession, beat the goalkeeper, and tried to clear the ball, but "Real Sociedad" defender Bjorn Kvarme sent the ball into his own net.
After this victory, "Deportivo" rose to 3rd place in the championship, but whether they will stay there will be revealed tomorrow when "Barcelona" plays their 30th round match away against Seville.
Barcelona 2-1 Bilbao
2' (1-0)
82' penalty (2-0)
90' + 4' own goal (2-1)
The first goal of the match was scored in the second minute by Raul Tamudo from a very sharp angle, leading his team ahead. In the 75th minute, "Athletic Bilbao" defender Lacruzas received two yellow cards for disputes with the referee and was sent off the field. In the 82nd minute, a penalty was awarded to the visitors, and Prieto, who brought down Raul Tamudo with his hands in the penalty area, received a red card. The penalty was successfully converted by Tamudo, his 14th goal in the Spanish championship. The referee added 5 minutes, and in the fourth minute, the ball deflected off Pochettino from a shot by a Bilbao player and changed direction into the goal.
After this victory, "Espanyol" collected 30 points and rose from 19th place to 18th, two points ahead of Vigo's "Celta" players, who will play their 30th round match tomorrow.
