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On Sunday, part of the 17th round of matches was already played in Spain, with more unexpected results recorded. "Sevilla" did not take advantage of Saturday's loss and second-placed "Barcelona" played a draw away against Madrid's "Getafe". Madrid's "Real" had an even worse luck, losing 2-0 to La Coruna's "Deportivo" footballers at the "El Riazor" stadium, where they have not won in fifteen years. "Valencia", chasing the championship title, capitalized on this by defeating "Villarreal" with a minimal score away and getting closer to the leaders' trio.
Madrid 1 - 1 54` [1 - 0] Daniel Gueiza 70` [1 - 1] Xavi 90` Alexis sent off ("Getafe")
The match in Madrid started more actively for "Getafe" and in the first half-hour they created several dangerous opportunities near "Barcelona" goal. While watching "Barcelona" play, it was clear that the team was without their attacking leaders: Ronaldinho, Deco, and Eto'o.
The second half started more aggressively for "Getafe", and their determination paid off when Rafael Marquez's pass-back to Carles Puyol was intercepted by Daniel Gueiza, who got past the "Barca" captain and sent the ball into the net past Victor Valdes.
A minute later, D. Gueiza almost found himself alone in front of the goal, but was stopped by R. Marquez. However, the missed goal seemed to wake up the European champions, and midway through the half, Andres Iniesta was fouled in the "Getafe" penalty area. The penalty awarded by the referee was perfectly executed by Xavi, leveling the score.
In the 75th minute, Latvian national team forward Maris Verpakovskis debuted for "Getafe", having recently moved to Spain from Kiev's "Dynamo".
With just ten minutes remaining, Xavi impressively struck a shot towards the goal, only for it to be equally impressively saved by Argentine national team goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
However, "Barcelona" should be content with the draw, as in the final ten minutes, their goal was saved from being scored three times by V. Valdes, once when Francisco Javier Casquero missed the target.
The competitive match ended with Getafe reduced to ten men - in their pursuit of victory against the European champions, Alexis went too far in the penalty area trying to earn a penalty kick and received a second yellow card from the referee.
La Coruna 2 - 0 Madrid 10` [1 - 0] Joan Capdevila 56` [2 - 0] Cristian
Madrid's "Real" suffered their third defeat in the last four matches, extending their 15-year winless streak at the "El Riazor" stadium. "Deportivo" took the lead when Riki earned a penalty near the "Real" penalty area. Spanish national team left-back Joan Capdevila struck the ball strongly and broke through the players' wall to put the hosts ahead.
Scoring a goal did not calm "Deportivo" down, as they continued with one dangerous attack after another, with Riki and Javier Arizmendi exchanging chances. It was Arizmendi who missed a great opportunity in the second half when he unexpectedly received a pass from Madrid's "Real" defender Ivan Helguera, found himself one-on-one against Iker Casillas, outsmarted him, and was about to celebrate a goal when the Spanish national team goalkeeper managed to push the ball off course and towards the goal with his fingertips.
However, the first half almost ended with a 1-1 score, as just before the break, Brazilian Emerson took a long-range shot after a pass from David Beckham that shook the crossbar.
The second half started evenly, but the match was decided in the 56th minute when J. Arizmendi outsmarted World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro along the sideline, passed the ball unsuccessfully to Riki, but Cristian doubled the score with a shot from a distance.
In the 58th minute, Fabio Capello decided to try and change things on the field by bringing on Brazilian Ronaldo instead of debutant Argentine Fernando Gago, and substituting 18-year-old Marcelo for right-back Michel Salgado.
Although "Real" improved their play slightly, they failed to create any clear chances to score, and Cristian almost made the score more convincing. But "Deportivo" will be more than satisfied with this result, as it was the first victory for the La Coruna club in the last ten matches.
0 - 1 74` [0 - 1] Miguel Angel Angulo
In the last round of matches on Sunday evening, "Valencia" won away against "Villarreal" with a single goal and took advantage of the leaders' failures to approach the top four. While the hosts had their first opportunity in the tenth minute when Diego Forlan's shot was saved by Santiago Canizares, it was difficult for "Villarreal" to attack without their team leader Juan Roman Riquelme, who seemed to be absent on the pitch by the coach's decision.
Later in the first half, Spain's national team forward David Villa and attacking midfielder Silva had chances to score.
The second half almost started with a goal for "Villarreal", but Guillermo Franco, who did not expect to receive the ball, wasted a great opportunity, and a minute later, the Mexican shot weakly towards the goal and S. Canizares easily caught the ball.
After playing more than five minutes, "Villarreal" failed to score a goal, as after Miguel's cross-field pass hit Josemi and skimmed past the goal. Mariano Barbosa saved David Villa's corner kick.
After a few minutes, D. Villa was blocked by Frenchman Pascal Cygan. Later, the team's newcomer, Chilean talent Matias Fernandez, had a good chance but his long shot hit the post.
However, in a determined match, one goal decided everything, and it fell into the "Villarreal" net with just 15 minutes left to play. After Ruben Baraja headed a corner kick from the side, M. Barbosa successfully blocked the headed shot, but Miguel Angulo sent the rebound into the goal.
"Valencia" not only pleased their fans with the victory but also in the end of the match, instead of R. Baraja, who suffered a serious injury, Spanish national team defender Carlos Marchena took to the field.
In Seville, yellow cards rained down, where "Betis" obtained their fourth victory of the season, and the referee showed 11 yellow cards and one red card. The only goal of the match against "Celta" was scored in the middle of the second half when after a pass from Brazilian Assuncao, his compatriot Rafael Sobis successfully sent the ball into the net.
And continuing to surprise everyone after a long break in "La Liga", Huelva's "Recreativo" returned with a minimal away victory against their neighbors in the league standings, Barcelona's "Espanyol". The only goal of the match was scored with an impressive shot in the second half by Jesus Vazquez.
On Sunday, victories were also achieved by Bilbao "Athletic" and Valencia's "Levante", who celebrated a 3-1 win against "Mallorca" and a 2-0 win at home against Santander's "Racing".
Other match statistics
Valencia "Levante" 2 - 0 Santander "Racing" 61` [1 - 0] Diego Camacho 76` [2 - 0] Olivier Kapo
Barcelona "Espanyol" 0 - 1 Huelva "Recreativo" 56` [0 - 1] Jesus Vazquez
"Mallorca" 1 - 3 Bilbao "Athletic" 30` [0 - 1] Ismael Urzaiz 53` [0 - 2] Ismael Urzaiz 82` [1 - 2] Unai Exposito (own goal) 84` [1 - 3] Joseba Etxebarria
Seville "Betis" 1 - 0 Vigo "Celta" 60` [1 - 0] Rafel Sobis 68` Pablo Garcia sent off ("Celta")
Top scorers
- Frederic Kanoute ("Sevilla") - 14 goals
- Tied - Ronaldinho ("Barcelona") - 12 goals
- Tied - Diego Milito ("Zaragoza") - 12 goals
- Ruud van Nistelrooy ("Real") - 9 goals
- Tied - David Villa ("Valencia") - 8 goals
- Tied - Fernando Baiano ("Celta") - 8 goals
League Table
