AFCON 2025
An eventful weekend in La Liga delivered late winners, contentious officiating, and crucial results in the fight for the title and survival.
Real Madrid kept pace with leaders Barcelona thanks to a stoppage-time strike, while Atlético Madrid’s faltering campaign took another hit.
At the other end of the table, Osasuna boosted their survival hopes with a rare away triumph, and Sevilla and Alavés battled to a tense stalemate in a relegation six-pointer.
Elsewhere, refereeing decisions dominated headlines following a fiery draw between Villarreal and Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid edged Athletic Club 1-0 at the Bernabéu, with Federico Valverde scoring a stoppage-time winner to keep Los Blancos within four points of leaders Barcelona. Vinícius Jr. had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside earlier in the match.
Atlético Madrid’s title hopes suffered a blow as they fell 1-0 to Las Palmas. The defeat leaves them six points behind Real Madrid and further adrift of Barcelona.
Osasuna secured a vital 3-2 away win against Valladolid, marking their first league victory on the road in six months. Ante Budimir netted twice, including a penalty, to help his side virtually ensure top-flight survival.
Villarreal and Real Sociedad played out a controversial 2-2 draw, with Villarreal having three goals disallowed by referee Cuadra Fernández, leading to significant post-match debate over the officiating.
In other matches, Sevilla and Alavés played to a 1-1 draw at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium in a match pivotal for both teams’ aspirations to avoid relegation.
Sevilla took an early lead in the 12th minute when Gerard Fernández, known as “Peque,” scored with a header following a cross from Lucien Agoumé. However, Alavés equalized in first-half stoppage time through Kike García, who capitalized on a pass from Carlos Vicente.
