La Liga: Real Madrid Back On Top After Sevilla Thrash Barcelona

La Liga: Real Madrid back on top after Sevilla thrash Barcelona (Image Source: IANS)

Missing Lamine Yamal: Real Madrid entered the international break at the top of La Liga after beating Villarreal, while FC Barcelona slumped to a 4-1 defeat away to Sevilla on Sunday.

Missing Lamine Yamal and Raphinha and showing fatigue after Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona was overrun in the first half. Alexis Sanchez converted a penalty before Isaac Romero doubled Sevilla's lead, and Marcus Rashford pulled one back late in first-half stoppage time.

Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty in the second half, and Jose Antonio Carmona restored Sevilla's two-goal cushion in the 89th minute. Akor Adams added a fourth deep into stoppage time to seal an emphatic win.

On Saturday, Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius Jr. scored twice after halftime - the second from the spot - before Georges Mikautadze gave the visitors hope in the 73rd minute. Villarreal's challenge ended when Santiago Mourino was sent off for a second yellow card after minimal contact with Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappe wrapped up the win eight minutes later before hobbling off with a minor ankle issue.

Atletico Madrid undid much of the good from last weekend's derby victory with a 1-1 draw away to Celta Vigo. Carl Starfelt's early own goal put Atletico ahead, but Clement Lenglet's 40th-minute red card turned the match. Iago Aspas leveled in the second half after Jan Oblak had parried Borja Iglesias' shot.

Elche's seven-game unbeaten run ended in a 3-1 loss to Alaves, who went 2-0 up through a Carlos Vicente penalty and a Toni Martinez strike. Andre da Silva pulled one back in stoppage time, but Lucas Boye immediately restored Alaves' two-goal cushion.

Real Betis came from behind to win 2-1 at Espanyol, with second-half goals from Cucho Hernandez and Ez Abde overturning Pol Lozano's opener. Former Espanyol keeper Pau Lopez secured the victory with a 100th-minute penalty save from Javi Puado.

Rayo Vallecano maintained their momentum from Thursday's Conference League triumph as Alfonso Espino's late strike earned a 1-0 win at struggling Real Sociedad.

Athletic Bilbao snapped a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 home victory over Mallorca. Inaki Williams converted an early penalty before Samu Costa's cross looped in for the visitors, but Alejandro Rego netted the winner minutes later from a Jesus Areso assist.

Levante took three points in Oviedo thanks to goals from Carlos Alvarez and Etta Eyong in a 2-0 victory between newly promoted sides.

Athletic Bilbao snapped a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 home victory over Mallorca. Inaki Williams converted an early penalty before Samu Costa's cross looped in for the visitors, but Alejandro Rego netted the winner minutes later from a Jesus Areso assist.

On Friday, Osasuna edged Getafe 2-1 as Alejandro Catena headed in the decisive goal in the final minute.

Article Source: IANS