Barcelona inched closer to the La Liga title with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad as Real Madrid were held by Valencia. Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Guingamp as the capital-side look to secure their 5th domestic title.
David Moyes’ Real Sociedad tested the resolve of the Barcelona players with a resilient performance at the Camp Nou before a Neymar headed the opener in the 51st minute. Pedro killed the match off with a spectacular bicycle-kick, as the Blaugrana are just a win away from clinching the La Liga title. Geronimo Rulli made some brilliant saves to deny the hosts, in a frustrating first-half for the Catalans. Neymar finally broke the deadlock when he headed home Messi’s cross from the right-flank to hand his side the lead. In the dying moments of the match, bit-part player Pedro wrapped it up with an extravagant acrobatic effort.
Photo: Dennis Doyle
Cristiano Ronaldo will rue his missed penalty after Real Madrid drew against Valencia to shatter their title hopes. Paco Alcacer opened the scoring when he stabbed home Jose Luis Gaya’s cross and a few minutes later, Javi Fuego doubled his side’s lead when he headed in Dani Parejo’s free-kick, to stun the Bernabeu. Bale earned Real a penalty in the final minute of play but Diego Alves dived the right way to save Ronaldo’s penalty.
Photo: Reuters
After the interval, Real looked a transformed side and Diego Alves was forced to make a few more point-blank saves. Pepe decreased the deficit with a thumping header in the 56th minute, as Valencia made feeble attempts to restore their 2-goal lead. Substitute Alvaro Negredo missed two glorious opportunities in the dying moments of the match and Valencia were made to pay when Isco curled in the equalizer in the top-corner with 6 minutes to go. This draw has severely dented hopes for the La Liga title as Barcelona are just a win away from laying their hands on the trophy.
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Marouane Fellaini headed in a late winner against Crystal Palace to go 7 points clear at 4th place and are just 3 points away from returning to the Champions League. Stoke City ended Tottenham Hotspur’s slim hopes of a top-4 finish with a thumping 3-0 victory at the Britannia Stadium. Burnley were relegated despite a 1-0 victory over Hull City to suffer the drop only after a year in the top-flight. Newcastle United ended their 8-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw at home against West Brom.
Photo: Lennart Preiss
Bayern Munich suffered yet another humiliating defeat, this time against Augsburg in the Bundesliga. Pepe Reina was sent off in the 14th minute for a blatant foul on Raul Bobadilla and Manuel Neuer, who was rested for the crucial second-leg against Barcelona, was brought on to replace the Spaniard. Although Paul Verhaegh smashed his penalty against the post, Bobadilla scored the winner in the 71st minute with a clever back-heel. Bayern secured the Bundesliga title 2 weeks ago but have lost all 4 games since then, a first for Pep Guardiola. Borussia Dortmund moved to 7th place and closer to Europa League qualification with a 2-0 win against Hertha Berlin.
Photo: Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain went six points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 with a thumping 6-0 victory versus Guingamp. Edinson Cavani scored his first league hat-trick in a scintillating performance, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two and assisted two as the Parisians look to be the first outfit to win all 4 domestic titles in France. Left-back Maxwell also got a goal as PSG have been on top-form after being ousted from the Champions League.
Tags: Barcelona Cristiano Ronaldo La Liga Neymar Ligue 1 Messi PSG Real Madrid Real Soceidad Valencia
