Atlético Madrid dominated Valladolid 5-0, closing the gap to Barcelona to just two points after the Catalans lost 2-1 to Las Palmas.
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Atlético Madrid delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, securing a 5-0 victory over Valladolid and capitalizing on Barcelona's slip-up against Las Palmas to close the gap at the top of La Liga to just two points.
The result highlights the intensity of the title race as Atlético extends their unbeaten run with a seventh consecutive win across all competitions, bolstering their credentials as serious contenders this season.
The stage was set earlier in the day when Barcelona suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat away to Las Palmas. Atlético, aware of the opportunity to gain ground, approached their fixture against Valladolid with purpose and ruthlessness. The match was effectively decided in the first half, as Atlético unleashed a flurry of attacks that overwhelmed the hosts. Clément Lenglet opened the scoring in the 26th minute, showcasing his aerial prowess from a well-delivered set piece. Julián Álvarez doubled the lead just nine minutes later, demonstrating clinical finishing to capitalize on defensive errors. Rodrigo de Paul made it 3-0 in the 37th minute with a composed strike that underlined his importance in Atlético's midfield.
The second half saw Atlético maintain control, with Antoine Griezmann adding his name to the scoresheet in the 52nd minute. Griezmann's goal exemplified his playmaking ability, as he combined flair and precision to navigate through Valladolid’s defense. Alexander Sorloth capped off the dominant display with a goal deep into stoppage time (90+2), securing Atlético's biggest win of the season and dealing a significant blow to Valladolid, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just nine points.
This victory takes Atlético to 32 points, just two behind Barcelona, who are enduring a rough patch in the league with three consecutive matches without a win. Real Madrid, meanwhile, sit two points behind Atlético but have two games in hand, adding further intrigue to the title race. Valladolid’s struggles continue as they languish in 20th place, facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
In the earlier match, Las Palmas delivered a memorable performance to upset Barcelona, with Portuguese forward Fábio Silva emerging as the hero. Silva’s decisive goal in the 67th minute secured a 2-1 victory and further compounded Barcelona's frustrations. The Catalans had initially fallen behind in the 49th minute when former Barça player Sandro Ramírez found the net for Las Palmas. Barcelona managed to equalize through Raphinha in the 61st minute, but Silva’s clinical finish restored the home side’s lead, sealing a significant victory. Las Palmas’ win moves them up to 14th place with 15 points, leapfrogging Leganés and Alavés, who drew 1-1 in their encounter.
Leganés had taken the lead against Alavés in the 67th minute through Óscar Rodríguez, but Carlos Vicente’s late equalizer in the 87th minute salvaged a point for the home side. The result keeps both teams hovering precariously above the relegation zone, with Alavés in 16th place and Leganés in 15th, both on 15 points.
Elsewhere, Espanyol ended a dismal run of four consecutive defeats with a 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo. The Catalan side produced a spirited performance at home, with goals from Irvin Cardona (40th), Leandro Cabrera (53rd), and Walid Cheddira (87th). Despite conceding a late penalty, converted by Iago Aspas in the 83rd minute, Espanyol’s resilience ensured they secured three crucial points. However, the win wasn’t enough to lift them out of the relegation zone, as they remain 18th with 13 points. Celta Vigo, on the other hand, extended their winless streak to three games and now sit in 11th place with 18 points.
The weekend’s results underline the shifting dynamics in La Liga. Atlético Madrid’s resurgence, combined with Barcelona's stumbles, has tightened the race for the top spot, while teams at the bottom continue to fight for survival. With Real Madrid still holding two games in hand, the coming weeks promise to be pivotal in shaping the league’s outcome. Atlético’s emphatic victory and growing momentum position them as a formidable force, but consistency will be key as they seek to dethrone Barcelona and fend off the challenge from their city rivals.
Updated: 10:24, 1 Dec 2024
