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E-mail Xinhua, April 7, 2025
FC Barcelona holds a four-point lead at the top of La Liga with eight games remaining after drawing at home to Betis, while Real Madrid suffered a shock home defeat to Valencia in the 30th round of matches in Spain this weekend.
Barca had the opportunity to extend its lead to six points, but after Gavi's opening goal in the seventh minute on Saturday night, Natan's powerful header leveled the score at 1-1. Although Barca controlled possession for most of the game, they appeared fatigued after playing four matches in just 10 days.
Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a penalty and made several crucial saves as his side stunned the Bernabeu.
Mamardashvili denied a Vinicius penalty in the 11th minute before Mouctar Diakhaby headed home a powerful goal five minutes later.
Vinicius equalized from close range, but Valencia caught Madrid on the break in the final moments of the game. Rafa Mir crossed the ball for Hugo Duro, who scored another header after a swift counter-attack.
On Sunday, Atletico Madrid moved to within three points of its city rival after Pablo Barrios' 93rd-minute goal secured a 2-1 away victory against Sevilla.
Sevilla took the lead in the seventh minute through Lucien Agoume with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. However, the home side soon lost Ruben Vargas to injury, and against the run of play, Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico after Loric Bade brought down Conor Gallagher.
Atletico snatched the win in the 93rd minute when Barrios' left-footed shot went in off the post, in a victory that his side scarcely deserved.
Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao played out a tense 0-0 draw, a result that helps Athletic maintain its six-point lead over Villarreal and Betis in the standings.
The home side, Villarreal, dominated the first half with some fluid attacking football. However, Athletic gained more control after the break, although they failed to capitalize in the closing minutes after Villarreal's Pape Gueye was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Maroan Sanabi.
Real Sociedad recovered from its midweek Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid with a 3-1 away win against Las Palmas, who are now in deeper trouble following results elsewhere this weekend.
Las Palmas coach Diego Martinez is likely to lose his job after Mikel Oyarzabal, Sergio Gomez, and Jon Aramburu scored for Real Sociedad, with Oliver McBurnie netting a consolation goal for the home side.
Getafe has boosted its chances of qualifying for Europe after an easy away win against a Valladolid side that seems to have accepted relegation at the end of the season.
Mauro Arambarri put Getafe ahead in the first minute, with Ramon Terrats adding two more goals before halftime. Valladolid ended the first half with 10 men. In the second half, Valladolid defender Lucas Perez reportedly hit his teammate Juanma Latasa while both were sitting on the bench. Domingos Duarte then scored Getafe's fourth goal.
On Saturday, Celta came back from a goal down to win 2-1 away against Mallorca. Fer Lopez scored a well-taken winner after Alfonso Gonzalez's low shot had canceled out Martin Valjent's 17th-minute opener for the home side.
Carlos Vicente scored the only goal of the game in the 61st minute as Alaves secured a 1-0 away win against Girona.
On Friday night, Espanyol took a significant step towards survival with a 4-0 away victory against Rayo Vallecano in what was arguably its best performance of the season.
