Bale and Barca capture headlines in Spain's matchday 14

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, November 25, 2019
Adjust font size:
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale (L) vies with Levante's Enis Bardhi during a Spanish league match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, on Oct. 20, 2018. Real Madrid lost 1-2. (Xinhua/Edward Lopez Peters)

Barcelona won but failed to convince, while Gareth Bale was booed, but showed why he is so important to Real Madrid in the 14th round of matches in Spain this weekend.

Barcelona needed to come back from behind away to bottom of the table Leganes after Youssif En Nesyri had put the home side ahead.

Ernesto Valverde's men again lacked fluency, but thanks to the combination of Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, with the latter nodding home Messi's free kick, they were level in the 53rd minute before Arturo Vidal scored from close range to send the points back to Barcelona.

Real Madrid also conceded an early goal as Willian Jose put Real Sociedad ahead in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after a bad mistake from Sergio Ramos.

Karim Benzema, who continues to produce the best football of his career, got Madrid back on level terms and Fede Valverde's deflected shot gave Madrid the lead two minutes into the second half.

Gareth Bale was booed by most of the fans in the ground when he made his first appearance for Madrid in over a month with just over 20 minutes remaining, but the Welshman set up Luka Modric for Madrid's third of the game, with the help of a neat knockdown from Benzema. Bale then nearly set up Isco for a fourth and went close himself in the closing minutes.

Athletic Club Bilbao climbed above Real Sociedad into fifth place after goals from Raul Garcia and Kennan Kodro helped them to claim their first away win of the season and end Osasuna's 31 game unbeaten record in the El Sadar Stadium.

Chimy Avila scored for Osasuna, but a scrambled finish from former Osasuna striker, Kodro saw the points make the short trip back to Bilbao.

Atletico Madrid played some of their most attractive football of the season, but failed to turn possession into three points away to Granada.

The home side had lost their last three games, but showed personality to quickly bounce back after Renan Lodi opened the scoring in the 60th minute. German Sanchez's powerful header from a corner ensured that the points were shared.

Espanyol are still in deep trouble without a home win all season despite Wu Lei's 45th minute goal which at least served to give them a point against Getafe. Jaime Mata opened the scoring for the visitors in the third minute, but the Chinese striker assured a share of the points from close range following a corner.

Two second half goals from Joselu gave Alaves a 2-0 win away to Eibar in the Basque derby away to Eibar, while Iago Aspas netted twice in the last 11 minutes to give Celta Vigo a much-needed 3-1 win away to Villarreal and confirm the signs of recovery they showed under new coach Oscar Garcia in the Camp Nou a fortnight ago.

There was late drama in the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Saturday as Sergio Canales scored a 93rd minute free kick to give Betis a 2-1 win at home to Valencia and possibly save coach Joan Ferrer 'Rubi's job.

Maxi Gomez had put Valencia ahead after 32 minutes, but veteran winger Joaquin Sanchez levelled the scores five minutes later from the center of the area before Canales winning goal from a narrow angle.

The weekend ended on Sunday night with Sevilla winning 1-0 in Valladolid thanks to Ever Banega's 12th minute penalty kick. The win lifts Julen Lopetegui's side into third above Atletico Madrid, although they lost Lucas Ocampos who was sent off for a second yellow card in injury time. Enditem

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter