Madrid (AFP)

FC Barcelona came back up to Real Madrid, second in Liga, after their 2-1 success at Villarreal thanks to a brace from Antoine Griezmann on Sunday in Matchday 32.

The Catalans did not miss the opportunity to pick up their rivals from Madrid, who could not do better than 0-0 at home against Betis Sevilla on Saturday.

They can even overtake them in the event of a home victory on Thursday against Granada in a late match.

At the same number of matches with Barça, Atlético remains leader by two points before his trip to Bilbao on Sunday evening (9 p.m. / 7 p.m. GMT).

Between Barça's huge missed opportunities at the start of the match and then Villarreal's opener, world champion Antoine Griezmann, finally integrated into this team - with now six goals in his last seven matches -, released his teammates of a meeting that turned into a trap against the semi-finalists of the Europa League.

But "Grizi" did not procrastinate and equalized immediately after the goal conceded (1-0, 26th).

Launched in depth by an opening from his defender Oscar Mingueza, the French striker, yet eccentric, concluded with a subtle sleazy (1-1, 28th).

Before giving the advantage to the Catalans in the wake (1-2, 35th).

Griezmann anticipated an insecure back pass from the defense of the "yellow submarine" and preceded the exit of the opposing goalkeeper to conclude.

- Villarreal ends at ten -

The exclusion of Villarreal defender Manu Trigueros (65th) for a dangerous tackle on Messi, sole forward on the Argentinian's supporting leg, sealed the success of Barça who did not pay for his failures at the start of match.

For example, when Griezmann stumbled over the defenders of the team coached by Unai Emery after a marvelous recovery from the flat foot of Frenkie De Jong (6th), he also missed the opener ten minutes later .

The recovery of the Dutch midfielder, alone at the reception of a center at the far post, sent to the goalkeeper (16th) was reminiscent of the trap match.

A fear confirmed when the Nigerian striker Samuel Chukwueze, launched in the back of the Catalan defense and helped by a slip from Jordi Alba, dribbled Ter Stegen to open the scoring (1-0, 26th).

Ronald Koeman had almost identically renewed the formation (in 3-5-2) which had succeeded for the Blaugrana club in the Copa del Rey final (4-0 victory against Bilbao) and against Getafe (5-2 success) with the association of Griezmann and Messi in tip.

At the bottom of the standings, Getafe offered a breath of fresh air after their 2-0 success in Huesca, penultimate.

With this victory, against a direct competitor in the fight for maintenance and thanks to a brace from their Turkish striker Enes Ünal, the club from the Madrid suburbs have five points ahead of the first relegation, Valladolid, who must make up for a late game against Bilbao on Wednesday.

© 2021 AFP