Madrid (AFP)
What upheavals!
Thanks to a success snatched in the last minutes by the revenge Luis Suarez, Atlético Madrid defeated Osasuna 2-1 for the 37th day and keep control of La Liga, two points ahead of Real Madrid, timid winner in Bilbao 1-0.
A goal that looks like a title?
On a good pass from Yannick Carrasco, the providential "Pistolero" Uruguayan allowed the "Colchoneros" to reverse the match (88th), after the opening of the score of Ante Budimir (76th) and the equalizer of Renan Lodi (82nd ), to keep their first place in the standings in front of the gang in "Zizou", announced by the Spanish press.
Due to the success of Real in Bilbao, Atlético Madrid was not crowned this Sunday, but could celebrate its 11th national title in the event of victory next Sunday on the ground of Valladolid during the last day of the championship, the May 23.
Suspense until the end!
While the final La Liga sprint already offered one of the tightest and most exciting scenarios in many years, the multiplex on the penultimate day of the league has kept all its promises.
And it will therefore be necessary to wait until the last day, in a week, to find out the name of the future champion of Spain.
- Real still believe in it -
It was long believed that the "Colchoneros", leaders since the 9th day, would crack and cede their throne to the defending champion, Real Madrid.
Osasuna striker Budimir opened the scoring with a powerful header that Oblak saved behind the line ... and, still in the last quarter of an hour, Lodi equalized by scoring his first goal of the season in La Liga with a bright opening from Joao Felix.
It was before the winning goal, two minutes before the end of regulation time, of ex-blaugrana Luis Suarez, his 20th La Liga goal this season.
A big relief for the "Rojiblancos" who could have sealed their fate earlier: double opportunity from Luis Suarez from the start, long shot from Saul Niguez on the post (43rd), goals canceled for offside by Stefan Savis and Yannick Carrasco ... so many opportunities that could have allowed Atlético to experience a quieter end of the game.
But, true to their image, Diego Simeone's men suffered to snatch this precious success and prolong the suspense in La Liga.
Because Real Zidane, he still believes in the title.
An unintentional goal scored by Nacho, knee (69th), offered a timid success to the "Merengues" who will at all costs win next Sunday against Villarreal to hope to retain their national crown.
- Messi's 'der' at Camp Nou?
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Barça side, did we attend Leo Messi's last match at Camp Nou this Sunday evening?
The Argentine N.10, who had already mentioned starting desires at the end of last season, opened the scoring with a cross header well placed in the opposing side (28th), on a classic opening by Sergio Busquets.
Enough to consolidate his position as 'Pichichi' (top scorer in La Liga), with 30 goals.
Unfortunately, that was not enough.
The Catalans controlled the first period, with notably good combinations between Messi and Antoine Griezmann, and good contributions from young Ilaix Moriba and Ousmane Dembélé on his wing.
But the men of Ronald Koeman, threatened with eviction after a meeting with the president of Barça in the week, were joined ten minutes later: a strike from Santi Mina was masked by Gerard Piqué, at fault on the marking, and Marc-André ter Stegen has not even moved.
This same Santi Mina offered victory to Celta with a second goal in the 89th who finished burying Barça (2-1), after the expulsion of Clément Lenglet (87th).
© 2021 AFP