Griezmann's double keeps Barcelona at the center of the La Liga race
Barcelona achieved a difficult and important victory by defeating Villarreal 2-1 on Sunday with the double of Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, to tighten the screws on Atletico Madrid, leaders in the race to the title, in the 32nd stage of the Spanish Football League.
Griezmann scored Barcelona's two goals (28 and 35), while Nigerian Samuel Chuquezi scored the goal of Villarreal Al-Orphan (26).
With this victory, Barcelona raised its score to 71 points in third place, equal in points with Real Madrid, but with a lesser game in its baggage, while Villarreal, who hosts Arsenal in the semi-final first leg of the European League "Europa League", froze on Thursday, at 49 points. In seventh place.
But Atletico could extend the two-point lead to five in their win over Athletic Bilbao later in the day.
After losing El Clásico in the league, Barcelona rose up by winning the Copa del Rey for the 31st time in its history before honoring its guest Getafe, beating it 5-2 Thursday to tighten the screws on the poles of the capital, maintaining its hopes of achieving the cup and the league double.
"The players are hungry to win another title," Dutch coach Ronald Koeman said after the victory.
He added, "The league title is closer, I do not know how close it is, but it is close. We are on the right path, and if we win the remaining six matches, we will be champions."
Follow our latest local and sports news, and the latest political and economic developments via Google news