Real Madrid extended their lead atop the league standings to six points with their victory on Sunday. Barcelona dropped points on the road, while Atletico Madrid rebounded from recent struggles.
We highlight key matches and results from around La Liga in Matchweek 13.
Real Madrid CF 2 Sporting Gijon 1 – Saturday, November 26th – The Santiago Bernabeu
League leaders Real Madrid continued their unbeaten start to the 2016-17 La Liga season with a 2-1 home victory against Sporting Gijon. The result improves Los Blancos’ record to an impressive 10-3-0 in the league.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the fifth minute from the penalty spot and added a second strike (18’) soon after to give Real a comfortable 2-0 advantage early on. However, Gijon and manager Abelardo Fernandez were certainly not about to make proceedings easy for the hosts.
Midfielder Carlos Carmona clawed one back for Gijon in the 35th minute, with Madrid holding a 2-1 lead at half-time. Gijon kept the pressure on and earned a late penalty in the 77th minute. But forward Duje Cop sent the ball high over the crossbar from the spot and Real were able to see out the win.
Real Madrid now prepare for the season’s first El Clasico at the Camp Nou against Barcelona on Saturday. Sporting Gijon will host Osasuna the following day on December 4th.
Sevilla FC 2 Valencia CF 1 – Saturday, November 26th – Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Sevilla kept pace with the top of the table on Saturday in a 2-1 home victory over Valencia. The result has Los Nervionenses tied with Barcelona for second place on 27 points each.
The scoring was opened in the second half when an unfortunate Ezequiel Gray own-goal (52’) gave Sevilla a 1-0 advantage. Substitute Munir El Haddadi equalised for Valencia in the 65th minute only moments after coming on.
Both sides created chances late, but it was Sevilla centre-back Nicolas Pareja who found the breakthrough. His goal in the 75th minute sealed the victory for the home side.
Sevilla will travel to Granada this coming Saturday, while Valencia will host Malaga on Sunday.
Villarreal CF 0 Deportivo Alaves 2 – Sunday, November 27th – Estadio El Madrigal
Alaves and manager Mauricio Pellegrino secured yet another impressive upset this season in the Spanish first division with a 2-0 victory at Villarreal on Sunday. The result drops Villarreal to sixth place in the league standings.
The visitors took control early, with goals from Ibai Gomez (8’) and Victor Camarasa (17’) providing a 2-0 lead at the break.
The second half saw an organised and disciplined defence from Alaves keep a clean sheet and secure an important three points away from home. Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco was outstanding, as he recorded ten saves in the match.
The result moves Alaves to 13th in the league table with 16 points.
CA Osasuna 0 Atletico Madrid 3 – Sunday, November 27th – Estadio El Sadar
Atletico Madrid displayed excellent form on Sunday in a 3-0 victory at Osasuna. Los Rojiblancos had lost their last two consecutive league matches.
The game could have gone in a very different direction if not for Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saving a Roberto Torres penalty in the 14th minute. The visitors took control soon after, with goals from Diego Godin (36’) and Kevin Gameiro (37’) giving manager Diego Simeone’s side a 2-0 advantage at half-time.
Yannick Carrasco added a third goal in the 90th minute, as Atletico are now fourth in the league table.
Atletico Madrid prepare to host Espanyol on Saturday, with Osasuna travelling to Sporting Gijon on Sunday.
Real Sociedad 1 FC Barcelona 1 – Sunday, November 27th – Estadio Anoeta
Barcelona’s difficulties at Estadio Anoeta continued on Sunday in a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad. The Blaugrana had lost five out of their previous six visits to the home of La Real.
Sociedad controlled much of the proceedings throughout, with more of the possession (52-48) and more shots (20-10) than Barcelona. The hosts took the lead in the 53rd minute with a goal from Willian Jose.
Lionel Messi equalised (59’) for Barcelona moments later, but his side struggled to keep up with Sociedad’s pace and accurate passing in the second half. The result leaves Barcelona level on points with Sevilla in second place, six points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
Barcelona will host Real Madrid in a massive El Clasico encounter on Saturday. Real Sociedad will travel to Deportivo de La Coruna on Monday evening.
