A competitive round of fixtures in La Liga saw leaders Atletico Madrid suffer their first loss of the season, slipping down to fifth in the table. The result leaves Real Madrid and Villarreal as the only two unbeaten sides in the Spanish first division this season.
We take a look at highlights and results from around La Liga in Matchweek 9.
VALENCIA CF 2 BARCELONA 3 – SATURDAY OCTOBER 22ND – ESTADIO DE MESTALLA
A tense encounter and a late penalty saw Barcelona secure a 3-2 victory at Valencia on Saturday. Lionel Messi’s second goal of the afternoon sealed three points for the visitors deep into stoppage time, as home supporters and fans showered the Barcelona players with debris and trash.
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was injured early in the first half.
Messi’s first goal in the 21st minute gave the Blaugrana a 1-0 halftime lead, but Valencia responded in impressive fashion.
Goals from Munir El Haddadi (52’) and Rodrigo (56’) gave Los Che a 2-1 advantage, only to see strikes from Luis Suarez (62’) and Messi (94’) find the victory for manager Luis Enrique’s side.
The result leaves Barcelona in third place, two points behind leaders Real Madrid.
CELTA VIGO 4 DEPORTIVO DE LA CORUNA 1 – SUNDAY OCTOBER 23RD – ESTADIO MUNICIPAL DE BALAIDOS
Celta Vigo picked up an important three points to vault into the top half of the league table in a 4-1 victory over Deportivo de La Coruna on Sunday. Celta manager Eduardo Berizzo will be pleased with a complete team performance.
A 1-1 score at halftime quickly turned in the homes side’s favour, as a brace from Iago Aspas (60’, 83’) and a goal from Fabian Orellana (78’) finished off a strong second half.
The result now leaves Deportivo in 17th place, with only eight points from nine matches.
SEVILLA 1 ATLETICO MADRID 0 – SUNDAY OCTOBER 23RD – ESTADIO RAMON SANCHEZ PIZJUAN
Atletico Madrid and manager Diego Simeone lost their first game of the 2016-17 La Liga season on Sunday, as Sevilla won 1-0 at home on Sunday afternoon.
An incredible performance from Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi was key to the home side’s victory. The Frenchman controlled the middle of the pitch throughout and scored the match-winner in the 73rd minute.
The result sees Atletico Madrid fall to fifth place in the La Liga standings, three points behind Real Madrid.
VILLARREAL CF 2 UD LAS PALMAS 1 – SUNDAY OCTOBER 23RD – ESTADIO EL MADRIGAL
Villarreal and manager Fran Escriba remain one of only two unbeaten sides in La Liga this season after a 2-1 victory over Las Palmas.
An incredible strike from Kevin-Prince Boateng gave the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Villarreal levelled the match when Nicola Sansone scored in the 64th minute and found the match-winner in stoppage time through Cedric Bakambu.
The result has Villarreal only three points behind Real Madrid in the league standings.
REAL MADRID CF 2 ATHLETIC BILBAO 1 – SUNDAY OCTOBER 23RD – THE SANTIAGO BERNABEU
Real Madrid took back sole possession of first place in La Liga with a 2-1 home victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Goals from Karim Benzema (7’) and Alvaro Morata (84’) were enough for Los Blancos to take all three points on the night.
Bilbao was organised at the back and did well to keep Real Madrid from finding a second goal until Morata found the back of the net minutes before the final whistle.
Zinedine Zidane’s side continue their unbeaten start to the 2016-17 La Liga season at Deportivo Alaves on Saturday, October 29th.
AROUND LA LIGA
FRIDAY OCTOBER 21ST
CA OSASUNA 1 – REAL BETIS 2
SATURDAY OCTOBER 22ND
RCD ESPANYOL 3 – SD EIBAR 3
REAL SOCIEDAD 3 – DEPORTIVO ALAVES 0
GRANADA CF 0 – SPORTING GIJON 0
SUNDAY OCTOBER 23RD
MALAGA CF 4 – CD LEGANES 0
