Real, Atlético in crucial wins as Betis on verge of survival: Liga F Week 26 Round Up
Real Madrid came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory over visiting Villarreal at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Sunday evening.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through midfielder Paola Soldevila off a pass from fellow midfielder Fatou Kanteh.
The hosts levelled the scores a minute before the half-time break through player of the moment Caroline Weir after she was set up by fellow midfielder Athenea del Castillo.
Both teams made half-time changes with the hosts introducing midfielder Teresa Abelleira for midfielder Maite Oroz and the visitors introducing defender Yenifer Gimenez for defender Irene Miguélez.
However, it was Madrid who went on to score through Weir in the 57th minute with an assist from midfielder Sandie Toletti.
The goal was enough to see her team collect maximum points at home to close the gap to Barcelona to 10 points having played a game more. Villarreal, on the other hand, remain in danger as they are still two points above the relegation zone.
Watch Real Madrid vs. Villarreal highlights:
Meanwhile, fourth-placed Atlético Madrid closed the gap to third-placed Levante to seven points after a 2-1 win at the Centro Deportivo Alcalá de Henares on Sunday afternoon.
Midfielder Eva Navarro broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute for Atlético before forward Lucía Moral Ruiz doubled the lead in the 32nd minute.
The visitors reduced their goal deficit two minutes later through midfielder Tatiana Pinto but it would not be enough to stop the hosts from collecting maximum points against their closest rivals in the race for top three finish with four rounds of matches left to play.
Levante remained on 59 points whilst Atlético moved to 52 points.
Watch Atlético Madrid vs. Levante UD highlights below:
Fifth-placed Madrid CFF survived a scare as they came from behind to win 2-1 against hosts Sporting Huelva at the Campo del CD Lamiya on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts took a fifth minute lead through forward Berglind Rós Ágústsdóttir who converted a pass from defender Raiderlin Nazareth Carrasco Vargas.
Madrid CFF made a double change at half-time bringing on their top goalscorer forward Racheal Kundananji and forward Alba Ruiz for forwards Lucía Pardo and Gabi Nunes respectively.
The changes paid off immediately with Kundananji levelling the scores two minutes into the second half after she was set up by defender Sandra Villafañe Serrada.
Midfielder Florencia Bonsegundo broke the hearts of the hosts when she pounced on a pass from substitute Grace Chanda to give her side the lead with five minutes left to play.
The win moved the visitors to 47 points whilst Sporting Huelva remained on 20 points, just two points above the relegation zone.
Real Betis moved five points clear of relegation after their 2-0 victory over hosts UDG Tenerife at the Estadio La Palmera on Saturday afternoon.
Midfielder Rosa Márquez broke the deadlock in the 59th minute before Laurina secured maximum points for her side, doubling her team’s advantage with four minutes left off a pass from defender Leire Peña.
The win took Betis to 23 points, five clear of relegation whilst Tenerife’s five games’ unbeaten run was halted. They remained sixth with 36 points.
Real Sociedad turned on the fire in the second half to demolish visiting Valencia 4-0 at the Instalaciones de Zubieta on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 58th minute when Valencia midfielder Fiamma Benítez beat her own goalkeeper before forward Synne Jensen doubled her side’s lead eight minutes later when she converted a pass from fellow forward Sanni Franssi.
The hosts made it 3-0 through midfielder Andreia Jacinto in the 73rd minute to put them in control of the game before Franssi sealed the win in the 84th minute after she was set up by substitute defender Jade Le Guilly.
The win moved the hosts to 35 points above their opponents who remained on 33 with a five-match losing streak.
Alavés narrowly beat visiting Levante Las Planas 1-0 at the Ciudad Deportiva José Luis Compañón on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts broke the deadlock through forward Sanadri three minutes before half-time when she converted a pass from midfielder Ane Miren.
The win moved the hosts to 18 points and only two points from safety whilst the visitors remained on 20 points just two points above the relegation zone.
Athletic Club are almost certain of staying put after their hard fought 1-0 victory over visiting Alhama CF ElPozo on Friday night.
The hosts took a seventh minute lead through midfielder Mariana Cerro and held onto the lead till the end.
Athletic Club gained three crucial points in their bid to stay put and moved to 28 points whilst Alhama remained on 18 points, two from safety.
Results (Friday): Athletic Club 1-0 Alhama CF ElPozo
Results (Saturday): Real Sociedad 4-0 Valencia; UDG Tenerife 0-2 Real Betis; Alavés 1-0 Levante Las Planas
Results (Sunday): Atlético Madrid 2-1 Levante; Sporting Huelva 1-2 Madrid CFF; Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal
Postponed: Sevilla vs Barcelona (To be played on 10 May 2023)