Real Sociedad opened up a five point advantage in fourth with their big win over Valencia while Granada moved out of the drop zone for now with a win over Espanyol. Enjoy a recap of all the action today in Spain.
La Liga Sunday: Big day for Real Sociedad and Granada
Real Sociedad took a huge step towards securing a Champions League spot with their 4-2 victory over Valencia. Granada got an important win that moves them above the drop zone with five weeks left.
Espnayol 0-1 Granada
Granda earned their first win in ten matches thanks to a 37th mintue free kick goal by Nolito. The midfielder struck the ball from just outside the Espanyol area, curling over the wall and into the upper left corner past a frozen Francisco Casilla.
Granada moves out of the drop zone and will remain there at least until next week’s round of games.
Malaga 2-1 Getafe
Malaga's fourth place hopes were helped by today's victory as the Anchovies held off a late Getafe surge to take the full three points. Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Weligton book ended halftime and have Malaga a 2-0 lead that they held until the 70th minute when Valera scored what ended up being a consolation goal for the visitors.
Malaga are banned from Europe next season -- pending an appeal -- but they’re still hoping to earn a Champions League spot should things work in their favor.
Real Valladolid 1-1 Sevilla
Valladolid went ahead before half time thanks to a goal from Javi Guerra but Álvaro Negredo’s penalty in the 60th minute held Sevilla to earn a 1-1 draw. Valladolid scored first thanks to an excellent run from Patrick Ebert who split the Sevilla midfield before finding Guerra with a long ball as the striker split the last two defenders. Guerra chipped Andrés Palop as he went to ground.
Sevilla equalized in the second half when Marc Valiente was called for a handball in the box. Negredo sent Jaime Jiménez Merlo diving to the left and beat him with a low shot right down the middle.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Valencia
Roberto Saldado and Iñigo Martínez scored nine minutes apart in the first half to neutralize one another but Sociedad found a winner late in the second half thanks to some glorious interplay between Imanol Agirretxe and Gonzalo Castro. Sociedad countered off a blocked Valencia set piece and after a clever one-two in the midfield Agirretxe laid a perfect call across to Castro who fired past Diego Alves.
Agirretxe extended Sociedad’s lead to 3-1 in the 86th minute finishing off a cross from Xabi Prieto. Jones brought Valencia back within a goal in the 90th minute but Agirretxe scored again in the 94th minute on a breakaway to secure the victory.
Sociedad remains in fourth place, moving five points clear of Malaga and Valencia with five games left to play.
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