MADRID, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) – Real Madrid reclaimed the top spot in La Liga as Barcelona suffered a stunning 4-1 defeat at sevilla on Sunday, marking a dramatic end too the domestic action before the international break.
Barcelona, missing key players Lamine Yamal and Raphinha and appearing fatigued after a midweek 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, conceded twice in the first half through Alexis Sanchez and Isaac Romero. Marcus Rashford briefly narrowed the deficit late in the first half.
Robert Lewandowski’s second-half penalty miss proved costly as jose Antonio Carmona extended Sevilla‘s lead in the 89th minute, and Akor Adams added a fourth in stoppage time.On Saturday, Real madrid secured a 3-1 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu.Vinicius Jr.scored twice after halftime, including a penalty, before Georges Mikautadze responded for Villarreal in the 73rd minute. Santiago Mourino’s subsequent red card for a second yellow card effectively ended Villarreal’s comeback hopes, allowing Kylian Mbappe to seal the win before leaving the pitch with a minor ankle injury.
Elsewhere,Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 away to Celta Vigo,despite an early own goal from Carl Starfelt.Clement Lenglet’s 40th-minute red card shifted the momentum, with Iago Aspas equalizing after Jan Oblak saved Borja Iglesias’ shot.
Elche’s seven-game unbeaten streak was broken in a 3-1 loss to Alaves, who led 2-0 through Carlos vicente’s penalty and a Toni Martinez goal. Andre da Silva pulled one back in stoppage time, only for Lucas Boye to promptly restore Alaves’ two-goal advantage.
Real Betis overcame a one-goal deficit to win 2-1 at Espanyol, with Cucho Hernandez and ez Abde overturning Pol Lozano’s opener.Pau Lopez, formerly of Espanyol, then saved a 100th-minute penalty from Javi Puado.
Rayo Vallecano continued their positive form with a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad, thanks to a late strike from Alfonso espino.
Athletic Bilbao ended a four-game winless run with a 2-1 home victory over Mallorca. Inaki Williams opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but Samu Costa’s looping cross leveled the score before Alejandro Rego secured the win with an assist from Jesus Areso.
Levante defeated Oviedo 2-0, with goals from Carlos Alvarez and Etta Eyong.
Girona, despite finishing with nine men, held on for a 2-1 win over Valencia, with Vladislav Vanat and Arnau Martinez scoring for the hosts. Diego Lopez scored for Valencia before Ivan Martin and Alejandro Frances received late red cards.
on Friday, Osasuna edged Getafe 2-1, with Alejandro Catena scoring the winning goal in the final minute. ■
