La Liga Roundup, Matchday 16
Matchday 16 of the 2024/25 La Liga season has wrapped up, showcasing thrilling games, standout performances from players, and unexpected results. Here is the La Liga roundup of the weekend’s events.
Celta Vigo 2-0 Mallorca
Celta Vigo ended their three-match winless streak in LaLiga (with two draws and one loss) by defeating Mallorca 2-0 at the Estadio Abanca-Balaídos. This victory allowed Celta to move into the top half of the standings. On the other hand, Mallorca was unable to secure their position in the top six and now drop to 8th on the standings.
Las Palmas 2-1 Valladolid
Sandro Ramírez’s impressive goal in the second half helped Las Palmas maintain their unbeaten streak against Real Valladolid, as they secured a 2-1 victory at home. This win marks their fifth in seven league games, propelling Las Palmas to 14th place in the standings and giving Diego Martínez’s team a five-point cushion above the relegation zone. On the other hand, La Liga’s last-placed team, under interim manager Álvaro Rubio, experienced no boost from the change, suffering their fifth defeat in six matches.
Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona
During stoppage time, Assane Diao netted an equalizer, securing a crucial point for Real Betis in a 2-2 draw with Barcelona in La Liga, thus ending their five-match losing streak against the Catalan side. Meanwhile, Barcelona has now gone four league games without a win, and Hansi Flick’s squad missed the chance to extend their La Liga lead over rivals Real Madrid.
Valencia 0-1 Rayo Vallecano
A goal from Pathé Ciss helped Rayo Vallecano secure a 1-0 victory against Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium, marking their first win at this location since 2012. Vallecano celebrated this significant achievement, moving up to 12th place in the standings, now 9 points ahead of 19th-placed Valencia, who are facing the threat of relegation for the first time since 1986.
Girona 0-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid bounced back from their midweek loss and avoided back-to-back defeats in La Liga by defeating Girona 3-0, halting the home team’s run of three consecutive victories at Estadi Montilivi. This win brought Real Madrid within two points of Barcelona, with one game remaining, although injuries to Bellingham and Ferland Mendy raised some worries.
Leganes 0-3 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad achieved their first La Liga win at Estadio Municipal Butarque since 2016, securing a convincing 3-0 victory against Leganes, which has propelled them into the European qualification spots. Mikel Oyarzabal scored another goal in stoppage time, worsening the situation for the home team and sealing a defeat that leaves them just two points above the relegation zone.
Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Villarreal
Aitor Paredes and Iñaki Williams scored to lead Athletic Bilbao to a 2-0 victory over Villarreal. This win extended Ernesto Valverde’s team’s unbeaten streak to 11 matches across all competitions and maintained their position above Villarreal in the La Liga standings. With no Copa del Rey participation and no European matches this season, Villarreal is concentrating on the league as they aim to catch up with Bilbao in the latter part of the season.
Osasuna 2-2 Alaves
Alavés rallied to secure a point in an exciting 2-2 match against Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium, preventing Los Rojillos from improving their strong home record this season. Alavés successfully maintained their position, gaining a crucial point that places them two points above the relegation zone, now in 15th place. On the other hand, Osasuna missed the chance to break into the top six, currently sitting in seventh due to their goal difference.
Atletico Madrid 4-3 Sevilla
Atlético Madrid staged a remarkable comeback from being two goals down to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory over Sevilla at the Estadio Metropolitano. Antoine Griezmann netted the winning goal in the 94th minute, helping his team maintain an unbeaten home record in La Liga this season with eight matches (5 wins, 3 draws). Fueled by passionate support from the crowd, Atlético pushed for a late winner, and in the dying moments of stoppage time, Griezmann struck decisively from Lino’s assist, marking the hosts’ fourth consecutive home win against Sevilla.
Getafe 1-0 Espanyol
A goal scored early by Álvaro Rodríguez helped Getafe achieve a crucial 1-0 victory at home against Espanyol at the Estadio Coliseum, maintaining their impressive home record with only one loss in the last nine matches (3 wins, 5 draws). This win allows Getafe to create some distance from the relegation zone, placing them three points ahead of Espanyol, who are still in 18th position.
