Was this the weekend which ultimately determined the destination of the 2016/17 La Liga title?
There are certain football games over the course of the season which seem decisive.
And while a late Antoine Griezmann equaliser for Atletico and city rivals Madrid seemed to give Barcelona refreshed title hopes, the Catalans’ 2-0 reverse at Malaga hours later now appears to have stocked the betting odds firmly in favour of Zinedine Zidane’s men.
At the other end, no measured sports betting fan could have predicted one of England’s greatest ever captains would get the job at Granada with weeks of the season remaining. Or could they?
Villarreal 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
It was the result the Yellow Submarine needed to strengthen their grip on fifth place.
They had to hold out for 16 minutes with 10 men but managed to move four points clear of their opponents.
It was a frustrating night for the visitors who hit the crossbar twice in the second half, both times through the ever-green Aritz Aduriz.
Espanyol 1-0 Alaves
Espanyol haven’t yet given up hope of securing a Europa League spot either.
Pablo Piatti’s 10th of the season sealed a deserved home win.
Alaves, of course, have the Copa del Rey Final to look forward to – should they lose, the seventh spot will be enough to seal a Europa League spot.
Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
As first birthday presents go, this was up there with the best.
Antoine Griezmann dedicated his late equaliser to daughter Mia as she celebrated becoming one year-old.
It’s four seasons in a row now without defeat for Atletico in enemy territory at the Bernabeu which was largely frustrated as the home favourites missed the best opportunities.
Sevilla 4-2 Deportivo La Coruna
As the club bid farewell to its director of football for the past 17 years, Monchi, this was a fitting performance.
Three goals inside the opening nine minutes, including Stevan Jovetic’s first minute opener, set the scene for fourth placed Sevilla’s first win in seven.
Indeed, the Andalusians now trail Atletico by just a point and can still dream of a top three finish.
The speculation surrounding the future of manager Jorge Sampaoli, linked with the Argentina national job, may not help those efforts.
Malaga 2-0 Barcelona
Made in Malaga, masterminded in Madrid.
Certainly, former Real man Michel would have been lauded in the capital as he led the side he now coaches to this surprise win.
Frustrating for Barcelona who could have moved level with Real with a victory – and El Clasico still to come – yet now feel a big battle.
The dismissal of Neymar hardly helped their cause.
This also proved Barca’s fringe players, unlike Real’s, are not good enough to come in and cover.
Granada 1-3 Valencia
Three wins on the bounce for Valencia and two more goals for Simone Zaza – the club is about to turn his loan spell from Juventus into a permanent deal.
As Valencia move ever nearer mid-table respectability, this was the final straw for Granada who ended Lucas Alcaraz’s third tenure as coach.
Whether the former Arsenal and England skipper Tony Adams, with limited managerial experience, can pull off a survival miracle remains unlikely, even if he has been at the club in a director role since November and the appointment doesn’t shock all.
Celta Vigo 0-2 Eibar
How the minnows continue to defy their critics.
Kike and Pedro Leon scored the goals to boost Eibar hopes of a first ever European campaign.
The loss of the talented Giuseppe Rossi to injury was a big blow to the hosts.
Osasuna 2-1 Leganes
You wait months to get a win and then two come along at once!
A Sergio Leon double showed Osasuna’s new found confidence, even if it will surely come too late to save the rock bottom club.
Leganes still continue to look anxiously over their shoulders.
Las Palmas 4-1 Real Betis
Now, this was clinical.
How else can you explain the home side winning when they had fewer shots than their opponents?
A much needed Jese Rodriguez goal rounded off a good day for Los Amarillos.
Real Sociedad 3-1 Sporting Gijon
Just the tonic Sociedad needed after three defeats in four.
They’re back up to sixth, whereas the Asturian strugglers remain in trouble.
Their luck was summed up when Willian Jose’s early header was adjudged to have crossed the line, from which time they were always up against it.
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