Barcelona stumbles against Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid escapes the trap of Alaves

Barcelona drew with host Celta Vigo, while Atletico Madrid beat their guest Deportivo Alaves 2-1, on Saturday, in the fourteenth round of the Spanish Football League.

Barcelona squandered the chance to win against host Celta Vigo and tied with them (2-2) after Brazilian Raphinha scored in the 15th minute before Polish striker Robert Lewandowski added the second goal in the 61st minute.

The referee sent off Marc Casado in the 82nd minute, and Celta Vigo players took advantage of the numerical deficit and reduced the difference through substitute Alfon Gonzalez in the 84th minute, and equalized two minutes later through Hugo Alvarez.

🔥🔥🔥 Celta Vigo lights up the match with an equaliser #LaLiga | #Celta_Vigo_Barcelona #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/eEAQ0sxAwH

- beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 23, 2024

The Catalan club, which suffered its first draw since the start of the season, lost in the last round before the international break away from home by one goal to none against Real Sociedad.

Barcelona's score became 34 points at the top of the standings, while Celta Vigo raised its score to 18 points in eleventh place.

📺 Controversy in the analytical studio about the refereeing decisions in the first half of the Celta Vigo and Barcelona match #Spanish_League | #Celta_Vigo_Barcelona #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/USuLxpmdYF

- beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 23, 2024

Atletico Madrid beat Alaves

Atletico Madrid beat visiting Deportivo Alaves 2-1 with a goal scored by Alexander Sorloth near the end of Diego Simeone's 700th match as coach of the Spanish capital team.

Alaves took an early lead from the penalty spot but Antoine Griezmann equalised from the spot in the 76th minute before Sorloth scored his fifth goal of the season after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Atletico move up to second in the league, four points behind leaders Barcelona, who have two games left, while Alaves drop to 16th.

“It’s a huge number of games, 700. Congratulations to him. We dedicate the win to him and to the fans,” said the coach’s son Giuliano, who revived the team in the second half and was named man of the match.

Atletico fell behind in the seventh minute from a penalty kick scored by John Grady after Gabi Galan handled the ball inside the area.

The Metropolitano stadium was silent after going behind by a goal, but Samuel Lino's attempt from a Griezmann pass excited the crowd but bounced back off the crossbar.

Atletico fans boo

With Alaves holding firm in defence, some Atletico fans booed as Atletico failed to capitalise on their possession and inaccurate passing in the final third, while Antonio Severa was alert in defence.

Simeone made two substitutions at half-time, bringing on Giuliano and Sorloth before bringing on Julian Alvarez after an hour, but Alaves maintained their defensive discipline.

Giuliano activated the attacking line and made a lot of effort as he started from both sides of the field and almost scored the equalizer from a counterattack with a quick start towards the goal, but the goalkeeper brilliantly blocked his shot.

Atletico were awarded a penalty in the 74th minute when Sorloth's header hit defender Abdelkabir Abkar's arm inside the area. Griezmann converted from the spot.

In other matches, Valencia achieved a valuable victory over Real Betis (4-2), Girona defeated Espanyol (4-1), and Real Mallorca achieved a victory over Las Palmas (3-2).

Source: beIN Sports + Reuters