Presented with an opportunity to achieve floor on Liga leaders Real Madrid, each Girona after which Barcelona tamely surrendered factors on Sunday. After Real Madrid drew in Valencia the night time earlier than, shocking title challengers Girona had an opportunity to reverse their latest hunch and regain some floor. But they continued to subside as they misplaced 1-0 at Mallorca. That gave big Catalan rivals Barcelona an opportunity to take second, however they drew 0-0 in Bilbao within the late sport. Girona remained second, seven factors behind Real with Barcelona one other level behind.

Atletico Madrid tightened their grip on fourth as they beat Betis 2-1.

On Saturday, Real Madrid drew 2-2 at Valencia in a sport that resulted in controversy as Jude Bellingham, who thought he had simply scored the winner, was despatched off for protesting after his strike was dominated out as a result of the referee had blown the ultimate whistle.

In Palma on Sunday, Mallorca, recent from reaching the Copa del Rey remaining, scored the one objective after 33 minutes.

Following a nook, the ball rebounded off Mallorca’s Cyle Larin and fell to Jose-Manuel Copete in house lower than 10 metres out. The defender smashed a shot in off the underside of the bar.

Girona loved a slight edge in possession however struggled to create clear-cut probabilities as they failed to attain for the third time in 5 video games.

“I am disappointed with the result but not with the team’s attitude,” mentioned Girona coach Michel Sanchez.

The victory pulled Mallorca as much as fifteenth, eight factors away from the relegation locations.

Barcelona ended their go to to Bilbao taking part in out an uneventful goalless draw at strolling tempo.

“We didn’t play a good game, we didn’t attack well,” mentioned coach Xavi. “We didn’t play our best. The match required more from us. It’s a missed opportunity. The team could have done more.”

Barcelona additionally suffered doubtlessly expensive accidents to Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, who went off in tears.

Bilbao, who additionally reached the Spanish Cup remaining in midweek, stayed fifth, 5 factors behind Atletico Madrid, the one crew that said the weekend within the high half of the desk to win.

In the afternoon, Atletico took the lead towards Betis after eight minutes with assist from the guests.

Memphis Depay drove a cross towards Alvaro Morata, lurking on the far put up, however the ball by no means reached the Spain striker as three Betis gamers mixed to place the ball into their very own web.

Hector Bellerin scuffed the ball onto team-mate German Pezzella who deflected it towards the road the place goalkeeper Rui Silva may solely parry it into his personal objective.

Rui Silva introduced down Morata to concede a twenty seventh minute penalty however the goalkeeper saved the spot kick and two follow-up makes an attempt by Morata.

Morata discovered the goal within the forty third minute, nodding in a rebound from shut vary after Rui Silva saved a shot by Rodrigo de Paul.

“It was a deserved victory,” mentioned Atletico coach Diego Simeone. “We needed it.”

William Carvalho pulled one again for Betis with a long-range blast after 62 minutes.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak pushed a shot from Guido Rodriguez onto the put up as Atletico absorbed late Betis strain.

In the day’s opening sport, Alexander Sorloth scored a hat-trick as Villarreal crushed struggling Granada 5-1.

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