The race for the Spanish championship will go right to the last weekend with Barcelona and Real Madrid duking it out. Atletico Madrid won’t be in contention after going down 2-1 at relegated Levante.
Just a single point separates Barcelona and Real Madrid ahead of the last weekend in La Liga. Spain’s dominant duo will go head-to-head for the Spanish championship next weekend with the Catalans in the driving seat.
That was after a 5-0 win over city rivals Espanyol. Lionel Messi opened the scoring, before Luis Suarez bagged a brace, taking his league tally for the season to 37. Rafinha and Neymar added shine to the win as Barca seek to capture their second successive title.
Real Madrid were in a much-publicized crisis just a few months ago when Zinedine Zidane took over from Rafael Benitez. But Los Blancos can still win their first championship since 2012 after holding firm against Valencia 3-2. Karim Benzema scored for Real, while Cristiano Ronaldo popped in two goals to run his league tally to 33.
Zidane’s men reached the Champions League final this week, beating Manchester City and booking a date with hated city rivals Atletico on May 28 in Milan.
The league title comes down to next weekend. Barcelona will face Granada. Real Madrid are at Deportivo La Coruna and need to win and hope Barca don’t, if they are to claim their record 33rd league championship.
European hangover
Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid have no realistic chance at the title after losing 2-1 at relegated Levante.
Diego Simeone’s side were level on points with Barca before kickoff and led when Fernando Torres scored an opener after two minutes. But despite having nothing to play for, Levante leveled after half an hour. They then punished Atletico’s commitment to attack with Giuseppe Rossi scoring on the break in the 89th minute.
Atletico could still finish second in the league if Real lose at Granada and Atletico defeat Celta Vigo at home.
