LaLiga: Atlético's KO in Las Palmas brings the title closer to Barça

Atlético de Madrid buried its last hope of aspiring to the LaLiga 2024-25 title this Saturday. Diego Simeone's team fell in their visit to Las Palmas (1-0) thanks to a goal by Javi Muñoz in added time. With this, FC Barcelona is increasingly the leader and moves 10 points away from the 'colchoneros'.

Earlier, the azulgrana team completed another epic comeback against Celta in Montjuïc (4-3). The Galicians went 1-3 up thanks to Borja Iglesias' 'hat-trick'. However, with 28 minutes to play, Barça managed to equalize the actions just six minutes later.

The VAR, key for Barça to move further ahead in the lead

Goals from Dani Olmo and Raphinha (double) sealed the culé victory, also in added time with a penalty scored by the Brazilian. In both matches, the VAR was decisive, as the Las Palmas goal was validated thanks to the technology.

And it is that Javi Muñoz was enabled after taking advantage of an error by Le Normand in a long ball. In Montjuïc, Del Cerro Grande, from the VAR, warned Melero López of a clear foul on Olmo overlooked by the main referee.

In this way, Barça moves away in the lead of LaLiga. With only six matchdays to play (18 points), the culés are 7 points ahead of Real Madrid and 10 ahead of Atlético. 

The 'merengues' host Athletic Club this Sunday, with the obligation to win to keep their options of reaching the azulgrana team alive. For that match, Madrid will not have Kylian Mbappé, due to suspension.

The 'rojiblancos', on the other hand, although they no longer have more competitions to play, look dejected after falling against a rival in full fight for permanence. The Canarians temporarily left the relegation zone, waiting for what Alavés does this Sunday.

Barça will return to action in LaLiga this Tuesday

This Sunday, matchday 32 will continue with the matches Valladolid-Osasuna, Villarreal-Real Sociedad and Alavés-Sevilla. The matchday closes on Monday with Girona-Betis, but there will also be action during the week.

Barça will be at home on Tuesday against Mallorca (21:30 CEST), while Madrid must visit the always uncomfortable Getafe. Culés and 'merengues' have the Copa del Rey final ahead of them next Saturday the 26th at La Cartuja, where the first of the three most important titles of 2024-25 will be defined.