Atlético Madrid has given up a 0-3 lead in an almost unbelievable way. Los Colchoneros came thanks to Saúl Ñíguez, Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco to 0-3 at Espanyol, which came back into the game in an admirable way: 3-3. Due to the draw, Atlético has to give up second place to Real Madrid, which earlier on Wednesday evening dealt with Rayo Vallecano (2-1). For number nineteen Espanyol, the point can prove to be of great value, although it is bad with two games to go. Real Valladolid, Cádiz and Getafe have three points more. The latter team won at the same time at Real Betis (0-1).
Atlético broke the spell after more than twenty minutes of play. Mario Hermoso had a razor-sharp through ball on Saúl, who initially seemed to get stuck. However, he still found some space and hit the inside of the post with his left: 0-1. Just before the break, Atlético took the lead in a curious way. A cunning shot from Saúl was turned by Fernando Pacheco, who saw Yannick Carrasco hit the inside of the post on the rebound. The next rebound was for Griezmann, who seemed to hit the mark. However, Pacheco was also quick, so it was questionable whether the ball had crossed the line. The VAR finally gave a definite answer: 0-2.
Is it sitting or not? ?? It cannot be seen with the naked eye, but the referee gives a goal to Atlético: 2-0! ??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #EspanyolAtletico pic.twitter.com/n70gP7Labm
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 24, 2023
The game seemed to be decided very soon after the break. Exactly fourteen seconds after the break, Carrasco made it 0-3, taking advantage of the weak defensive organization at Espanyol. However, Espanyol did not give up and continued to fight. It led to César Montes’ 1-3 after just over an hour of play. The Mexican nodded hard from a corner kick. Nahuel Molina thought to take the margin back to three, but he hit the post.
And there is the equalizer! ?? Espanyol fans don’t know what they are going through.. their team fights back from a 3-0 deficit to 3-3??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #EspanyolAtletico pic.twitter.com/9JSbvTT0v8
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 24, 2023
Espanyol’s fanatical supporters continued to believe in a result and that only increased after the 2-3. Atlético goalkeeper Ivo Grbic knocked down Javi Puado, leading to a penalty kick. Joselu got behind the ball and did not fail: 2-3. The 3-3 came ten minutes before time. This time Vinícius Souza was the celebrated man with a nice header. Joselu failed to make it 4-3 in the end, by aiming precisely at Grbic in complete freedom.
| No. | Team | m | W | G | v | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 36 | 27 | 4 | 5 | 48 | 85 |
| 2 | RealMadrid | 36 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 38 | 74 |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | 36 | 22 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 73 |
| 4 | real society | 36 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 68 |
| 5 | Villarreal | 36 | 19 | 6 | 11 | 20 | 63 |
| 6 | RealBetis | 36 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 56 |
| 7 | Athletic Club | 35 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 50 |
| 8 | Girona | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 49 |
| 9 | Seville | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | -5 | 49 |
| 10 | Osasuna | 35 | 13 | 8 | 14 | -7 | 47 |
| 11 | Rayo Vallecano | 36 | 12 | 10 | 14 | -6 | 46 |
| 12 | Real Majorca | 35 | 12 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 44 |
| 13 | valencia | 35 | 11 | 7 | 17 | -2 | 40 |
| 14 | Celta de Vigo | 36 | 10 | 10 | 16 | -10 | 40 |
| 15 | Almeria | 36 | 11 | 6 | 19 | -16 | 39 |
| 16 | Getafe | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | -12 | 38 |
| 17 | Cadiz | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | -24 | 38 |
| 18 | Real Valladolid | 36 | 11 | 5 | 20 | -30 | 38 |
| 19 | Espanyol | 36 | 8 | 11 | 17 | -17 | 35 |
| 20 | Elche | 36 | 4 | 9 | 23 | -38 | 21 |