The Primera Division title race will go to the final day after Barcelona and Real Madrid both won yesterday, but Atletico Madrid’s challenge is over.
The penultimate round of fixtures began with Barca and Atletico level on 85 points at the top with Real Madrid just a point back, but Luis Enrique’s men could have clinched the championship if results had gone their way due to their superior head-to-head record over both capital clubs this term.
Barcelona did their job, thrashing city rivals Espanyol 5-0, but Real Madrid ensured the champagne would remain on ice at the Nou Camp by beating Valencia 3-2 to record their 11th successive Primera Division win.
That means defending champions Barca will go into their final match at Granada still boasting a one-point lead over bitter rivals Real, who travel to Deportivo La Coruna.
However, Atletico Madrid – who will face Real Madrid in the Champions League final later this month – are now out of it after they were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at relegated Levante.
Fernando Torres gave Atletico an early lead but Victor’s equaliser and Giuseppe Rossi’s late breakaway goal at the Ciutat de Valencia means 2014 champions Atletico now cannot overhaul Barca.
For Barcelona, one more win will now guarantee them a sixth title in eight years following their drubbing of Espanyol.
Lionel Messi’s eighth-minute free-kick was all that separated the teams at the break, but a brace from Luis Suarez plus strikes from Rafinha and Neymar in the second half ensured Barca of an eighth successive derby win at the Nou Camp – with a combined 26-2 scoreline.
Real Madrid also picked up three points, but had a much tougher time of it against Valencia.
Two Cristiano Ronaldo goals either side of a Karim Benzema goal earned Zinedine Zidane’s men the win, but they were made to sweat by strikes from Rodrigo – who was sent off late on – and Andre Gomes.
Results
Barcelona vs Espanyol - 5-0
Celta Vigo vs Malaga - 1-0
Eibar vs Real Betis - 1-1
Getafe vs Sporting Gijon - 1-1
Las Palmas vs Athletic Bilbao - 0-0
Levante vs Atletico Madrid - 2-1
Real Madrid vs Valencia - 3-2
R. Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano - 2-1
Sevilla vs Granada - 1-4
Villarreal vs Deportivo - 0-2
Standings: Barcelona 88; R. Madrid 87; Atl. Madrid 85; Villarreal 64; Celta Vigo 60; Ath. Bilbao 59; Sevilla 52; Malaga, Real Sociedad 45; Las Palmas, Valencia 44; Eibar 43; Deportivo, Real Betis 42; Espanyol 40; Granada 39; Getafe, Sporting Gijon 36; R. Vallecano 35; Levante 32.