FC Barcelona are again sole leaders in the Spanish league thanks to Ousmane Dembele and Real Madrid’s blunder.
Even without top scorer Robert Lewandowski, FC Barcelona used the blunder of their eternal rival Real Madrid and extended the lead in the table in front of the royal team. The Catalans won the top game of the Spanish La Liga at Atletico Madrid 1-0 (1-0). French vice world champion Ousmane Dembele (22nd) scored the goal of the day.
Barca are now three points clear of Real after 16 matchdays. Lewandowski was suspended from coach Xavi’s team, and national goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has kept a clean sheet for the twelfth time this season. In the closing stages, Atletico’s Stefan Savic and Barcelona’s Ferran Torres were both sent off after a fierce scuffle (90′ + 2′).
Mendy fails, Pino scores – Real loses
Already on Saturday, the “Royal” with international Antonio Rüdiger and Toni Kroos in the starting XI had earned with 1: 2 (0: 0) at FC Villarreal lost.
Villarreal, who celebrated their third straight league success and underscored their ambitions in the fight for Champions League places, dominated the first half without finding success. Shortly after the break, however, Yeremi Pino finally punished a major mistake by Ferland Mendy and gave the hosts the lead (47th).
Alaba causes penalty
Ballon-d’OrWinner Karim Benzema hit back with a hand penalty (60′), but Gerard Moreno also used a hand penalty a little later to score the winning goal (63′). Ex-Munich David Alaba had previously slipped and caused the penalty in a strange way.
Real’s blunder gives leaders FC Barcelona a chance to go three points clear in Sunday’s top game at Atletico Madrid.