Spanish La Liga gameweek review

23 October, 2011 Guest Author

Here are the reviews of the important matches that took place in the Spanish La liga-

Atletico Madrid (1)- Real Mallorca (1)-

Atletico Madrid and Real Mallorca shared a penalty each in a 1-1 draw in La Liga at Estadio Vicente Calderon Stadium. Tomer Hemed’s penalty in the opening-minute was cancelled out by Radamel Falcao’s brilliant goal in the 43rd minute. Both the sides showed enough attacking endeavour to take all three points from the match. The start for the hosts was nightmarish as they conceded a goal within a minute of play when Hemed stepped up to slot home his fourth goal in just six games for Mallorca. Atletico were awarded a penalty just before the half time and Falcao stepped up to slot the ball past Dude Aouate. The introductions of Jose Antonio Reyes and Salvio helped to marginally increase Atletico’s attacking drive in the second half, but the teams still failed to create enough scoring opportunities as the match ended in a dull draw.

Real Madrid (4)- Malaga (0)-

Yet another Cristiano Ronaldo hattrick saw Real Madrid breeze past Malaga effortlessly in the match that took place in the Spanish Capital. Ronaldo struck three times in the first 14 minutes of the game and Higuain added the fourth for Madrid. Real literally tore Malaga apart in the first half as Higuain opening the scoring in the 11th minute and coach Jose Mourinho praised his side for their performance in their sixth straight win in all competitions. Malaga looked more competitive and intense in the second half but could not pull a goal back, with Real comfortably closing out a win that keeps up the pressure on arch rivals Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo was in his best for this season which was illustrated by his pacy runs and diagonal intrusions into the opposition penalty box. Ronaldo could have added a fourth goal to his tally in the second half, but his freekick was parried away by the Malaga custodian.

Image courtesy of-http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/messi-misses-penalty-ronaldo-hits-hattrick-as-real-take-over-at-top-20111023-1meb8.html

Sevilla (0)- Barcelona (0)-

Brilliant goalkeeping by Sevilla’s Javi Varas denied League leaders Barcelona a victory and a chance to move to the top of the La Liga standings. After Real Madrid’s 4-0 win at Malaga, Barcelona needed to win this match to retain their lead atop the La Liga table, but superb goalkeeping by man-of-the-match Javi Varas saw the defending champions fail to win at home for the first time this season. Barcelona were awarded a penalty when Federico Fazio tripped Iniesta inside the box. Federic Kanoute was sent off for striking Cesc Fabregas in a brawl after the penalty was awarded. But Lionel Messi’s penalty kick was saved by Varas. Sevilla ended up with 9 men as Fernando Navarro was sent off at the death for a rash tackle on Pedro. Varas saved the subsequent freekick by Messi to deny Barcelona a victory. Sevilla stay fourth after the draw and Barca second.