MADRID, May 17: Luis Suárez knew success wouldn’t come easy at Atlético Madrid. He didn’t expect it to be this hard, though.
Suárez came to the rescue for Atlético when its Spanish league title chances suddenly appeared to be slipping away on Sunday, scoring an 88th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory against Osasuna that moved the team a win away from claiming its first league title since 2014.
Atlético enters the final round two points in front of Real Madrid, which stayed in contention by winning 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao. Madrid has a better head-to-head tiebreaker against its city rival.
Barcelona dropped out of contention for the title after losing 2-1 to Celta Vigo at home.
Madrid scored against Athletic in the 68th minute, then Atlético conceded against Osasuna in the 75th. Instead of being in the position of celebrating its first league title in seven years, Atlético suddenly saw its city rival take control of the title race ahead of the final round.
Only a victory could have put Atlético back in control of its own fate, and Diego Simeone’s team got it after Renan Lodi scored from inside the area in the 82nd and Suárez netted the winner with a low shot from near the penalty spot a few minutes from the end. It was the 20th league goal for Suárez, who has been key for Atlético the entire season after being let go by Barcelona.
Atlético, which squandered several chances throughout the match, can clinch the title against relegation-threatened Valladolid in the final round. Madrid will host seventh-place Villarreal hoping for a stumble by its rival.
Madrid took the title race to the final round thanks to its win against midtable Athletic at San Mamés Stadium.
Defender Nacho Fernández scored the winner from close range in the 68th after a pass from Casemiro.
Barcelona’s home loss comes in another disappointing season for the club in which it only lifted the Copa del Rey. Messi scored his league-leading 30th goal with a 28th-minute header at the Camp Nou, but Santi Mina equalized in the 38th and netted the winner in the 89th. Barcelona played a man down from the 83rd after defender Clément Lenglet was sent off.
Fans were back for the first time in two stadiums in Spanish regions where the coronavirus pandemic is considered to be more under control. It didn’t take long for Valencia supporters to celebrate at Mestalla Stadium as Gonçalo Guedes scored for the host team three minutes into the 4-1 win against last-place Eibar.
There were also fans at Villarreal’s home game against Sevilla, which it won 4-0.
Real Sociedad stayed in position to secure a Europa League spot with a comfortable 4-1 win over Valladolid. That left the club in fifth place. (AP)
