Barcelona continued their dominance in La Liga with a crucial 2-0 win against Las Palmas on Saturday, ensuring they remained atop the standings.
Dani Olmo broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a stunning strike inside the penalty area. After receiving a well-timed pass from Lamine Yamal, Olmo swiftly cut inside, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net.
The Catalan giants sealed their victory in stoppage time, thanks to Ferran Torres. After narrowly missing a shot over the bar, Torres made no mistake moments later, firing a precise finish to double Barcelona’s advantage in the dying seconds of the game.
Drama unfolded in the final minutes when VAR intervened to review a potential penalty against Barcelona due to a handball by Eric García. However, referee Adrián Cordero Vega overturned the decision after reviewing the footage, citing an offside infringement in the buildup.
“There’s no pressure. We know our fate is in our hands,” Olmo remarked post-match. “I’m happy to be back and contribute to the team’s success.”
With this victory, Barcelona sits at the top of La Liga with 54 points, one ahead of Atlético Madrid, who secured a 3-0 win over Valencia earlier in the day. Real Madrid, currently in third place with 51 points, awaits a decisive home clash against Girona. Meanwhile, Las Palmas, who had stunned Barcelona with a 2-1 win earlier this season, now find themselves in 17th place with 23 points.
Barcelona will now shift focus to their upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid, aiming to continue their momentum.
Álvarez Shines as Atlético Madrid Dominates Valencia
Julián Álvarez delivered an exceptional performance, scoring twice in the opening 30 minutes to propel Atlético Madrid to a commanding 3-0 win over Valencia at Mestalla.
The Argentine forward showcased his sharp finishing skills, striking in the 12th minute before doubling the lead with a well-placed header in the 30th minute. Ángel Correa later sealed the victory in the 86th minute with a low-driven shot into the bottom corner.
“The key was securing the win to stay competitive,” Álvarez commented. “It was a tough game, but taking home three points is what matters.”
This victory temporarily placed Atlético Madrid at the top with 53 points, but Barcelona reclaimed the lead with their win against Las Palmas.
With nine league goals this season, Álvarez has matched his previous season’s tally with Manchester City. His remarkable form continues to strengthen Atlético’s attacking force alongside Antoine Griezmann, who provided key assists in both goals.
Looking ahead, Atlético Madrid faces a challenging run of fixtures, including a Champions League clash with Real Madrid, a Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona, and crucial league encounters against Athletic Bilbao, Getafe, and Barcelona.
