The football season is drawing to a close at a rapid pace. Some matters have been all but decided for a few weeks now. Others will go to the wire.
Yet when the news came through that Barcelona manager Hansi Flick had lost his father on the eve of the final El Clasico of the La Liga campaign, the contest – even if only momentarily – seemed of far less importance.
Certainly, it puts matters into perspective and the tributes from both his own club, Barcelona, and arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday night were touching as a minute’s silence was observed before kick-off and players wore black armbands during the game.
Flick was well aware though that, amidst personal heartache, there was a title to be won and that a point would be enough to deliver back-to-back La Liga titles and endure Los Blancos would end the season empty handed.
His players did not let him down as, first, Marcus Rashford, bent a delicious free-kick past Thibaut Courtois (no less) after just nine minutes before another stunner from Ferran Torres just nine minutes later had the Catalan faithful in raptures.
Barcelona scored 102 league goals en route to winning the La Liga title convincingly last season and have three matches remaining to score the 11 to match that tally.
That matters not – they have been runaway winners again – and that their coronation came against Real was most fitting.
As for Real, what a foolish decision they made in January – it’s all been said before – and has cost them, just as SBOTOP predicted: the damage will be done sooner rather than later.
While the Sunday evening game naturally took centre stage over the weekend, the other issues at stake were arguably more telling (Barca were only a matter of time away from regaining the crown, regardless of the outcome of Sunday night’s encounter).
A most dramatic outcome came on Friday night where relegation-threatened Levante were 2-0 down at home to Osasuna just 11 minutes in.
What followed will give them a massive lift ahead of their final three games of the season.
Two goals in three minutes from Victor Garcia had already levelled up for the hosts before the break and the dismissal of Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, on the stroke of half-time for handling outside the penalty area, was a massive turning point.
Surely this was Levante’s chance to produce some potentially crucial La Liga 2026 highlights?
Well, it took until the 90th minute for the winning goal to arrive but when substitute Karl Etta Eyong found the net, last season’s La Liga 1 champions had fresh hope.
Their second victory in six is not enough to move them out of the bottom three but they have given themselves hope.
They are now a point behind Alaves who drew 1-1 at Elche. Though given that just four points separate the sides from 13th to 19th, perhaps the draw is the ideal result for them.
After a goalless first half, Toni Martinez fired the visitors in front from the penalty spot but they were denied victory when Alvaro Rodriguez netted an equaliser for Eder Sarabia’s side.
Another battle between sides looking to beat the drop also looked set to end level until Sevilla’s late show at home to Espanyol.
All was quiet at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan when Tyrhys Dolan fired the visitors in front eight minutes after the restart.
But Andres Castrin levelled brings up eight minutes before the end and then, when Akor Adams scored the winning goal in stoppage time, it sparked crazy scenes among the home supporters.
By contrast, it is a very subdued end to the season in the Spanish capital.
Less than a month ago. Atletico Madrid had a Copa del Rey final and a two-legged Champions League semi-final to look forward to.
The upshot is they are now going to end empty handed and will probably have to settle for fourth spot.
A 1-0 reverse at home to Celta Vigo spoke of a European hangover as a deft lob from Borja Iglesias’ just after the hour mark proved the only goal of the contest and keeps them on course for more European football next term.
It also closed the gap on fifth place Real Betis who were pegged back in San Sebastian. Goals either side of half time from Antony and Ez Abde had Manuel Pellegrini’s side in a comfortable position, but late goals from Orri Oskarrson and Mikel Oyarzabal ensured a point for Real Sociedad, who will have to settle for a place in the Europa League as they can no longer finish in the top five.
Mallorca’s draw at home to third place Villarreal has kept them two points clear of the drop zone, while relegated Real Oviedo deserve some kudos for holding Getafe to a goalless draw, despite playing most of the second half with 10 men and some of it with nine.
That result shows just how tight it is in the middle section of La Liga with Getafe – managed by Jose Bordalas, who has consistently kept them punching above their weight on a shoestring budget – currently seventh and holding onto the final available European berth in the table, only eight points ahead of Alaves who are in 18th spot and in the bottom three.
Three weekends left and still plenty to play for – aside from at the very top, of course!
Take a glimpse at the SBOTOP La Liga 2026 betting odds before you make your next move.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
