A 1-0 result leaves Real Madrid despairing with no hope for the title, La Liga standings: Barcelona leads by 9 points, Atletico suffers upset

On April 23 Beijing time, the matches of La Liga Round 32 commenced. In three closely watched games, Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Alaves, Elche upset Atletico with a 3-2 win, and Barcelona narrowly defeated Celta 1-0. Consequently, the latest La Liga standings emerged: Barcelona, with an 8-game winning streak and a 9-point lead, sits firmly atop the table, essentially securing the championship. Real Madrid remains second, while Atletico, enduring a 4-game losing streak, solidly holds fourth place.

Real Madrid versus Alaves. Having exited the Champions League early and trailing Barcelona significantly in the league with title hopes dim, Real Madrid faced relegation-threatened Alaves, ranked near the bottom. The match unfolded as an offensive battle, but Real Madrid displayed disorganized play, lacking cohesive teamwork, relying on individual brilliance from Mbappe and Vinicius to score and establish a 2-0 lead. However, in the second half, Real Madrid gradually faced increasing pressure from Alaves, though the opponent's finishing was poor, managing only a consolation goal during stoppage time. Ultimately, Real Madrid clinched a 2-1 win over Alaves, arduously securing three points.

Elche versus Atletico. Despite reaching the Champions League semifinals, Atletico had suffered a series of league defeats and aimed to rebound against low-ranked Elche. The first half saw an open, attacking contest with both teams efficiently converting two shots into two goals, resulting in a 2-2 draw. However, Atletico's Almada conceded a penalty and recklessly received a red card, forcing Atletico to play with ten men. In the second half, Elche dominated, besieging Atletico, with Andre Silva scoring twice to complete a brace, helping Elche upset Atletico 3-2. This handed Atletico a fourth consecutive loss while granting Elche crucial relegation-avoidance points. Currently, despite four straight defeats, Atletico's Champions League spot remains secure, likely as they conserve energy for the Champions League clash against Arsenal.

Barcelona versus Celta. Barcelona, already out of the Champions League, could focus solely on the league, maintaining a winning streak and firmly leading the table. This round's match against mid-table Celta posed challenges. The first half featured an open, fierce offensive exchange, with Barcelona gaining a lead via Yamal's penalty, though Yamal soon suffered an injury exit. In the second half, Barcelona's attacking potency diminished; despite controlling possession, they struggled to score, and Ferran's controversial goal was disallowed. Ultimately, Barcelona edged Celta 1-0 to claim three points, further consolidating their top position. This victory essentially dashed Real Madrid's title hopes, leaving them despairing.

By/ Sports Story