Atletico Madrid‘s bid to be crowned Primera Division champions for the first time since 1996 suffered a major blow as they were beaten 2-0 at mid-table Levante, a result that gives fresh hope to title rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid.
GettyImagesAtletico Madrid’s forward David Villa reacts as Levante go ahead.
Following Barca’s surprise 2-2 home draw with Getafe on Saturday, leaders Atletico knew if they won their next two games against Levante and Malaga they would clinch the title ahead of their last-day meeting with the defending champions.
However, an early own goal from Filipe Luis saw Atletico fall behind at the Ciutat de Valencia and then David Barral added a decisive second for Levante midway through the second half.
Diego Simeone’s men pushed hard to try and get something back in the closing stages but they could find no way through to leave Barca and Real Madrid celebrating an unexpected boost in the title race.
Ramon Azeez’s late header claimed three much-needed points as 10-man Almeria moved out of the relegation zone following a 3-2 victory over Real Betis
Oscar Diaz and Aleix Vidal were also on target in a topsy-turvy second half at Juegos Mediterraneos, in which Suso was sent off 10 minutes after the break as Francisco Rodriguez’s side moved up to 16th in the Primera Division with two matches remaining.
Already relegated Betis scored a second-half equaliser through Braian Rodriguez and then Salva Sevilla handed them a temporary lead before the home side struck back.
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