Atletico Madrid capitalized on the missteps of Real Sociedad and moved closer in the table to Imanol Alguacil’s squad, as La Liga Santander entered its 22nd round. The Madrid club had six league fixtures without a loss, and the win at the Metropolitano trimmed the gap to Real Sociedad to just two points, keeping the title race tight and the top four battle fiercely competitive. The capital club showed resilience and improved pressure in the final stretch, turning a period of scrutiny into tangible momentum that fans had craved after a tough spell earlier in the campaign.
Meanwhile, the leaders showcased their consistency with wins for Barcelona and Real Madrid, who each collected three points to stay ahead at the summit. Barcelona continued their formidable run and Real Madrid reinforced their position by grabbing a convincing victory away from home. The day also featured Cadiz and Osasuna bouncing back with competitive performances, each keeping the pursuit of the European spots honest. Cadiz faced a tough night as they found it difficult to withstand the attacking intent of the opposition, while Osasuna demonstrated a steady defensive discipline that kept them in the conversation for a late-season surge.
In another notable result, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla settled for a 1-1 draw. Sergi Darder’s late goal pulled Espanyol closer to the relegation zone, but the fight to move away from the bottom remained intense for several teams near the drop. Elche slipped to a loss as their relegation concerns intensified, highlighting how every point matters in the final third of the season. The clash underscored the thin margins that separate mid-table stability from a fight to avoid the drop, with teams needing consistency to gain ground in the standings.
LaLiga classification (matchday 22)
- Barcelona (59)
- Real Madrid (51)
- Real Sociedad (43)
- Atlético Madrid (41)
- Real Betis (37)
- Rayo Vallecano (34)
- Athletic Club (32)
- RCD Mallorca (31)
- Villarreal (31)
- Osasuna (30)
- Girona (27)
- Sevilla (25)
- Valladolid (24)
- Real Valladolid (24)
- Vigo Celta (24)
- Cadiz (22)
- Valencia (20)
- Getafe (19)
- Elche (9)