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Isco the star as Madrid claim late win, while Barca hang on against Real Sociedad

Xinhua, April 16, 2017 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid midfielder Isco produced one of the best individual displays of the season to ensure his side took all three points from their trip to struggling Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Madrid had to twice come from behind against a rival battling to avoid relegation, with Duje Cop and then Mikel Vesga giving them the lead in the 14th and 49th minutes.

However, Isco's first goal, a curling shot after he beat two players in the penalty area, and a header from Alvaro Morata 10 minutes after Vesga's goal twice drew the scores level.

The game still looked to be heading for a draw and the 90 minutes were just seconds away when Isco won the game for the league leaders with a low drive which went in off the inside of the post.

Barcelona remain three points behind Madrid with an extra game played, but convinced nobody they are going to be able to overhaul that lead despite a 3-2 win over Real Sociedad.

Leo Messi put Barca 2-0 up within 37 minutes, but a crazy end to the first half saw Samuel Umtiti deflect an Inigo Martinez shot into the Barca goal before Paco Alcacer netted Barca's third, only for Xabi Prieto to make it 3-2 before the break.

Barca disappeared as a footballing unit at times in the second half as Real Sociedad threatened to overrun them, however, a combination of poor finishing and bad luck somehow saw Barca hang on for a win they scarcely deserved.

Atletico Madrid strengthened their grip on third place with a routine 3-0 win at home to Osasuna, thanks to two goals from Yannick Carrasco and Felipe Luis against a rival who failed to muster a shot on target.

The anecdote of the game were two late penalty saves from Osasuna keeper Salvatore Sirigu, who denied Carrasco's hat-trick and then stopped a second penalty from Thomas Partey to prevent Atletico winning by a bigger margin.

The day kicked off with second half goals from Joselu and Pedro Mosquera giving Deportivo la Coruna a win to lift them well clear of the relegation zone and just about assure their place in the Primera Liga next season.

Meanwhile Friday night saw Athletic Club Bilbao enjoy a comfortable 5-1 win at home to Las Palmas with two goals each from Aritz Aduriz and Iker Muniain adding two goals each after Mike San Jose's early opener. Endit