With this match-day in La Liga, the defending champions leapfrog Betis in the standings and into the Champions League spots. Atletico Madrid is presently level on points with Barcelona despite playing one more game than the Catalans.
Barcelona is on third, tied on counts with Atletico Madrid on fourth, however having completed one fewer game. With sluggish Sevilla only seven points clear, they both may enhance their prospects of securing second.
Atletico’s success over Betis was especially vital because Betis began the game in third place and seemed to be the most probable prospect to upset the entrenched top four. With a 4-1 win against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid are currently ruling the points table.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid re-entered La Liga’s top four on Sunday, with Barcelona requiring a late penalty to edge Elche 2-1 and Atletico beating Real Betis 3-1 at the Benito Villamarin.
📈 @FCBarcelona and @atletienglish take giant strides towards securing their places in the top 4!
🌟 #LaLigaSantander 🌟 pic.twitter.com/s3rMNDsDwM
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) March 6, 2022
The home club Elche pushed well and trailed at halftime, so Xavi Hernandez’s squad had to throw out all the levers to return from a deficit and eventually seal a win. Fidel Chaves pulled the hosts ahead just before halftime. Ferran Torres evened up for the visitors at the hour mark of the game. Dembele delivered the cross, Jordi Alba created the play, and Torres swept the ball across the line.
The winner was determined on the spot in the end. Elche’s Antonio Barragan had the displeasure of catching the shot on his shoulder, but it was a penalty, and Memphis Depay rocketed it into the top of the net.
Now at Benito Villamarin, a brace by Joao Felix and a single from Lemar secured Atletico Madrid 3 points in a dramatic match against Real Betis. Joao Felix netted off a pass from Angel Correa in the second minute of action to put the visiting ahead. Nevertheless, in first-half stoppage time, Betis retrieved a ball on the fringe of the box, and Cristian Tello passed Oblak to draw the game level. De Paul got Marcos Llorente on the move with half an hour left on the clock, and the Portuguese national set up Joao Felix, who regained Atleti’s lead. With opportunities from Joao Felix and Griezmann, the guests could have extended their lead, but it was Thomas Lemar who clinched the game with a goal in the 80th minute.
This is the first moment Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have been in the same La Liga Champions League qualifier zone since August. Since lifting the title the previous season, Atletico has suffered for sturdiness and regularity, while Barcelona is still recuperating from an economic meltdown and the absence of Lionel Messi.
Nevertheless, both teams will be growing in the conviction that they can now attain their bare minimum, which would be to prevent falling out on the Champions League following season and the financial repercussions that would incur.