Football

In a weekend of missed opportunities, both Girona and Barcelona failed to capitalize on Real Madrid's draw against Valencia, surrendering points in their respective matches.Girona, who had a chance to regain ground on the league leaders, succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Mallorca. The hosts took the lead in the 33rd minute through Jose-Manuel Copete, and Girona's struggles continued as they failed to score for the third time in five games.Barcelona, aiming to move into second place, were held to a goalless draw by Bilbao. The match lacked intensity, and Barcelona suffered potential injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, tightened their grip on fourth place with a 2-1 victory over Betis. Memphis Depay's cross deflected into the Betis net for an early lead, and Alvaro Morata added a second before halftime. Betis pulled one back through William Carvalho, but Atletico held on for the win.In other matches, Villarreal crushed Granada 5-1, with Alexander Sorloth scoring a hat-trick.

Vinicius Junior's brace rescued Real Madrid from a potential defeat, salvaging a 2-2 draw against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday. The hosts stunned the visitors with two goals in quick succession during the first half. Hugo Duro headed in Fran Perez's shot, while Roman Yarermchuk capitalized on Dani Carvajal's loose pass to score into an empty net.Vinicius ignited Madrid's comeback just before halftime, reducing the deficit with a close-range finish. He completed his brace in the 76th minute, heading home from close range to level the score. The match remained a thrilling affair until the final whistle, with both teams pushing for a winner.In a dramatic climax, Jude Bellingham thought he had secured victory for Valencia with a header in the dying moments. However, the referee blew the whistle for full-time before the cross entered the box, nullifying the goal. Madrid players protested vehemently, but the decision stood. Amid the chaos, Bellingham was shown a red card for his protests.Vinicius' return to the Mestalla was marked by a hostile reception from the home fans. He was racially abused last season at the same stadium, and on Sunday, he faced chants of "Vinicius is stupid" and constant booing.In response, Vinicius celebrated his first goal by raising his fist towards the Valencia fans. After his equalizer, he cupped his ears, seemingly asking for more from the jeering crowd.Despite the adversity, Vinicius remained unfazed and played a pivotal role in Madrid's comeback. His performance underlined his resilience and determination, proving that he is not easily deterred by hostile environments.Madrid's draw maintains their seven-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings. They are now nine points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has declared that his team is entering a "moment of truth" as they prepare for crucial matches in La Liga and the Champions League. The Catalan giants have enjoyed a resurgence in form, winning six consecutive matches in all competitions.Xavi's comments come after a turbulent period for Barcelona, who were written off as title contenders following a string of poor results in January. However, the team has since turned things around, with Xavi crediting the players' improved performances and positive mindset."We are much better than a few matches ago," Xavi said. "We have good feelings and this is the moment of truth. To measure ourselves against direct rivals as the Champions League approaches, this is the decisive moment."Barcelona currently trail league leaders Real Madrid by eight points, but have a game in hand. A victory at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday would be a significant step towards closing the gap. Athletic Bilbao, who are undefeated at home this season, will provide a stern test for Xavi's side."If we win, it'll be a big step forward," Xavi said. "We need to find the continuity in our game which we are lacking."Xavi also addressed speculation about his future, stating that his focus remains on the present. "Today nothing has changed, it's not an issue," he said.Barcelona's resurgence has been built on a solid defensive foundation and a more attacking approach in midfield. Pedri and Gavi have been instrumental in the team's recent success, providing creativity and energy in the center of the park.Robert Lewandowski continues to be a potent threat in front of goal, having scored 25 goals in all competitions this season. The Polish striker will be looking to add to his tally against Athletic Bilbao.With the Champions League knockout stages approaching, Barcelona will be eager to maintain their momentum. They will host Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie on March 15, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

In a thrilling encounter at San Mamés, Athletic Bilbao defeated Girona 3-2, halting the Catalans' impressive unbeaten streak and serving as a reality check for their lofty LaLiga title aspirations. Girona, who had been the season's early pacesetters, had gone 15 league games without a loss before suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid nine days prior. Their recent struggles continued, with only one win in their last five games across all competitions, leaving them vulnerable to being overtaken by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the standings.The match began with Athletic Bilbao dominating possession and dictating the tempo. Their dominance paid off early when Alex Berenguer intercepted a pass from Aleix Garcia and slotted the ball past Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga in just the second minute. Despite their early advantage, Athletic Bilbao missed several chances to extend their lead, including a glaring miss from close range by Inaki Williams in the seventh minute.Girona showed resilience and managed to equalize in the 49th minute through Viktor Tsyhankov, who tapped in a cross from Ivan Martin. However, Athletic Bilbao regained the lead seven minutes later when Berenguer struck again, this time with a composed finish. Williams then extended their advantage in the 60th minute, capitalizing on another Girona defensive error.Girona refused to give up and pulled one back in the 75th minute through Eric Garcia, who converted a free kick from Aleix Garcia. Despite their late push, Athletic Bilbao held on to secure their seventh consecutive home win, keeping their hopes of a top-four finish and a place in next season's Champions League alive.After the match, Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams expressed his pride in the team's performance and emphasized the importance of looking up and continuing to dream. The result was a significant setback for Girona, who now face an uphill battle to maintain their position in the top three.