La Liga round-up: Real Sociedad miss chance to move closer to Atletico Madrid
Sunday 19 February 2017 23:46, UK
Real Sociedad missed the chance to move closer to Atletico Madrid and the Champions League places after they were beaten by Villarreal on Sunday in a battle of fifth against sixth.
A disappointing contest was won in the 90th minute by Villarreal's Samu Castillejo, who converted Jaume Costa's cross to seal a first victory in four matches for Fran Escriba's side.
It means Sociedad remain fifth and four points adrift of Atletico, while they are now only two ahead of Villarreal.
At the opposite end of the table, Valencia snatched a much-needed 2-0 victory against eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao to steer seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Former Manchester United winger Nani opened the scoring before Simone Zaza added a second on the stroke of half-time.
There was no such respite for bottom-side Osasuna, however, who lost 3-0 at Celta Vigo.
Pione Sisto, Iago Aspas and Jozabed were all amongst the goals as Celta Vigo climbed up to ninth. Osasuna sit eight points adrift of safety.
Barcelona needed Lionel Messi's last-gasp penalty to beat struggling Leganes 2-1 as the Catalans issued an unconvincing response to their Champions League hammering against Paris Saint-Germain.
