Atletico de Madrid's Mario Hermoso reacts during a Spanish first division league football match between Atletico de Madrid and Valencia CF in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 22, 2021. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
MADRID, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sevilla fought back from 2-0 down at home to Celta Vigo to salvage a point, but nevertheless dropped two points in their pursuit of LaLiga leaders, Real Madrid on Saturday.
Missing several players to injury and international duty, Sevilla were hit by two goals in three minutes as Franco Cervi and Iago Aspas put Celta 2-0 up in the 36th and 39th minute.
Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui brought Papu Gomez and Oliver Torres on at halftime and they turned out to be inspired changes as Gomez pulled a goal back from outside of the area in the 71st minute and Torres netted the equalizer in the 74th minute.
Torres hit the bottom of the post in the closing minutes, but the score refused to move again and Real Madrid will move six points clear if they win at home to Elche on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid looked to be headed to another defeat as they trailed to goals from Yunus Musa and Hugo Duro at halftime at home to Valencia, but a second half fightback began with Matheus Cunha scored for Atletico in the 63rd minute.
Valencia were still on track for three points, but Angel Correa leveled in the 90th minute after Jordi Domenech failed to hold Carrasco's cross and Mario Hermoso netted a dramatic winner for Atletico just two minutes later.
Villarreal enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Mallorca thanks to a Franco Russo own goal, along with a 34nd minute strike from Manu Trigueros and a late Dani Parejo penalty.
Cadiz gave their survival hopes a huge boost as goals from Alvaro Negredo and Salvi gave them a 2-0 win away to Levante, who remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table after the defeat.
Betis ensured they remain third on Friday night with a 4-1 win away to Espanyol. The home side took the lead through top scorer Raul de Tomas, but Betis fought back quickly with a Borja Iglesias penalty and Guido Rodriguez put Betis ahead with a powerful header from a corner.
Iglesias added a second against his former club early in the second half and Willian Jose rounded off the scoring and it got worse for Espanyol when De Tomas was sent off after seeing two yellow cards. ■
Atletico de Madrid's Luis Suarez (R) vies with Valencia's goalkeeper Jaume Domenech during a Spanish first division league football match between Atletico de Madrid and Valencia CF in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 22, 2021. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Atletico de Madrid's Felipe Augusto (top R) vies with Valencia's goalkeeper Jaume Domenech (top L) during a Spanish first division league football match between Atletico de Madrid and Valencia CF in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 22, 2021. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
