Sunday’s La Liga action featured an incredible first league win of the season for Almeria as Celta Vigo emerged victorious following Rafael Benitez’s exit.
Sevilla 1-2 Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo made the bold midweek decision to sack Benitez as they battle for La Liga survival this season.
B team manager Claudio Giraldez has stepped in to replace Benitez and he secured an immediate win on the road at Sevilla.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s early goal was a setback for the Galicians in Andalucia but the visitors rallied after the restart.
En-Nesyri with a typically clinical finish! 😎
Sevilla take the lead against Celta 👏 pic.twitter.com/nVLR6tThCp
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 17, 2024
Chances at both ends opened up the contest before Carles Perez smashed home a leveller for Celta.
What a hit that is from Carles Perez! 💥
Celta have been second best for most of this match but they're level with Sevilla once again 🔵 pic.twitter.com/fK1s1qxJp6
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 17, 2024
However, despite looking set to claim a scrappy point away from home, Celta struck late on for the win, via Jorgen Strand Larsen’s cute finish.
Las Palmas 0-1 Almeria
Almeria landed in Gran Canaria carrying their infamous run of poor form with 28 league games so far this season without a win.
However, 29 proved to be the magic number for the visitors, in a brilliant result for neutrals and Almeria fans as they face inevitable relegation.
Leo Baptistao popped up early on to fire the away side in front as they dared to dream of a change in fortune.
Almeria have FINALLY won! 🙌
In their 29th LALIGA match of the season, Almeria end their season-long winless streak with a 1-0 win away to Las Palmas 👏 pic.twitter.com/GQHyFxjrSt
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 17, 2024
Las Palmas missed a host of chances either side of the break, as Almeria dug in for three points, and fortune was on their side as the visitors defence held firm late on.
Villarreal 1-0 Valencia
Villarreal came out on top in a local derby with Valencia in Castellon with both sides still pushing for possible European qualification.
Chances flowed at both ends early on as Alex Baena was denied from the penalty spot before the break.
That openness continued after the restart before Jorge Cuenca nodded home the eventual winner for Villarreal.
Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Real Betis
Rayo Vallecano sealed just their second league win of 2024 as they overpowered Real Betis in Vallecas.
Rayo are likely to have enough in the tank to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle but this was three timely points for the home side.
Florian Lejeune’s free kick got the ball rolling before the break, to settle the home fans nerves, and Sergio Camello capped off the victory late on, to keep Rayo seven points above the drop zone.
What a free kick that is from Florian Lejeune! 🎯
Rayo go 1-0 up against Betis ⚪🔴 pic.twitter.com/9xSTbhVbCP
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 17, 2024
Images via Getty Images
