Villarreal hold third into FIFA break after ideal matchday | OneFootball

El Periódico Mediterráneo reports that Villarreal head into the FIFA break third in LaLiga after an ideal 29th matchday.

They are closing in on back-to-back Champions League qualification for the first time in their history. It appears fifth place will again offer a Champions League berth, as this season, with both third and fourth in Villarreal’s hands and the team currently sitting third.

Victory over Real Sociedad on Friday put them on 58 points and up to third. They stay there after Real Madrid won the Madrid derby against Atlético, who are fourth on 57.

Focus then shifted to nearest chasers Real Betis and Celta, and both were beaten. At San Mamés, Athletic defeated Betis 2-1, with Dani Vivian and Sancet scoring before the break. A fine Pablo Fornals free-kick could not prevent a fifth straight league game without a win, and Betis are fifth, 14 points back.

The shock came in Vigo, where Celta lost 3-4 to Alavés after leading 3-0 at half-time. Celta are sixth, 17 points adrift. It was Quique Sánchez Flores’s first victory in charge of the Vitoria side.

Elsewhere, Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 thanks to Araujo. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said it was the right moment to take four goalkeepers and that the quartet could be among the three who go to the World Cup. He justified calling up Joan García alongside his three regular keepers, and two days later Barcelona’s goalkeeper backed up that stance.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo