This was a memorable week for Real Madrid, as Carlo Ancelotti's side won ELCLASICO and reached the Champions League semi-finals. That, and all the rest of the week's Spanish football storylines, are discussed in detail below.
Real Madrid win a dramatic ELCLASICO to close in on the title
Real Madrid twice came from behind to defeat FC Barcelona 3-2 on Sunday night, a victory which puts them 11 points ahead of their rivals in the LALIGA EA SPORTS title race. Vinícius levelled shortly after an Andreas Christensen goal and Lucas Vázquez equalised shortly after a Fermín López goal, before Jude Bellingham pounced in stoppage time to make it a 3-2 Real Madrid victory in ELCLASICO. Los Blancos are now closing in on what would be a 36th Spanish championship.
Bellingham is still very much in the Pichichi race
Bellingham was the match-winner in ELCLASICO for the second time this season. That goal means the Englishman remains very much in the Pichichi race, as he is now on to 17 goals for the 2023/24 LALIGA EA SPORTS season, just one behind Girona FC's Artem Dovbyk and his 18 goals.
Girona FC confirm their first ever ticket to Europe
Girona FC will play in Europe next season. With their 4-1 victory over Cádiz CF in Matchday 32, it has been mathematically confirmed that Girona FC will finish inside the European qualification places, for the first time in the Catalan club's history. It is a magnificent achievement for Los Blanquivermells, although they'll keep fighting to make sure their first European appearance is in the Champions League and not any other competition.
Claudio Giráldez celebrates his new contract with a big win
RC Celta confirmed this past week that Claudio Giráldez will remain in his position as first-team coach, after being promoted into the role in March. He has signed a contract to remain in the Balaídos dugout until 2025 and then celebrated the extension with a 4-1 victory over UD Las Palmas.
Cádiz CF need something of a miracle to stay up
With Cádiz CF losing and RC Celta winning this past weekend, the gap between the 18th-placed Andalusians and 17th-placed Galicians is now six points. As such, Cádiz CF really need to start winning and will require a minor miracle if they are to avoid the drop.
Ayoze Pérez fires Real Betis into the European positions
Valencia CF vs Real Betis was a huge game in the race to qualify for Europe, and it was Los Verdiblancos who secured the three points on the road to leapfrog Valencia CF and move into seventh. Ayoze Pérez scored both of the goals in what was a 2-1 win for Real Betis, which puts them one point ahead of Valencia CF with six rounds left to play.
Two late wonder goals let Rayo Vallecano breathe a sigh of relief
Rayo Vallecano took a major step closer to safety on Saturday, coming from behind to defeat CA Osasuna 2-1. The team from Vallecas achieved the win thanks to two impressive long-range strikes in the final minutes of the game, one from Pep Chavarría and the winner from Isi Palazón.
Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club are just three points apart
There is a huge game coming up next weekend in the race to finish fourth in LALIGA EA SPORTS, as Atlético de Madrid will host Athletic Club at the Estadio Cítivas Metropolitano. Neither side had the result they wanted last weekend, as Atleti lost 2-0 away at Deportivo Alavés and Athletic Club drew 1-1 with Granada CF. That means the capital city side's lead over the Basques is just three points, so this will be a huge six-pointer next Saturday.
Sørloth has two reasons to celebrate
Villarreal CF defeated UD Almería 2-1 on Sunday, thanks to a 92nd minute goal from Alexander Sørloth. The Norwegian striker had two reasons to celebrate, as he was the match-winner but was also celebrating the birth of his daughter on the same day. The striker dedicated the goal to the newborn, before rushing back to be with his family.
Real Madrid reach the Champions League semi-finals yet again
The other big storyline from the past week came in the Champions League, where Real Madrid knocked out reigning champions Manchester City on penalties. That victory means the Spanish side have reached the semi-finals of the competition for the 12th time in the past 14 years, and will take on Bayern Munich in the final four.
