La Liga: Late penalties give Barca win, Atletico hit form

FC Barcelona secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo, with Robert Lewandowski converting a retaken 97th-minute penalty. The win was a vital one for Barcelona, thanks to Lewandowski’s heroics.

Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barca in the 44th minute with a well-taken right-foot shot, but Celta Vigo quickly equalized with Iago Aspas’ deflected effort at the start of the second half. The match took a dramatic turn in the 92nd minute when Barca were awarded a penalty after Fran Beltran fouled Lamine Yamal in the box. Although Celta keeper Vicente Guaita saved Lewandowski’s initial spot kick, the VAR showed the keeper had moved off his line, giving Lewandowski the opportunity to score from the retaken penalty and secure the win for Barca.

In another match, Atletico Madrid cruised to a 5-0 victory over Las Palmas, with Manuel Llorente and Angel Correa both scoring two goals each. Llorente found the net in the 14th and 19th minute, with Correa assisting the first goal and Llorente capitalizing on a defensive error for the second. Correa added to the scoreline with a goal in the opening minute of the second half and a penalty in the 61st minute, before Memphis Depay sealed the win with a goal four minutes from time.

Valencia dominated at home to Sevilla, but were unable to beat visiting keeper, Orjan Nyland, who made several brilliant saves to help his side continue to edge away from the relegation zone. Cadiz remained winless since September 1 and have gone five games without a goal. The round of matches began on Friday night with a 1-1 draw between Villarreal and Getafe.

Overall, it was an eventful round of La Liga matches, with FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid securing impressive victories. The results have significant implications for the league table, and the race for the title and European qualification spots continues to heat up.