MADRID (AP) — Sevilla lifted their spirits with a 2-0 win at home to Mallorca on Saturday to climb out of Spain’s La Liga relegation zone.
A few hours later, the story was not so sweet for Valencia, who stagnated in the box which would condemn him to give up his place in the top flight after losing in front of his supporters 2-1 with Athletic Bilbao.
Youssef En-Nesyri and Bryan Gil converted the Andalusian team’s goals to take a breather by climbing to 12th position with 24 points, far from leader Barcelona (53), who will play their 21st day against Villarreal this Sunday.
The Mallorca of Mexican strategist Javier Aguirre had arrived in the best mood after beating Real Madrid (1-0) the day before, but now he took the knockout with the one who remains in 10th position with 28 units.
En-Nesyri opened the scoring after 28 minutes after taking advantage of a long pass from José Gueye. At 40, Gil pushed the ball finished by Jesús Navas into the net, which the defenders could not clear to reach the other winning goal.
VALENCE, ON THE SLIDE
Nico Williams (30) and Oihan Sancet (72) completed the goals with which Athletic Bilbao beat Valencia 2-1 at home, who had taken the lead through Samu Castillejo (17).
Bilbao repeated their triumph at Mestalla, where a few weeks ago they beat the orange side 3-1 in their Copa del Rey quarter-final duel.
The Basque team is vying for places in European competitions by being in 6th position with 32 units.
Valencia, one of the historic teams in Spanish football, is plunged into a crisis after suffering its third consecutive defeat and going seven games without a win (six defeats and a draw) to place itself in the relegation zone as 18th with 20 units.
The bad news for the Che team began before the end of the first quarter of an hour, when they suffered the departure of Edison Cavani. The Uruguayan striker requested his change due to ankle discomfort.
At the end of the match, the supporters of the Mestalla pitch whistled loudly against the directive of the Valencian team.
GUARDADO GIVES TRIUMPH TO BETIS
Mexican midfielder Andrés Guardado broke a 2-2 tie as Betis returned to winning ways by beating Almería 3-2.
Rodrigo Sánchez opened the Béticos account after six minutes, but Colombian Luis Suárez equalized for the hosts at 27.
Sergio Canales gave coach Manuel Pellegrini’s side the lead again at 42; but again Almería equalized through Samuel Costa at 62. Guardado defined victory with his first league goal aged 70.
The victory leaves the Betic team in the European competition zone walking in 5th position with 34 units. Almería remains in 15th position with 22 points.