The penultimate round of the 2020/21 La Liga season has come to a wrap, setting up a juicy final Matchday in the Spanish top-flight campaign. Both first-placed Atletico Madrid and second-placed Real Madrid won over the weekend, beating Osasuna and Athletic Club respectively, meaning the title race will be decided on the final day. Barcelona, on the other hand, lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo, the fourth time they've failed to win in their last five outings, thus ending their title hopes. Elsewhere, Sevilla lost 4-0 away to Villarreal but the fourth-placed side could still beat Messi and Co. to third should the Blaugrana lose on the final day. Here's everything you need to know about the recent round of fixtures.
Top five teams in La Liga until May 23, 2021
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La Liga top 3 scorers
It might have been a bad weekend for Barcelona, but Lionel Messi got himself on the scoresheet, netting his team's only goal in the 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo. Gerard Moreno (23) has overtaken Benzema (22) as the second top-scorer in La Liga but remains well behind Leo's tally.
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La Liga – top headlines
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Barcelona's title hopes ended over the weekend but Lionel Messi managed a lovely feat despite the defeat. The Argentine scored his team's goal in the 2-1 loss, taking his league tally to 30 goals. This is the ninth time in his career that La Pulga has scored 30+ times in the league.
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Gerard Moreno found the back of the net in Villarreal's 4-0 triumph over Sevilla, netting his 23rd goal of the season, becoming the first Spanish player to score 23+ times in a single campaign since Diego Costa in 2013/14 (27).
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Eibar's relegation from La Liga was confirmed after their 4-1 loss to Valencia. This leaves Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Athletic Club as the only teams to have never suffered the drop in the competition's history.
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Atletico were able to beat Osasuna 2-1 thanks to an 88-minute winner from Luis Suarez. That goal saw the Uruguayan move level with Youssef En Nesyri as the player to have won the most points for this team in La Liga thanks to his goals (20 goals, 19 points).
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Alexander Isak scored twice as Real Sociedad beat Real Valladolid 4-1, making the Swedish starlet La Real's first player to score 16+ goals in a single La Liga season since Griezmann and Carlos Vela (both 16).
Top upcoming matches to watch in La Liga
Eibar vs Barcelona: This game will have little bearing on the title race as Barcelona have no chance of winning the league crown. However, it's about pride. Will the Catalan giants lose their final game of the campaign and finish the season in fourth? Given that Messi is out of contract this summer, could the Argentine's final game for the Blaugrana end in defeat? Time will tell.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Los Blancos cannot afford a slip up. Victory on the final day might not even be enough as they would need Atletico to drop points in order to successfully defend their title. However, Villarreal will be no pushovers as Emery's side are capable of punching above their weight.
Real Valladolid vs Atlético Madrid: This is the final hurdle for Simeone's side. Suarez and Co. simply need to beat Real Vallodolid, a side that are second from last in the table. Atletico's fate is in their hands. Do not miss this tie!
*Keep track of all the activity in the Spanish top-flight by following our dedicated La Liga competition page.
