Villarreal give leaders some space
Juan Albin snatches late 1-0 win for Getafe despite Villarreal having one-man advantage in Spanish Primera Division.
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| Albin was sent off as he earned a second yellow card for removing his shirt after scoring his winner [Reuters] |
Villarreal squandered the chance to move within two points of second-placed Real Madrid in the Spanish Primera Division when they conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 at Getafe despite having an extra man for more than half the match.
Without suspended Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi, Villarreal lacked their usual bite in attack and substitute Juan Albin snatched the winner for Getafe in the 89th minute after their defender, Daniel Diaz, had been sent off just before half time.
Uruguayan midfielder Albin, whose low shot squirmed just inside the post, was also dismissed as he celebrated the goal by removing his shirt and was shown a second yellow card.
Atletico Madrid ended a run of three defeats in all competitions on Saturday when a Sergio Aguero double gave them a 2-0 win at home to Deportivo Coruna in the late kickoff.
Depor goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia saved Diego Forlan’s fifth-minute penalty before Aguero, whom local media reported on Saturday had agreed a contract extension, struck twice before half time to lift Atletico to sixth spot.
Poor run
Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute had a first-half penalty saved as the Andalusians’ poor run continued when they lost 3-1 at home to lowly Almeria in the regional derby.
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The Mali international pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 in the 83rd before Almeria’s Pablo Piatti scored his second of the night to condemn Sevilla to a fourth straight defeat, prompting disgruntled whistling at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
Villarreal and Getafe, watched by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, cancelled each other out in the first period at the Coliseum in Madrid before Diaz was dismissed in the 41st minute.
The referee brandished a straight red card at the Argentine defender after he cut down Villarreal’s pacy Brazilian striker Nilmar in full flight.
The numerical advantage immediately lifted the visitors.
Nilmar burst clear moments before the break but his low shot was well saved by Jordi Codina’s outstretched leg.
Villarreal’s Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla and former international Marcos Senna saw plenty of the ball but were unable to unlock a determined home defence and Francisco Casquero’s header set up Albin to snatch the win.
Third-placed Villarreal have 30 points from 15 matches behind Real Madrid, who have 35 and can climb above leaders Barcelona at least for a few hours with a win at bottom side Real Zaragoza on Sunday.
Champions Barca host promoted Real Sociedad in the late kickoff.
Getafe climb to seventh on 23, level on points with Atletico but with a worse goal difference. Espanyol are in fourth spot on 28 points ahead of their trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday while fifth-placed Valencia have 24 before hosting Osasuna on Monday.