A roundup of all of Saturday’s action in Spain’s top flight…
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Barcelona 2-1 Valencia
They’re out of the Champions League in heartbreaking fashion, sure, but Barcelona bounced back to winning ways in league play on Saturday, and in the process set a new La Liga record by improving to 39 games without defeat, dating back to last season. It’s hardly commensurate consolation after blowing a 4-1 lead over Roma following the first leg, but it’s yet another piece of history nonetheless.
On the not-so-bright side, Valencia entered the weekend one point ahead of Real Madrid for third place, thus beating Los Che opened the door for Los Blancos to return to third on Sunday.
Luis Suarez bagged the game’s opening goal after a quarter-hour, poking the ball past the goalkeeper from close range at the near post, and Samuel Umtiti made it 2-0 in the 51st minute — both goals were set up by Philippe Coutinho.
GOOOAAAL: Sneaky, sneaky @LuisSuarez9 creeps his way through the @valenciacf_en defense, and @FCBarcelona take the lead! #BarcaValencia pic.twitter.com/t6qaa8hkHp
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 14, 2018
GOOOAAAL: If @samumtiti wants a new deal, this is a good way to earn it. @FCBarcelona double their lead. #BarcaValencia pic.twitter.com/PURionKSTo
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 14, 2018
With the victory, Barca are now 14 points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid, with the season’s final El Clasico coming up in three short weeks, at the Camp Nou.
Elsewhere in La Liga
Girona 0-1 Real Betis (Friday)
Sevilla 2-2 Villarreal
Leganes 1-0 Celta Vigo
Las Palmas 0-1 Real Sociedad
Atletico Bilbao 2-3 Deportivo La Coruña
Sunday’s La Liga schedule
Eibar vs. Alaves — 6 a.m. ET
Atletico Madrid vs. Levante — 10:15 a.m. ET
Getafe vs. Espanyol — 12:30 p.m. ET
Malaga vs. Real Madrid — 2:45 p.m. ET