Real Madrid and Atleti end scoreless; Barca cruises to extend La Liga lead

Published on: 18 November 2017

Luis Suarez snapped a five-game goalless drought in all competitions as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 victory at Leganes. Barcelona added to their lead atop La Liga as Luis Suarez's brace led the way for 3-0 win over Leganes. Barcelona added to their lead atop La Liga as Luis Suarez's brace led the way for 3-0 win over Leganes.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid played to a disappointing 0-0 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday that allowed Barcelona to extend their lead atop the La Liga table to 10 points over both teams.

The hosts were gifted a glorious chance to open the scoring in the opening minutes. A misplayed Marcelo back pass hit two Real defenders and fell to a wide open Angel Correa in the penalty area, but the Argentine couldn't find a way past Kiko Casilla and his shot blazed wide of the post.

Real came close on the half-hour mark after some nice interplay between Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos sprang the Germany international in the Atleti box, but his ensuing poked shot was slightly off target.

Sergio Ramos was kicked in the face and bloodied while trying to head in Real's opener just before half-time and was substituted for Nacho at the break.

Chances were hard to come by for either side in the second half with Kroos' darting run and chipped shot in the 75th minute the most threatening moment for the visitors.

In an effort to jumpstart his attack, Zinedine Zidane put Marco Asensio on for Benzema with 15 minutes left to play.

But it was fellow substitute Kevin Gameiro who almost did the honours after Yannick Carrasco sprang him in the Real box only for Raphael Varane to sweep his lobbed shot off the line.

The result marks the first time since May 2005 that a Madrid derby ended without a goal.

Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring a goal in Barcelona's 3-0 win against Leganes.

On the outskirts of Madrid before the derby, Luis Suarez ended a goalless drought with strikes either side of half-time as Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners against Leganes.

Suarez, who was an injury doubt leading up to the match after sitting out Uruguay's friendlies last week, had been held without a goal in his last five games in all competitions, dating back to his late equaliser against Atletico Madrid on Oct. 14.

But he tapped home from close range in the 28th minute after Ivan Cuellar spilled a save from a cross right into the Uruguayan's path, and then volleyed in his second on the hour mark from a rebound following a Paco Alcacer shot.

Paulinho added a third for Ernesto Valverde's team before full-time, poking home from close range after the ball fell to him following a nice buildup in the area by Barca.

Barca now enjoy a seven-point lead over second-placed Valencia, who play Sunday, and are 11 points above both Real Madrid and Atletico before the two meet in a derby later on Saturday.

Sevilla came from behind for a 2-1 home win over Celta Vigo that keeps them firmly in the battle for European places.

Maxi Gomez had headed the visitors in front after 13 minutes from a free kick, but the sides went in level as Luis Muriel replied for the hosts nine minutes before half-time.

Three minutes into the second half, Nolito headed home Pablo Sarabia's cross to seal the win.

Getafe striker Angel scored twice as his side returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4-1 win over struggling Alaves in the lunchtime kick-off.

The hosts had seen their recent run of good form brought to a halt last week when they surrendered an early two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Real Betis.

But they made no mistake against Alaves, who remain inside the relegation zone after suffering a 10th defeat in 12 games this season.

Markel Bergara and a Jorge Molina penalty gave Getafe another two-goal cushion inside the opening 10 minutes and this time is was not one they looked likely to lose.

Angel's brace in the opening 20 minutes of the second half made certain of victory for the home side before Alaves achieved some degree of consolation with a late effort from Christian Santos.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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