Villarreal defeats Valencia 2:1 and solidifies third place in LaLiga

The match at Estadio de la Cerámica provided fans with plenty of excitement, though it was dictated by the hosts. Villarreal took the lead thanks to goals finished by Pape Gueye and Santi Comesaña. The visitors from Valencia managed to respond with one goal, but in the final minutes, goalkeeper Luiz Júnior made fantastic interventions, saving dangerous shots from Danjuma and Sadiq. With this win, the 'Yellow Submarine' has firmly established itself in the league's top spots, building a stable lead over the chasing pack in the race for the Champions League. In another important Sunday match, Celta Vigo defeated Mallorca 2:0 at home. The hero of the match was the indispensable Iago Aspas, whose clinical finishing left the team from the Balearic Islands without any points. Meanwhile, Sevilla broke their dreadful run of away matches, winning 1:0 at Getafe. This was the Andalusian team's first victory on an opponent's ground since September, significantly improving the mood in the squad led by the coaching staff standing in for the suspended manager. The rivalry between Villarreal and Valencia, known as the Derbi de la Comunitat, has gained particular significance in the last decade. While historically Valencia was the regional powerhouse, Villarreal's financial stabilization has allowed it to surpass its local rival in the hierarchy of Spanish football.The situation in the LaLiga EA Sports table is becoming increasingly clear. While the top teams fight for the highest honors, there is a huge logjam at the bottom of the table. In the lower division, LaLiga Hypermotion, there was a change at the top. Racing Santander secured a modest victory over Burgos 1:0, allowing the team to solidify its position at the top of the LaLiga Hypermotion table. Meanwhile, Málaga defeated Albacete, sending a clear signal that it intends to fight for direct promotion to the elite. „Vinimos a por los tres puntos y nos llevamos los tres puntos.” (We came for the three points and we took the three points.) — Matías Almeyda It is also worth noting Atlético Madrid's victory, which already on Saturday defeated Espanyol 4:2, breaking a month-long winless streak in the league. Diego Simeone's team had to come back from a deficit from the 6th minute, but ultimately dominated the opponent at the Metropolitano. This was a key test ahead of upcoming clashes in European cups, as noted by local sports media.