FOOTBALL – There was lots of football action this week including European World Cup Qualifiers, La Liga and the 2020 final of the Copa del Rey. It was also a week filled with controversy both on and off the field
All domestic sides in the World Cup qualifiers including Gibraltar and Spain, played host to their matches at home. This week´s games also saw the last of round 3 out of 10 in the qualifiers. The next round does not take place until September.
World Cup Qualifiers
Gibraltar received a thrashing at home by the Netherlands in a 0-7 defeat. And Wales won 1-0 at Cardiff City Stadium against Czech Republic
On Wednesday 31st Northern Ireland was held to a no score draw against Bulgaria. While Spain won 3-1 against Kosovo, England winning 2-1 against Poland and Scotland won 4-0 at Hampden against the Faroe Islands.
Spain tops group B. Northern Ireland sits in the middle of their group with Italy and Switzerland above and Bulgaria and Lithuania below. Wales also sits mid group with Belgium and Czech Republic above, equal on points with Belarus and Estonia at the bottom of the table. Scotland are 2nd in group F to Denmark. Gibraltar sit bottom of group G. England are top of their group with Hungary trailing by 2 points.
La Liga
Friday 2nd saw the return of some football action in La Liga. From the top 4, Real Madrid played at home on Saturday and won 2-0 against Eibar. Yesterday (Sunday) saw the controversial match when Cadiz took on Valencia winning 2-1. Sevilla and Atletico Madrid also played yesterday. It was a hard-fought match right from the beginning, but Sevilla won by one goal with Atletico failing to score. Tonight, sees Valladolid make the journey to Barcelona.
The next few matches could see dramatic changes in the table. Despite losing their match against Sevilla, Atletico are currently still top. However, 3rd place Barcelona play tonight, and if they win, will go within 1 point of Atletico.
Copa del Rey
The 2019/2020 final of the Copa del Rey was played on Saturday April 3, 2021. The final had previously been postponed due to Covid-19 as the teams both agreed to wait to share the moment with their fans. However, one year, this was not the case, and the game was played behind closed doors.
Real Sociedad won the final 1–0 against Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao, achieving their third overall Copa del Rey title and first since 1987, ending a 34-year trophy drought. Oyarzabal scored the only goal of the match in the 62nd minute.
Athletic Bilbao get another chance to win the Copa del Rey. The 2020/21 final is set to take place against Barcelona on April 17 at Estadio de La Cartuja in Sevilla.
