BARCELONA, Spain — Atletico Madrid took advantage of Real Madrid’s humbling loss in the “clasico” by moving past its crosstown rival into second place in the Spanish league after winning 1-0 at Real Betis Sunday.
Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion blasted in a rebound for what proved to be the winner in the seventh minute after Atletico’s intense pressure recovered the ball. After that, the host was outmatched and never mustered a serious challenge, while Atletico squandered several more chances.
Atletico replaced Madrid as Barcelona’s closest title rival at four points off its pace through 12 rounds. The change came a day after the defending champion dealt Madrid a humiliating 4-0 drubbing at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Atletico’s success in exploiting Madrid’s woes will increase the pressure on Madrid’s coach, Rafa Benitez, whose team is now six points behind Barcelona and two points adrift of Diego Simeone’s side.
Betis remained in 12th after a fourth consecutive home defeat.
Elsewhere, Villarreal scored late to salvage a 1-1 draw at home with Eibar that lifted it into fourth place.
Villarreal moved above Celta Vigo and into Spain’s last Champions League spot.
At the other end of the standings, Brazilian striker Deyverson scored twice in Levante’s 3-0 win at Sporting Gijon to move the team off the bottom of table with its first win in three matches under new coach Joan Ferrer.
Granada also got a much-needed first home win of the season, and its first victory in 10 rounds, to emerge from the relegation zone after downing Athletic Bilbao 2-0.
Hertha beats Hoffenheim
An own goal was enough for Hertha Berlin to reclaim fourth place in the Bundesliga with a 1-0 home win Sunday over Hoffenheim that left the visiting side bottom. Later Sunday, Ingolstadt came from behind to defeat fellow promoted side Darmstadt 3-1 and climb to eighth.
Inter 2 clear
Inter Milan moved two points clear at the top of Serie A with a 4-0 win over struggling Frosinone Sunday after title rival Fiorentina was held to a 2-2 draw by Empoli.
Goals from Jonathan Biabiany, Mauro Icardi, Jeison Murillo and Marcelo Brozovic helped Inter to its first win by more than a one-goal margin since April.
Napoli and Fiorentina have 28 points, one more than Roma, which was held to a 2-2 draw at Bologna Saturday.
Marseille wins
In Paris, Lassana Diarra played 90 minutes for Marseille in its 2-0 win at Saint-Etienne that rounded off an emotional weekend in France marked by tributes to the victims of the Paris terror attacks.
Diarra, whose cousin was fatally wounded in the Nov. 13 attack, only returned to training Saturday having spent time with his family.
Elsewhere, ‘La Marseillaise’ rang out in Bastia ahead of the Corsican derby won 2-1 by Gazelec Ajaccio. — Agencies
