LALIGA FC FUTURES
SÁB 28.12.2019
Saturday served up some pulsating LaLiga Promises action that featured the final group-stage games, which determined the last-eight lineup and produced the odd surprise, with Inter Milan, who had prevailed in their opening two matches, ultimately bowing out.
Group A
Juventus and Real Betis locked horns with a quarter-final berth up for stake. The Italians it was who claimed a narrow 1-0 win to advance, whilst FC Barcelona took top spot after they swept Al-Ain FC aside in a 5-0 rout.
Group B
High drama is always guaranteed when Sevilla FC are around. The Sevillians secured a 2-0 triumph over an unbeaten Inter Milan side and the Italians' slip-up, along with Atletico Madrid's 10-0 drubbing of Baniyas Club saw the Nerazzurri miss out on a place in the last eight. The Madrilenians finished as group winners on goal difference, with the Andalusians sealing the runners-up spot.
Group C
RCD Espanyol rounded off a perfect group-stage campaign with a 3-0 success over SL Benfica that made it a clean sweep of wins for the Barcelona-based side. In the last pool game, Valencia CF toppled Borussia Dortmund in a 2-1 victory to advance to the quarters.
Group D
Following their two opening-day wins, Villarreal CF needed just a point in their meeting with Paris Saint-Germain to progress as group winners. The Yellow Submarine's stalemate against the Parisians allowed Real Madrid to grab second spot after they brushed Al-Jazira aside in an 8-0 triumph.
Quarter-finals
Juventus 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Atleti were the first side to book their semi-final ticket after they eked out a 1-0 win over Juventus courtesy of a last-gasp winner.
Sevilla FC 1-1 FC Barcelona (3-2 in the shootout)
Atletico will square off against a Sevilla side that edged past Barcelona in a fascinating contest that came down to a penalty shootout. The Andalusians hit the front following a sublime long-range effort, but Barcelona struck to level terms. In the shootout, Sevilla converted all of their spot-kicks, whilst Barça missed their third effort to see the Sevillians through.
RCD Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
For yet another year, Real Madrid ensured their place in the semis after seeing off an Espanyol side who came into the quarter-finals having won all of their previous games. Two delicious efforts from Paulo Iago and Jose Reyes put Los Blancos into the driving seat, and although the Catalans halved the deficit, the capital club held out to secure a place in the next round.
Valencia CF 1-3 Villarreal CF
Villarreal were forced to come from behind to take the final spot in the last-four lineup. Los Che got their noses in front, but the Castellon side managed to restore parity and that's how things remained until the final stages, when two goals tipped the balance in Villarreal's favour.
Semi-finals
11:00 (CET) Atletico Madrid v Sevilla FC
11:50 (CET) Real Madrid v Villarreal CF
Sevilla 1-1 FC Barcelona (3-2 en los penaltis)
El rival del Atlético en semifinales será un Sevilla que superó en un increíble duelo al FC Barcelona que se decidió en la tanda de penaltis. Se adelantaron en el marcador los andaluces con un golazo desde fuera del área pero el Barcelona logró el empate. En la tanda decisiva, después de que el Sevilla anotara todos sus lanzamientos, un fallo en el tercero de los azulgrana dio el pase al conjunto sevillista.
RCD Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid
Tampoco faltará a su cita con las semifinales un año más el Real Madrid después de superar a un Espanyol que llegaba a los cuartos de final tras ganar todos sus encuentros anteriores. Dos golazos de Paulo y de José Reyes adelantaban al Real Madrid, y aunque el Espanyol recortó distancias, los blancos aguantaron y estarán en la siguiente fase.
Valencia 1-3 Villarreal CF
El Villarreal tuvo que remontar para convertirse en el último semifinalista del torneo. El Valencia se adelantó en el marcador, pero el Villarreal consiguió empatar y el duelo se mantuvo igualado hasta el final, cuando dos goles del conjunto amarillo decantaron la balanza a su favor.
Semifinales
11:00 Atlético de Madrid – Sevilla FC
11:50 Real Madrid – Villarreal CF
© LALIGA - 2019