Alejandro Balde (L) of FC Barcelona vies with Juan Iglesias of Getafe CF during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
MADRID, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Antoine Griezmann missed a late penalty as La Liga leader Atletico Madrid slumped to a surprise 1-0 defeat in the south of Madrid away to Leganes on Saturday.
Matija Nastasic scored the only goal of the game to end Atletico's 15-game winning run, with a powerful header early in the second half. His side had chances to extend their lead, with Juan Cruz taking too long when he had space in the Atletico penalty area.
Leganes goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic was another hero with a series of saves in a solid display, including one point-blank effort in the last minute of injury time to frustrate Angel Correa.
Griezmann wasted Atletico's best chance of the game in the 89th minute when he sent the ball wide from the penalty spot after Sergio Gonzalez was penalized for handball.
FC Barcelona also dropped two points after being held to a 1-1 draw away to Getafe, meaning they haven't won in the Alfonso Perez Coliseum since 2019.
Jules Kounde gave Barca a perfect start when he scored after nine minutes, poking home after goalkeeper David Soria had blocked his initial effort from Pedri's pass.
Mauro Arambarri equalized 11 minutes from halftime, scrambling the ball home after Barca goalkeeper Inaki Pena had made a good save to deny Getafe winger Coba.
Getafe was content to defend in depth in the second half, with five in defense and a four-man midfield, leaving little space for Barca to move the ball.
Soria produced excellent saves to deny Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha, as Barca was once again frustrated by Getafe.
Saul Niguez and Dodi Lukebakio scored as Sevilla fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 away to Girona.
Arnau Martinez scored with a powerful header in the 36th minute to put Girona in front, but Saul leveled just before the hour with his first goal since joining Sevilla, as he nodded home from a corner.
Lukebakio won the game two minutes from time after controlling a long ball and flicking the ball past Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who had earlier saved a penalty from Sevilla forward Isaac Romero.
Alaves striker Kike Garcia scored a hat-trick as his side claimed an important 3-1 win away to Real Betis that helps them climb away from the relegation zone, while deepening their rivals' crisis after just one win in their last nine league games and a 5-1 Copa del Rey exit to FC Barcelona.
Kike scored an 11th-minute penalty and although Jesus Rodriguez equalized in the 28th minute, Betis' hopes suffered a blow when Romain Perraud was sent off for using an arm on Carlos Vicente.
Kike assured three big points for Alaves with goals in the 80th and 84th minutes to end a miserable week for Betis.
On Friday, Espanyol won a vital relegation battle 2-1 with goals from Javi Puado and new signing Roberto Fernandez.
Javi Sanchez scored in the 57th minute for Valladolid, who lost striker Raul Moro with a broken collar bone after a bad fall. ■
Lamine Yamal (R) of FC Barcelona vies with Djene Dakonam of Getafe CF during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Raphinha (L) of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Lamine Yamal (L) of FC Barcelona vies with Coba Gomes (C) of Getafe CF during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Players of Getafe CF celebrate a goal during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Jules Kounde (front) of FC Barcelona scores a goal during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Robert Lewandowski (L) of FC Barcelona vies with Omar Alderete of Getafe CF during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Players of FC Barcelona celebrate a goal during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Lamine Yamal (R) of FC Barcelona vies with Diego Rico of Getafe CF during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Players of FC Barcelona celebrate a goal during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Players of FC Barcelona celebrate a goal during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Jules Kounde (L) of FC Barcelona vies with Coba Gomes of Getafe CF during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Alejandro Balde (R) of FC Barcelona vies with Carles Alena of Getafe CF during the LaLiga football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, in Coliseum stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
