Barca and Atletico return to La Liga top four after wins over Elche and Betis

MADRID: Barcelona and Atletico Madrid rejoined La Liga’s top four on Sunday after Barca needed a late penalty to beat Elche 2-1 before Atletico defeated Real Betis 3-1, Joao Felix scoring twice at the Benito Villamarin. It is the first time Barcelona and Atletico have both been in La Liga’s Champions League qualification spots since August. Atletico have struggled for solidity and consistency since winning the title last season while Barca are still recovering from a financial crisis and the departure of Lionel Messi.

Yet both teams will be growing in confidence that they can now achieve their minimum objective, which is to avoid missing out on the Champions League next season and the further financial damage that would cause. Barca are now third, level on points with Atletico in fourth, but having played a game fewer. They might both fancy their chances of finishing second, with stuttering Sevilla only seven points in front.

Atletico’s win over Betis was particularly significant given Betis started the day in third and have looked the mostly likely candidates all season to upset the established top four. Barcelona, meanwhile, had to come from behind at the Martinez Valero after Fidel capitalized on a Pedri error, only for Barca to come storming back thanks to two substitutes. Ferran Torres diverted in from close range on the hour before Depay scored an 84th-minute penalty after the striker had drawn Elche’s Antonio Barragan into a handball.