MADRID, April 6 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona tightened its grip on the La Liga title with a win away to Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid was beaten in Mallorca. Here are some things we learned over the weekend in Spain.
1. Barcelona claims big win in title race
Barcelona's players knew before their 2-1 win away to Atletico Madrid that victory would move them seven points clear of Real Madrid with eight games remaining.
An Atletico side featuring several changes, with coach Diego Simeone partly focused on this week's Champions League quarterfinal between the teams, started brightly and opened the scoring. But Barcelona gradually took control of midfield, turning that control into dominance after Atletico's Nico Gonzalez was sent off.
Robert Lewandowski had some fortune with the winner after Juan Musso's save rebounded off him, but Barcelona deserved the victory and can now turn attention to Europe, where the challenge is likely to be different.
2. Muriqi ends week on a high
Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi was already a hero on the island before scoring the winner against Real Madrid, but his last-minute strike on Saturday further cemented that status.
Mallorca has scored 36 goals in La Liga this season, with the powerful Muriqi, nicknamed "the Pirate," accounting for 19 of them after rejecting a January move to aid the club's survival push.
The week began in disappointment for Muriqi after Kosovo's 1-0 home loss to Turkiye ended the team's World Cup hopes, with the forward criticized for his display. It ended on a high, however, with Mallorca moving out of the relegation zone.
3. Madrid takes a step back
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he was to blame after his side's defeat in Mallorca, although his team selection was understandable given that Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham returned from international duty carrying minor injuries, and a Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich awaits on Tuesday.
A poor midfield display from Eduardo Camavinga saw the Frenchman criticized for his role in Mallorca's opening goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the assist for Eder Militao's equalizer, but his defensive weaknesses were again exposed.
Arbeloa has impressed since replacing Xabi Alonso, but Madrid's title hopes are fading and his long-term future may now depend on success in Europe.
4. Getafe pushing for Europe
Getafe beat Athletic Club 2-0 at home on Sunday in a game where Pepe Bordalas' side rarely looked troubled after Luis Vazquez opened the scoring in the 14th minute.
Vazquez and fellow striker Martin Satriano have been key to Getafe's revival, lifting the club from relegation danger in January into contention for European qualification.
Six wins from eight games, including victories over Real Madrid, Real Betis and Villarreal, have been built on the duo's goals and the team's trademark organization and resilience. Getafe is now eighth in the table, with as many as eight Spanish teams likely to qualify for Europe next season. ■
