Barcelona needed a late winner from Frankie de Jong to overtake Alavés in La Liga on Sunday, while Real Madrid gave their title rivals hope with a 2-2 draw at home to Elche.
De Jong’s 87th-minute winner at Mendizzorrotza was the high point of an otherwise spirited performance by Barca, but it also secured a crucial 1–0 victory in their bid to capture the top four.
“When we lost to Real Madrid in the Super Cup we were satisfied with the game but we didn’t win – this time we are not satisfied with the game but three points are gold,” said Xavi Hernandez.
Barcelona moved up to fifth place, while Atletico Madrid are still one point ahead of fourth place. The two teams will face each other on February 6 at Camp Nou.
“We are in a fight and these results will be very useful,” Xavi said.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, missed the opportunity to move six clear of Sevilla as Karim Benzema missed a penalty and then was injured at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It could have been worse for Madrid, who were two down with 11 minutes, yet managed to save a point thanks to a Luka Modric penalty and a 92nd-minute header from Eder Militao.
Lucas Boye and Pere Mila gave Elche the victory in one stroke.
But two dropped points against a team fighting for survival this season will come as a welcome bonus for Sevilla, who would have expected to be punished for their own draw at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday.
“The match was a little bit everywhere,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“We dropped two points so we can’t be happy but in general we have a break now and we are in a good position. We are in the Champions League Copa del Rey and we have a good position in the league.”
Benzema’s injury is probably the biggest concern. The Frenchman was grappling with his left hamstring as he walked down the tunnel in the second half and Ancelotti said he would undergo testing on Monday.
Madrid will hope it is nothing too serious, with their Champions League first leg against Paris Saint-Germain just three weeks away.
Eden Hazard was given his opportunity after Ancelotti gave him a rare start and while the Belgian was certainly one of Madrid’s more creative players, he departed in the 79th minute just before his team’s revival began.
Before kick-off, all Madrid players came out wearing number 11 shirts to pay tribute to Paco Gento, who died at the age of 88 on Tuesday. On display were Gento’s 12 league trophies and six European Cups.
Real Madrid did enough to create a few chances in the first half, but overall they were sluggish, with sloppy passing and a lack of quickness in recent performances.
Still, it looked like Vinicius Jr. was hacked by Halibelton Palacios in the 33rd minute and the referee pointed to the spot. The usually trusting Benzema, however, got ignited.
Miss Galvanized Elche, who had defended tenaciously and then gave herself something to defend.
Johann Mojica sent a ball to the left for Fidel to run, and he crossed the area where Boye was free to nod.
Elche was unnecessarily upset and made it two in the 76th minute, excellent boy David turned away from Alaba and passed to Mila, who drove into the far corner.
Madrid looked to their feet but were handed a lifeline in the 82nd minute, as Alaba’s flick header caught Mila on the arm and in Benzema’s absence, Modric slipped on a penalty.
There was time for an equalizer and in the 92nd minute, it came on, as Vinicius received an overhit pass off the line and crossed for Militao, who went ahead. With two minutes remaining, Madrid wanted a winner but time ran out.
Barcelona also left it late and could have been left behind had Pere Ponce not had a similar finish at Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s hands in the first half.
Luc de Jong headed for Barca, but it took too long and then Alves’ Joselu advanced to the front post, leading the game to a stalemate.
But Barca found a way out with three minutes remaining, Jordi Alba clipping a delightful pass over the top for Ferran Torres, who showed it to tap to the left, where de Jong had an easy end.
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