Real end run of 3 consecutive draws

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Sevilla need own-goal to draw with Bilbao

MADRID, Jan 4, (AP): Defender Raphael Varane scored one goal and helped to force a goalkeeping error for another to secure Real Madrid a 3-0 win at Getafe on Saturday in its first match since the Spanish league’s winter break. Varane was involved in an own-goal by Getafe goalkeeper David Soria to open the scoring in the 34th minute when the center back challenged Soria for a high ball in the area.

The Spanish league credited the goal to Soria. The France international doubled the lead in the 53rd with Varane left unmarked to head home a free kick by Toni Kroos. The goal was confirmed by a video review, which ruled that Varane had not been offside. Luka Modrid added a third goal from a pass by Federico Valverde on the break in stoppage time. Madrid needed a pair of quality saves by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to stop first-half shots by Mauro Arambarri and Leandro Cabrera. The victory ended a run of three consecutive draws in the league by Madrid to end 2019.

Zinedine Zidane’s side had failed to score in the final two of those draws. Getafe, a modest Spanish capital rivals of Madrid, were left in seventh place.They had only lost once in nine previous home league games this season – a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in September. Madrid will now travel to Saudi Arabia to play in the Spanish Super Cup along with Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Valencia. Meanwhile Sevilla needed an own-goal to salvage a 1-1 draw at home against Athletic Bilbao as the Spanish league resumed after the winter break.

Bilbao controlled the match in Seville in the first half and went ahead in the 15th minute when right back Ander Capa received the ball on the side of the area and fired a shot under goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. Sevilla increased the pace after halftime and got its reward when Bilbao defender Unai Nuñez deflected a low cross by Lucas Ocampos into his own net with half an hour left. “They had one scoring chance and put it in,” Ocampos said. “We found our pace in the second half and got the draw. But we leave with a bittersweet taste since we couldn’t get the victory.” Sevilla will not have Ocampos, its top scorer in the league with five goals, for next round’s match at Madrid after he picked up a fifth booking of the season for a foul in the second half. Bilbao striker Iñaki Williams had to be substituted for what appeared to be a leg injury late in the match. He walked off the field. Bilbao, which stayed in seventh place, also earned a 0-0 draw at Madrid in the previous round.

“We are playing well at the back. That is our strength and we need to keep that up,” Capa said. “The own-goal is just too bad.” Also, Valladolid striker Enes Unal scored his second goal of a brace with 11 minutes left to earn a 2-2 draw at home against Leganés. Friday’s two games were the first in the Spanish league TENNIS since it stopped for a winter break in late December.

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