Toni Kroos and Real Madrid have kept their Primera Division title hopes alive. The World Cup winner was in the starting XI as Real celebrated a mini-derby win at Rayo Vallecano, having fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2. Reigning champions FC Barcelona will regain their spot at the top of the table with a win tonight when the face Sporting Gijon (20:30 CEST). Local rivals Atlético are currently top, having beaten Malaga 1-0 earlier today.
Adrian Embarba (7‘) and Miku (14‘) fired Vallecano into a shock early lead, before Bale pulled one back ten minutes before the break. Lucas Vazquez (52’) equalised early in the second half, before Bale sealed the three points with a late winner in the 81st minute – his 18th goal of the season. Real are next in action on Tuesday evening (20:45 CEST) against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Setback for Gomez and Can
Mario Gomez’s goal wasn’t enough to seal a win for Besiktas, who were held to a 3-3 draw against Akhisa Belediye in the Turkish Süper Lig. Despite dropping points, they remain top of the league. Gomez scored the opener for the Turkish side after 15 minutes.
Without the injured Emre Can, Liverpool FC threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against relegation-threatened Newcastle United in the Premier League. Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana gave Jürgen Klopp’s side the lead in the first half, but Papiss Cissé and Jack Colback pulled two goals back for the Magpies to secure a valuable point in their battle for survival.
Schweinsteiger and Utd through to FA Cup final
Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was missing due to injury as Man Utd beat Everton 2-1 at Wembley to book a spot in their first FA Cup final in nine years.
Marouane Fellaini opened the scoring for the Red Devils in the 34th minute, before Romelu Lukaku saw his penalty saved by David De Gea midway through the second half. Everton equalised with 15 to go as defender Chris Smalling turned the ball into his own net, but summer signing Anthony Martial bagged an injury time winner to send Utd into the final.