European roundup: Atlético beat Real Madrid to boost Champions League hopes
A first-half penalty by Yannick Carrasco earned Atlético Madrid a 1-0 victory in a fiery derby against Real Madrid on Sunday, as the hosts tightened their grip on a place in next season’s Champions League.
Atleetico, who welcomed the newly crowned La Liga champions to the Wanda Metropolitano without the traditional guard of honour, came out pressing high as Angel Correa and Carrasco had two great chances to open the scoring within the first 10 minutes.
Carrasco put the hosts ahead in the 40th minute, after a penalty was awarded following a VAR review for a foul on Matheus Cunha.
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The goal sparked Carlo Ancelotti’s side into life, despite several players being rested after Real clinched their 35th league title last weekend, and some powerful shots threatened Jan Oblak’s goal before half-time.
The Slovenia international pulled off another great save minutes before full time to keep out Marco Asensio’s attempt to equalise with a low free-kick.
Diego Simeone’s side remain fourth on 64 points, six clear of Real Betis in fifth, and with three games left to play. The top four qualify for the Champions League next season.
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A Sandro Tonali double moved Milan one step closer to their first Serie A title in 11 years after they regained top spot with a 3-1 comeback victory at Hellas Verona on Sunday.
After Internazionale provisionally moved top of the standings with a 4-2 win over , the pressure was on Stefano Pioli’s side and the triumph over ninth-placed Verona moved them two points clear at the top with two games left.
Milan dominated the early stages and had several opportunities to score but it was Verona who drew first blood in the 38th minute when an incisive pass found Darko Lazovic, whose cross was headed home by his fellow wing-back Davide Faraoni.
But Milan refused to give in and right on the stroke of half-time, Rafael Leão - fired up after receiving a yellow card - danced into the box and cut the ball back for Tonali to score from point-blank range.
Sandro Tonali applauds the Milan fans Photograph: Filippo Venezia/EPA
The pair combined again four minutes after the break on a Milan counterattack, with the lightning quick Leão sprinting past the backtracking Verona defence before his low cross was turned into an empty net by Tonali.
Alessandro Florenzi, who came on as a late substitute, sealed all three points when the full back found space to run into the box and fired a thumping half-volley past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.