A roundup of all of Saturday’s action in Spain’s top flight…
[ MORE: What did we learn in the Premier League, Week 18? ]
Barcelona 2-0 Celta Vigo
Barcelona sit atop the La Liga table heading into Spain’s two-week winter break following a more than comfortable 2-0 home victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi bagged the goals for Barca, as they have so frequently done in recent weeks. Messi played a key part in the opener, scored by Dembele, as it was his shot that was saved but spilled into the path of Dembele in the 10th minute. Messi made it 2-0 just before halftime.
Following a particularly rocky run of results in September (four games without a victory), Barca have since righted the ship and won seven out of their last nine league games. Their lead is, however, just three points, as Atletico Madrid closed the gap and briefly pulled to within a single point.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Espanyol
Speaking of Atleti, Diego Simeone’s side secured its third straight victory via an Antoine Griezmann penalty kick in the 56th minute.
Elsewhere in La Liga
Real Betis 1-1 Eibar
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Valladolid
Sunday’s La Liga schedule
Valencia v. Huesca — 6 a.m. ET
Leganes v. Sevilla — 10:15 a.m. ET
Rayo Vallecano v. Levante — 12:30 p.m. ET