The Spanish soccer record champions Real Madrid have consolidated the top of the table in the Primera Division. The royal team around ex-world champion Toni Kroos won 4-1 (1-0) against Valencia CF and increased their lead over Sevilla FC to at least eight points until Sunday.
Arch-rivals FC Barcelona, on the other hand, missed winning their third competitive game in the new year. The sporty and financially troubled club of renown came after a late conceding goal only to a 1: 1 (0: 0) at FC Granada. In the table, Barcelona are sixth for the time being. On Wednesday there will be a Clásico against Real in the semifinals of the Spanish Supercup.
The French striker Karim Benzema (43rd / penalty, 88th) and Vinicius Junior (52nd and 61st) each scored a clear win for Real. Valencia only came through with Goncalo Guedes to make it 1: 3 in the meantime (76th).
Former Dutch Bundesliga professional Luuk de Jong, who is supposed to leave the Catalans, scored the opening goal in the 57th minute with a header in Granada. Previously, the German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen prevented a deficit in the first half. In the final phase, the guests were outnumbered after a yellow-red card against Gavi (79th), which Antonio Puertas used to equalize in the 89th minute. (dpa)