(Football news) After matchday 26 of La Liga, Real Madrid are still 6 points clear of Sevilla at the top of the table. Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are level on points but the Blaugrana have a game in hand. Los Blancos are still in the driver's seat but Sevilla are still lurking behind. On the other hand if Barcelona win their game in hand they will go to 3rd place.

Real left it very late to win 1-0 away at Rayo Vallecano which is always a difficult trip for any team in Spain. Casemiro had a goal disallowed in the 39th minute of the game. The contest was evenly matched as both teams had a number of good chances. The two keepers Luca Zidane and Thibaut Courtois were often called to bail their side. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 83rd minute when Madrid's dynamic and consistent duo of Vinicius Jr and Benzema combined to score. It was Benzema's 19th league goal of the season and also Vinicius' 6th league assist of the season. Los Blancos aren't as clinical as they were at the mid part of the season but are still getting the job done as they retain their 6 point lead at the top of the table.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Manchester United, Atletico Madrid responded with a 2-0 win against Celta Vigo at home. Renan Lodi scored a goal in each half to get his side 3 crucial points. Geoffrey Kondogbia set up both the goals as the midfielder dominated the centre of the pitch. Atleti are keeping the pressure on Barcelona and Real Betis in their race for top 4. Their next fixture is an important one against Betis where a win would see them make it to the top 4. Luis Suarez once again started on the bench and only came on in the 72nd minute which now makes it two games in a row where Diego Simeone has benched the star striker.

Xavi's Barcelona sent out a warning as they defeated Athletic club 4-0 at the Camp Nou. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele, Luuk De Jong and Memphis Depay scored the goals. Dembele came off the bench to score one and assist two inside 20 minutes as he showed that he is still committed to doing well at Barcelona at least until the end of the season. Memphis Depay played his first minutes since the Super Cup semi final in January to give Xavi a welcoming selection problem. The 4 January signings have definitely had a massive impact on the side as the Catalan club now look likely to finish in the top 4 and possibly win the Europa League in what was supposed to be a difficult season.

Also read: Real Madrid offer Asensio a 4-year extension amid interest from English clubs