Zimpapers Logo

MADRID. — Barcelona conceded twice in 68 seconds and Real Madrid were three down at half-time as Spanish La Liga soccer’s two title favourites were each stunned by surprise defeats on Wednesday night.

Barcelona conceded twice in 68 seconds and Real Madrid were three down at half-time, losing 3-0 as La Liga’s two title favourites were each stunned by surprise defeats on Wednesday. Barca’s 2-1 loss to relegation fighters Leganes was the greater shock but Madrid’s beating was more emphatic, blown away by Sevilla during a torrid 39 minutes at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

For both, it was their first defeat of the season and for both, defensive fragility was the key factor and a major concern with the second round of Champions League games to come next week.  By the end, Atletico Madrid, who had cruised to victory over Huesca on Tuesday and play Real on Saturday, were the biggest winners. After a stuttering start, Diego Simeone’s side will jump above Real with a win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Sevilla can be a formidable opponent on their own patch but few expected Leganes to inflict what was only Barcelona’s second league defeat in 17 months.

Gerard Pique committed the decisive error, his fluffed clearance allowing Oscar Rodriguez to score Leganes’ second goal in two incredible minutes at Estadio Municipal de Butarque. — AFP.