For surely these football games were decisive for those at the foot of the table.
One club is now down, and the betting odds are stacked against the other two strugglers staying in La Liga.
Sports betting is less clear at the top, though, as the race looks set to go to the wire, both for the title and that all-important third place and the chance to avoid a Champions League qualifier next season.
Sporting Gijon 1-1 Espanyol
Sporting had to win to put the pressure on Leganes.
That they didn’t manage to achieve it, once Gerard Moreno equalised Victor Rodriguez’s goal, will probably be one missed opportunity too many.
It’s now likely Gijon will be playing in the Segunda Division next season.
Granada 0-2 Malaga
Seven points adrift with four games remaining, Granada will need more than Tony Adams (inspirational as a player) to pull off the miracle.
They remain pointless and goalless in his three games in charge after Sandro scored twice.
The hosts pushed forward but couldn’t break down a stubborn Malaga.
Atletico Madrid 0-1 Villarreal
The hosts dominated, the visitors dug in and won.
With visiting goalkeeper Andres Fernandez in inspired form, there was time for Roberto Soriano to deliver the sucker-punch eight minutes from time.
It keeps the race for third place alive and completes a memorable double for the Yellow Submarine as Atletico gear up for the Champions League.
Barcelona 7-1 Osasuna
Buoyed by their last-gasp victory in El Clasico, this scoreline reflected a top versus bottom clash.
Lionel Messi’s 501st and 502nd goals for Barcelona helped – it also took his tally to 49 in 48 matches this season.
This rout merely pushed Osasuna closer to the drop, a fate that would be confirmed within a few hours.
Leganes 3-0 Las Palmas
This result was the final nail in the Osasuna coffin.
Las Palmas were ideal opponents for Leganes as they hit three in six second-half minutes to seal the victory.
Las Palmas could not even muster a shot on target.
Valencia 2-3 Real Sociedad
It was a tricky test overcome as Real Sociedad moved back up into sixth spot (for 24 hours) and kept alive their Europa League qualification hopes.
A first-minute own goal set them on their way and they withheld a spirited fightback in the Mestalla.
There may have been five goals, but virtually every shot on target resulted in the net bulging – Sociedad prevailed, despite having just two shots on target.
Deportivo La Coruna 2-6 Real Madrid
That’s how to respond to defeat in El Clasico.
This title race is still in Real’s hands, thanks to an emphatic victory.
Alvaro Morata, who opened the scoring inside 54 seconds, is no bad replacement when Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are missing.
He and James Rodriguez were among the fringe stars to shine in this romp at the Riazor.
Alaves 0-0 Eibar
A stalemate in the Basque Country derby.
And there’s no doubt Eibar will be the more satisfied after holding next month’s Copa del Rey finalists, despite playing more than an hour with 10 men.
Goalkeeper Asier Riesgo’s dismissal midway through the first half gave Alaves a clear advantage, but Eibar kept them at bay.
Sevilla 2-1 Celta Vigo
The battle for third place is as close as it can be.
Sevilla are back level on points with Atletico after seeing off spirited Celta.
Pablo Hernandez’s second yellow card 11 minutes after the re-start damaged their hopes and Wissam ben Yedder guided home the winner 11 minutes from time.
Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli said pre-match that he wanted his side to finish in the position they have been most of the season. They have a good chance.
Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Real Betis
Two goals in seven minutes early in the second half turned this one in Bilbao’s favour.
The ever-green Aritz Aduriz fired home a penalty before Iker Muniain doubled the advantage.
Betis, fresh from success at Celta Vigo, were beaten – despite Ruben Castro pulling one back almost immediately – and Bilbao had boosted their Europa League qualification hopes and were back in sixth.
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