Canadian international Cyle Larin has made a dream debut with Real Valladolid in La Liga. He scored the winning goal in the 90e minute to beat Valencia 1-0.
Larin scored on a half-volley at the far post from a perfect Darwin Machis cross to beat Valencia at home in front of 19,657 hysterical fans.
Valladolid’s victory (6-11-2) saves them from the relegation zone at 16e rank. As for Valence (5-8-5), he remains at 14e rung. Valladolid had lost their last five games and hadn’t scored a goal since.
Larin joined Spain on Tuesday on a loan from Club Brugge with an option to buy out at the end of the season. The 27-year-old striker joined Brugge and fellow countryman Tajon Buchanan last July but failed to crack the starting line-up. He has recorded one goal in 13 games.
Prior to Belgium, Larin had been on the pitch for Besiktas in Turkey since 2018. He was alongside Canadian captain Atiba Hutchinson. The goalscorer had found the back of the net 23 times in 45 games to help Besiktas win the Turkish league and cup.
Real hooked by Real, Barça moves away
Real Madrid were hooked 0-0 by Real Sociedad on Sunday for the 19th day of La Liga, and let slip the FC Barcelona, leaders with five points in advance after their 1-0 victory in Girona on Saturday, while Atlético edged Osasuna 1-0 to remain fourth.
Is Barça dealing a crushing blow to La Liga? After 19 days, the Catalans have widened a small gap, and can still widen it during the week, during their late match against Betis on Wednesday (9:00 p.m.), before Real against Valencia on Thursday evening.
After their important victory in the Madrid derby against Atlético on Thursday in the King’s Cup (3-1 ap), the Merengues, in difficulty since the end of the World Cup, stumbled on Sunday evening at the Bernabéu.
The players of the “White House” were led by a fair Karim Benzema and a restless Vinicius, who never ceased to sow danger in the Basque defense…
La Real solid third
From the 14th minute, he erased Igor Zubeldia with a small bridge but opened his left foot too much. Then in the 50th and 71st, he twice stumbled on Basque goalkeeper Alex Remiro after being subtly found by Benzema, who himself had a great chance just before the break, from a distance.
But not enough to weaken Real Sociedad, solid third in the championship (39 pts) and a surprise team at the start of the season in Spain.
It was the Basques who had the first good chance, in the 6th minute, on a cross from Aihen Munoz missed by Alexander Sorloth.
Despite this good draw hanging at the Bernabéu, Imanol Alguacil will have to monitor the state of health of Aritz Elustondo: the central defender had to give up his place in the 66th with the help of the healers, visibly injured in the right ankle after contact with high speed with Eduardo Camavinga, who came out unscathed.
Atlético do well in Pamplona
Atlético Madrid, for their part, overcame Osasuna 1-0 and remain in contact with the leading trio, five lengths from Real Sociedad.
Led by a fit Antoine Griezmann, the Colchoneros conceded a few chances in the second period, but managed to find the fault with an opening deep in the axis of Rodrigo de Paul, concluded from the right and in power by Saul Niguez (74th ).
It’s the first goal of the season for Saul, who returned to Madrid after a rather failed loan spell at Chelsea in 2021-22. It is also his first goal in La Liga for two years almost to the day (January 31, 2021 in Cadiz).
The Rojiblancos were also able to count on a particularly stirring Antoine Griezmann. The French international nearly opened the scoring just before the break, but Manu Sanchez blocked his attempt.
He had another chance in the 80th, but his left-footed ball hit the face of Osasuna goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.
