Sevilla Edge Athletic 2-1 While Villarreal and Real Madrid Battle to a Draw in LaLiga
Sevilla defeated Athletic 2-1 in a close match, while Villarreal and Real Madrid drew 0-0 with Real Madrid facing tactical challenges from Tchouameni's suspension.
- • Sevilla won 2-1 against Athletic with goals from Robert Navarro and Akor Adams (penalty).
- • Villarreal and Real Madrid played a 0-0 draw at La Cerámica.
- • Real Madrid is second in LaLiga, one point behind Barcelona.
- • Real Madrid faces tactical challenges due to suspension of key midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni.
Key details
On January 24, 2026, key LaLiga matches showcased intense competition as Sevilla secured a 2-1 victory over Athletic Club, and Villarreal hosted Real Madrid in a goalless draw at La Cerámica.
At the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Sevilla triumphed 2-1 against Athletic Club in a tightly contested match witnessed by 34,642 fans. Robert Navarro opened the scoring for Sevilla in the 40th minute, only for Athletic's Peque to equalize two minutes later. The winning goal came from Akor Adams, who converted a penalty in the 56th minute. The match featured nearly equal possession, with Sevilla at 50.3% and Athletic at 49.7%. Sevilla registered 10 shots, seven on target, while Athletic had 15 but only three on goal. Francisco José Hernández Maeso officiated the match.
Meanwhile, the battle between Villarreal and Real Madrid at La Cerámica ended 0-0 in the 21st matchday clash. Villarreal, sitting third in the league-table, faced second-placed Real Madrid, who lagged just one point behind league leaders FC Barcelona following Barcelona's recent loss to Real Sociedad. Recent form saw Real Madrid coming off impressive wins including a 2-0 Levante win and a 6-1 Champions League thrashing of Monaco. Villarreal, conversely, had struggled recently with losses against Betis and Ajax. Both sides featured strong attacking lineups, with Villarreal's Buchanan and Gerard Moreno, and Real Madrid's Bellingham and Mbappé among key players. The match was fast-paced with aggressive midfield battles and saw Villarreal’s Foyth cautioned for a foul on Bellingham.
Real Madrid's coach Álvaro Arbeloa faced challenges due to the suspension of midfield anchor Aurélien Tchouameni. His absence contributed to Madrid’s winless streak in three matches, including draws against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, and a Copa del Rey defeat. Arbeloa has been experimenting with midfield formations using Camavinga, Güler, Bellingham, and others in Tchouameni's absence.
The results leave Sevilla bolstering their position, while Villarreal and Real Madrid continue their fierce pursuit of the LaLiga title. Barcelona's unexpected loss means the top three remain tightly contested as the season progresses.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
