Rakitic's late goal puts Sevilla top in Spain; Atlético wins
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Ivan Rakitic´s stoppage-time goal lifted Sevilla to the top of the Spanish league on Saturday after fighting back for a 2-2 home draw with Alavés.
Atlético Madrid also needed a late goal by center back Felipe Monteiro to edge Osasuna 1-0 at home.
Alavés was poised to get only its second-ever victory at Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium when Rakitic fired home a ball that fell to him from a poorly defended cross.
The draw left Sevilla ahead of Real Sociedad on goal difference. Sociedad plays Valencia on Sunday, when Real Madrid can also move ahead of Sevilla if it wins at Granada.
Defender Víctor Laguardia powered in a header from a corner kick to give Alavés the fifth-minute lead.
Lucas Ocampos equalized for Sevilla in the 38th, but his handball allowed Joselu Mato to put the visitors back ahead in first-half injury time from the penalty spot.
Heavy rain bogged down the pitch and made it difficult for Sevilla to deploy its more talented attack in the second half.
"It wasn´t easy considering how the field was with the rain," Rakitic said. "It is a valuable point."
ATLÉTICO STAYS CLOSE
Diego Simeone had loaded Atlético's starting 11 with attacking players led by Antoine Griezmann, but Osasuna´s stubborn defense had the visitors three minutes from earning a point in the capital.
That was when Felipe jumped high at the near post to slice a cross by Yannick Carrasco into the opposite side of the net and grab the winner.
Carrasco almost added a second goal in stoppage time when Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera was caught off his line, only for the shot from deep to hit the post.
The win left fourth-place Atlético one point behind Real Madrid in third.
Atlético hosts AC Milan on Wednesday in a match that it needs to win to boost its chances of advancing from a tough Champions League group that includes Liverpool and Porto.
WINLESS AWAY
Villarreal stayed winless on the road in seven league games this season after Celta Vigo came from behind for a 1-1 draw.
Later, Xavi Hernández debuts as Barcelona's coach in a derby against Espanyol.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
___
More AP Europe sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports-europe and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
