By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Adrian Colunga scored twice in the final 20 minutes as Getafe claimed a 2-0 win at Espanyol on Sunday.
The home side sustained its first defeat of the season in midweek to Villarreal, and Colunga's second-half brace handed them a second setback in quick succession, while Getafe moves into the top half of the league.
Colunga was dangerous throughout the game as Getafe had the better chances in the opening 45 minutes, although the match remained scoreless.
Joan Capdevila nearly put Espanyol ahead after the break with a wonderful volley that forced a diving save from goalkeeper Miguel Moya.
But Colunga instead fired his side in front shortly after the introduction of substitute Pablo Sarabia, who was instrumental in both goals.
Sarabia set up the first five minutes after entering the match, and Getafe stayed in front thanks to a goal line clearance from Lopez Rafa on a header from Espanyol's Diego Colotto.
Colunga then secured the win in stoppage time when he scored from Sarabia's pass after the substitute pulled the ball back from the end line.
Real Betis 1, Villarreal 0
Seville, Spain - Villarreal squandered a chance to climb into third place on Sunday as the team suffered its first defeat of the season, a 1-0 setback at Real Betis to a first-half goal from Nosa Igiebor.
The home side fully deserved all three points as they took the game to the Yellow Submarine, and Igiebor made the most of a chance in the 36th minute when he followed up Joan Verdu's parried shot to score on the rebound.
Neither side was able to put together any sustained pressure in the second half, but Villarreal did have a late penalty appeal turned down when Javier Aquino appeared to be taken down by Real Betis defender Antonio Amaya inside the area.
But the referee wasn't interested and Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral was sent off in the closing stage of the game.
Levante 1, Osasuna 0
Navarra, Spain - Osasuna lost for the sixth time in seven games on Sunday as the club dropped a 1-0 decision at home to Levante courtesy of an 88th-minute goal from Jordi Xumetra.
Osasuna controlled the play for long periods of the game, but the home side gave away a penalty kick in the 87th minute when Jordan Loties fouled Levante's Ruben Garcia inside the penalty area.
Papakouli Diop's spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Andres Fernandez, but Xumetra was quickest to react and he scored on the rebound.
Levante extends its unbeaten streak to six games since losing to Barcelona on the opening weekend of the season.
Elche 1, Celta Vigo 0
Vigo, Spain - Elche claimed its first win of the season on Sunday with a 1-0 road triumph at Celta Vigo thanks to a second-half goal from Javier Marquez.
The win is Elche's first in the top flight since the club's last appearance in the 1988-89 season, while Celta has lost three of its last four games in La Liga.
Elche midfielder Gil Vicent struck the post just before halftime, but his team made the most of a rare chance in the second half to snatch the win.
Marquez raced into the area and drove a low shot across the face of goal past goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez and into the net off the far post.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/colungas-second-half-brace-powers-getafe-past-espanyol