La Liga Table 2018: Sunday's Week 27 Results and Updated Standings

Barcelona moved eight points clear at the top of La Liga after a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Valencia were also winners as they beat Real Betis 2-0 at the Mestalla Stadium, while Real Sociedad beat Alaves. The day's only other game saw Espanyol rescue a point at Levante thanks to a stoppage-time goal

Here's a look at Sunday's La Liga results, the updated table and a recap of the action.

Sunday's Results

Levante 1-1 Espanyol

Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad 2-1 Alaves

Valencia 2-0 Real Betis

La Liga Table

1. Barcelona: 69

2. Atletico Madrid: 61

3. Real Madrid: 54

4. Valencia: 53

5. Sevilla: 45

6. Villarreal: 41

7. Girona: 40

8. Eibar: 39

9. Real Betis: 37

10. Getafe: 36

11. Celta Vigo: 35

12. Real Sociedad: 33

13. Leganes: 33

14. Athletic Bilbao: 32

15. Espanyol: 32

16. Alaves: 31

17. Levante: 21

18. Las Palmas: 20

19. Deportivo La Coruna: 19

20. Malaga: 13

Full standings are available, per BBC Sport.

Sunday Recap

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde opted to start both Philippe Coutinho and Andres Iniesta against Atletico Madrid. The hosts began the game brightly and dominated possession in the early stages with Atletico happy to sit back and play on the counter.

Valverde's side then took the lead on 26 minutes after they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Lionel Messi stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and past a diving Jan Oblak with his left foot.

ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden noted how it was the third game in a row in which he'd scored from a free-kick:

The goal was also Messi's 600th for club and country:

Barca were the better side for the rest of the first half, but they suffered a blow as they lost Iniesta to injury. Andre Gomes replaced the midfielder.

Atletico were vastly improved after the break but struggled to create many chances. Their first effort on goal did not come until the hour mark and was comfortable for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as shown by ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

Barcelona did manage to get the ball in the net again, but Luis Suarez saw his effort correctly ruled out for offside. Atletico also had an effort chalked off, as substitute Kevin Gameiro fired home from close range late on, but again it was correctly disallowed for offside.

Opta showed why Barcelona will now have real belief they can claim the title:

It's a huge win for the league leaders as they reinforce their place at the top of the table. Messi was again the difference, but Barca were also able to control the game and ensure in-form forwards Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa barely had a chance.

Valencia remain just one point behind Real Madrid in third after a comfortable win over Real Betis. Rodrigo Moreno opened the scoring for the hosts after a quick break. Goncalo Guedes picked out the striker with a glorious ball, and he curled it past goalkeeper Antonio Adan.

Scouted Football showed just how good Guedes' pass was:

Valencia then suffered a blow as Santi Mina was forced off with injury in the first half. Football writer Andrew Gaffney highlighted what a loss he would be:

Simone Zaza replaced Mina, and he added Valencia's second just two minutes after the break. Geoffrey Kondogbia dinked a ball over the defence, and the substitute coolly slotted home. 

It's now five games without defeat for Marcelino's side, who look to be back in form after some poor results in December and January.

Earlier in the day Levante were denied victory over Espanyol as Leo Baptistao equalised in the 91st minute. 

Espanyol lost goalkeeper Diego Lopez to a nasty head injury just before half-time as he clashed with Armando Sadiku. Lopez was knocked unconscious and was stretchered off and taken to hospital.

Levante went ahead early in the second half after winning a penalty as Marc Navarro fouled Erick Cabaco. Jose Luis Morales Nogales converted the spot-kick to put the hosts ahead.

The hosts looked on course for a vital three points, which would have given their survival hopes a boost until Baptistao's late and crucial intervention. Levante announced after the game they had sacked coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz, per La Liga:

"

.@LevanteUD announce the club has parted ways with coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muñiz.#LaLigaSantander https://t.co/GOzC3DOS78

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 4, 2018"

Levante have gone 15 games without a win and are just a point above the bottom three. The club will hope a new coach can bring an end to their poor run and keep them in the Spanish top flight.