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| Lucas Ocampos of Sevilla scores their team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Cadiz CF and Sevilla FC at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on January 03, 2022 in Cadiz, Spain. |
Sevilla have cut into Real Madrid's La Liga advantage with a 1-0 victory at Cadiz while Oihan Sancet scored a hat-trick for Athletic Bilbao in their 3-1 win at Osasuna.
A second-half goal from Lucas Ocampos was enough for Sevilla to move within five points of Real -- who have played one game more.
Real lost at Getafe on Sunday, a defeat that ended an unbeaten run of 15 games across all competitions.
Joan Jordan hit the post early for Sevilla, who were missing seven players due to COVID-19 infections while defender Jules Kounde was suspended and Suso, Erik Lamela and Jesus Navas were recovering from injury.
Ocampos broke through Cadiz's tightly packed defence in the 58th minute.
Ivan Romero controlled a loose ball in the area, slipped a pass to Ivan Rakitic, who used one touch to find Ocampos to score from an angle.
"Considering all the players we were missing, we are happy," Ocampos said.
He dedicated his goal to his wife who was self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.
Sevilla opened up an eight-point gap over third-placed Real Betis while champions Atletico Madrid are another point back in fourth.
Cadiz are second-to-last.
Bilbao may have found the solution to their troubles in front of goal with Sancet, an attacking midfielder, getting all three of their goals against Osasuna.
His treble came after he scored his first goal of the season in Bilbao's previous game -- a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.
Villarreal demolished last-placed Levante 5-0 with Gerard Moreno on target twice as the Yellow Submarine made it six straight wins across all competitions.
Levante remained winless in all 19 league games, and are eight points from safety.
