Osasuna wins 2-1 at Almeria to escape drop zone

ALMERIA, Spain (AP) Osasuna won 2-1 at Almeria to escape the Spanish league's relegation zone and push the hosts into danger on Friday.

Osasuna's first win in seven games lifted it from 18th into a provisional 14th place among a group of teams fighting to avoid the drop.

Almeria fell into the bottom three spots destined for the second division along with Valladolid and Real Betis before they play this weekend.

Osasuna striker Oriol Riera opened the scoring in the 19th, followed by Alejandro Arribas heading home a second goal in the 33rd.

Almeria's Fernando Soriano pulled one back in the 73rd, but Osasuna held on for the much-needed victory.

Rafael Ramos picked up two late yellow cards to leave Almeria with 10 men in stoppage time.

"We had played six games and only taken a point, so we needed this," Arribas said. "And against this rival it feels even better."

Atletico Madrid leads the league entering the 32nd of 38 rounds and hosts Villarreal on Saturday. Barcelona is one point behind before hosting Betis. Real Madrid is three points adrift before it visits Real Sociedad.