Brief reports of Primera Liga matches played on Sunday:
ALAVES 0 ATHLETIC BILBAO 0
The two strugglers seemed more concerned about avoiding defeat that going for victory in a surprisingly passionless Basque derby with few clear scoring chances.
ATLETICO MADRID 0 CELTA VIGO 3
Atletico's hopes of a European place effectively went up in smoke with this heavy defeat at home to sixth-placed Celta.
Argentine defender Matias Lequi put the Galicians in front against his former side when he headed in from a corner 20 minutes from time.
Atletico's run of ill-fortune continued when the referee awarded a penalty after Celta striker Iriney tripped over his own feet in the area and when Leo Franco saved Fernando Baiano's spot kick he ordered it to be retaken with the Br azilian scoring at the second attempt.
Dutch forward Daniel de Ridder wrapped up a flattering win with a breakaway goal four minutes into stoppage time.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA 2 RACING SANTANDER 0
Deportivo overcame their poor run of form at home to claim their sixth win of the season at the Riazor and renew their bid for a place in the UEFA Cup.
Left back Joan Capdevila gave the Galicians the lead when he stabbed in across the line after Victor had flicked on a corner in the 20th minute and striker Iago rifled in from 10 metres out early in the second half after a fine cut-back from defender Manuel Pablo.
OSASUNA 0 GETAFE 4
Osasuna lost ground in the hunt for the Champions League places with this heavy defeat.
Serbian striker Veljko Paunovic put the visitors in front when he powered in a header after a corner 10 minutes before the break and midfielder Angel Vivar Dorado extended the lead three minutes later when he netted a rebound.
Paunovic completed his double with a fine low finish early in the second half and full back Mariano slotted home to finish off a lethal counter-attack on 63 minutes.
REAL BETIS 2 SEVILLA 1
Betis got the better of their city rivals in a typically intense city derby and earned themselves three points that allowed them to pull clear of the relegation zone.
They took the lead after 15 minutes with a Robert penalty. Argentine striker Javier Saviola equalised for the visitors with a sharp turn and shot but defender Fernado Varela earned Betis the win with a thundering first-time strike from the edge of the area just before halftime.
REAL MALLORCA 0 ESPANYOL 0
Stalemate at Son Moix as the two strugglers fought out an uninspiring goalless draw that dragged them closer to the relegation zone.
Both teams were desperately short of ideas in attack and the best chance of the match did not come until 13 minutes from time when Espanyol midfielder Coro had a shot cleared off the line.
VALENCIA 5 CADIZ 3
Valencia claimed their first win in seven outings with this entertaining victory at the Mestalla.
Striker David Villa broke his recent goal drought when he headed in with less than two minutes on the clock, only to see his side's lead cancelled out by Cadiz midfielder Enrique soon after.
Midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo restored Valencia's advantage with a classy dinked finish shortly after the half hour and two minutes later defender David Navarro headed in to make it 3-1.
Angulo drilled in for his second after the break and Villa took his tally for the season to 18 with another close range finish with a goal that was sandwiched between two great strikes from Cadiz midfielder Jonathan Sesma.
Played Saturday:
BARCELONA 1 REAL MADRID 1
Real salvaged some measure of pride after a 3-0 humiliation at the Bernabeu earlier this season as they came from a goal down and a sending off to earn a draw at their arch-rivals.
Barca took the lead through a Ronaldinho penalty in the 22nd minute after Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel went down easily in the area under a challenge from Roberto Carlos.
Real's Br azilian defender lost his cool as a result of the decision and was sent off minutes later after saying something to the referee.
But Real snatched a draw with a classy individual goal from Ronaldo, who roared on to a clever through-ball from fellow Br azilian Julio Baptista and netted with a deft chip eight minutes before the break.
REAL SOCIEDAD 3 MALAGA 0
Welcome relief for struggling Sociedad and a costly defeat for basement side Malaga, who ended the game with nine men after the dismissal of midfielder Juan Rodriguez and striker Richard Morales.
Reserve team defender Ion Ansotegi opened his league account with a header 10 minutes before the break. Dane Morten Skoubo netted a rebound in the 68th from a Mark Gonzalez free kick less than a minute after Rodriguez received his marching orders.
Midfielder Xabi Prieto added a third with a classy chip into the net eight minutes from time.
REAL ZARAGOZA 0 VILLARREAL 1
A flattering first win in five outings for Manuel Pellegrini's side, who appeared to have their minds on Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Inter Milan.
The visitors were on the ropes for most of the game, but snatched victory on the stroke of halftime when midfielder Roger caught keeper Cesar off guard with a dipping free kick from five metres outside the area.