Primera Liga match reports

Reports of Primera Liga soccer matches played on Sunday:

ALBACETE 1 ATHLETIC BILBAO 1

A point for Albacete was enough to move them further away from the relegation zone, while Bilbao at least stayed within striking distance of the European qualification slots.

The home side went ahead after 14 minutes with a 25-metre strike from Carlos Aranda but Bilbao levelled when Ismael Urzaiz chipped the ball forward for Santi Ezquerro to convert five minutes before the break.

BARCELONA 1 CELTA VIGO 1

Barcelona let slip another two home points thanks in part to a bad mistake from Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber, who failed to control a backpass from Carles Puyol in the 16th minute and let Savo Milosevic in to pass for Jesuli to side-foot home.

Barca created dozens of clear chances but found Celta keeper Pablo Cavallero in outstanding form and the referee in unforgiving mood, as Ronaldinho and Patrick Kluivert both had goals harshly ruled out.

Philip Cocu eventually bagged the equaliser, bundling in from a corner 20 minutes from time.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 2 ESPANYOL 1

Deportivo were poor for much of the first half but they gradually improved and did just enough to claim the points.

Jordi Cruyff put Espanyol 1-0 up around the quarter-hour after being set up by Alex Fernandez but, despite some neat play in midfield, they rarely looked like adding to their lead and Deportivo hit back in first-half injury-time.

Victor set up the goal with a free kick and Luque lashed in. Another long-range Luque shot provided the winner 20 minutes after the break, with Moreno Torricelli deflecting the ball past his keeper at the near post.

MURCIA 1 MALAGA 2

Malaga struck late to claim a victory that leaves Murcia second from bottom of the table.

Federico Insua put Malaga ahead with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box after 16 minutes, with Murcia equalising soon afterwards when David Karanka chested the ball down and beat Juan Calatayud.

A draw would have been a fair result but Manuel Canabal nabbed the points for Malaga as he latched on to a long punt forward and produced a calm finish.

OSASUNA 0 REAL ZARAGOZA 1

Osasuna had two players sent off on their way to defeat but they still finish the year in possession of the fourth Champions League place.

Moha was the first to go for Osasuna after handling the ball on the line in the 33rd minute and Zaragoza took advantage as David Villa tucked in the resulting penalty.

There were few clear chances for either side in a scrappy game that finished with Cesar Cruchaga picking up a second yellow card and subsequent expulsion for Osasuna.

REAL BETIS 1 VILLARREAL 3

A game that seemed to be heading for a dull draw exploded into life in the closing 15 minutes, with Villarreal enjoying the best of the action to continue their climb up the standings.

Sonny Anderson got the opener for Villarreal, tucking in a loose ball with 15 minutes to go, and Betis were in further trouble two minutes later when Daniel Lembo received his second yellow card.

The home side did manage an equaliser through Juanito but two late goals from Antonio Guayre gave Villarreal the points.

REAL MALLORCA 1 REAL MADRID 3

Real started poorly but finished in style to get the win they needed to close out the year as league leaders.

Fernando Correa took advantage of a mistake from Francisco Pavon in the Real defence to put Mallorca ahead early on but Raul headed the visitors back level in the first minute of injury-time.

Ronaldo struck 10 minutes after the break with an eye-catching solo goal and Luis Figo wrapped up the win from the penalty spot after the Brazilian had been brought down in the box on another run towards goal.