Primera Liga reports

Brief reports of matches played in the Primera Liga on Sunday:

ALBACETE 2 ESPANYOL 1

Albacete came from behind to earn their first points in four outings and a morale-boosting win over fellow strugglers Espanyol, who remain anchored to the bottom of the table.

Espanyol took the lead when Raul Tamudo turned in a fine cross from fellow striker Maxi Rodriguez, but it all went pear-shaped for the Catalans in the final minute of the first half when defender Toni Soldevilla conceded a penalty and was then sent off for a challenge on Carlos Aranda.

The Albacete striker duly converted his spot kick to level the score and then secured the win midway through the second half when he rounded Espanyol keeper Toni and guided in from a tight angle.

ATHLETIC BILBAO 1 RACING SANTANDER 2

Athletic missed out on their chance to keep hold of a Champions League berth when they surrendered an early lead to the attack-minded Cantabrians.

Young midfielder Jonan Garcia put Athletic into the lead on eight minutes with a low drive from the edge of the area, but Racing striker Rodolfo Bodipo equalised just before the break when he scored a Ronaldo-style goal, fending off a defender and drilling in at the near post.

Athletic spurned several good chances to restore their lead and were made to pay when Uruguayan winger Mario Regueiro guided in from 20 metres after a Bodipo shot rebounded to his feet.

BARCELONA 0 VALLADOLID 0

Barca once again failed to prove that they can perform without injured playmaker Ronaldinho as they were held by a stubborn Valladolid side, who are now undefeated in six games.

The Catalans had the lion's share of possession but lacked any real imagination or spark in attack and although they peppered the Valladolid goal with shots they were rarely on target and when they were keeper Albano Bizzarri kept them at bay with some sharp saves.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0 VILLARREAL 1

Villarreal frustrated Depor's plans to regain top spot thanks to a last-gasp goal from midfielder Roger who steered home a pin-point pass from defender Rodolfo Arruabarrena.

Depor had the better of a cagey, tactical battle at a rain-drenched Riazor, but were dealt a blow when midfield enforcer Mauro Silva was sent off for a second booking just before halftime.

Despite the setback, the Galicians continued to dominate after the break, but Roger delivered the knockout blow for the visitors a minute from time.

REAL MALLORCA 2 REAL BETIS 1

Mallorca continued their revival under coach Luis Aragones when a brilliantly taken double from Alejandro Campano secured them a their third victory in a row. The midfielder guided in a stylish volley at the far post midway through the first half and although Betis drew level with a deflected shot from Argentine striker Martin Palermo, he gave his side the three points when he fired an unstoppable right-foot rocket into the far corner seven minutes from time.

SEVILLA 0 CELTA VIGO 1

Former Sevilla player Jesuli scored the only goal of the game against his old side when he smacked in from the edge of the area to give Celta their first win in five outings.

The Galicians had to endure a nervous final half hour, though, after they were reduced to 10 men when defender Eduardo Berizzo was sent off for picking up a second booking for a challenge on Sevilla forward Antonito.

Sevilla also lost a player a minute before time, Uruguayan striker German Hornos receiving a red card after he lashed out at Celta keeper Pablo Cavallero for time wasting.

Played Saturday:

ATLETICO MADRID 2 MALAGA 0

Atletico recorded their sixth win in seven matches thanks to some fine finishing from midfielder Gonzalo de los Santos and Greek striker Demis Nikolaidis as well as some sharp goalkeeping from the alert German Burgos.

Former Malaga player De los Santos scored his first goal for Atletico with an unstoppable volley on six minutes. Just as the visitors looked as though they might fight their way back into the match, Nikolaidis put the result beyond doubt by cracking home on the turn midway through the second half.

MURCIA 2 REAL SOCIEDAD 2

Murcia produced a determined performance to twice come from behind and claim a well-deserved draw against fellow strugglers Sociedad.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play when midfielder Igor Gabilondo curled in a perfectly struck free kick from the edge of the area on 30 minutes but Murcia levelled early in the second half with a carbon copy goal from leading striker Luis Garcia.

Murcia had no time to celebrate as forward Oscar de Paula restored Sociedad's lead less than a minute later with a neat volley. However, Joaquin Peiro's side were rewarded for their persistence when David Karanka equalised once more with a fine glancing header on 69 minutes.

OSASUNA 1 REAL MADRID 1

Ronaldo came to the rescue for Real with a 74th-minute strike that allowed them to scrape a barely-deserved draw against a dominant Osasuna.

The Navarrans made a whirlwind start, taking the lead after 11 minutes when Ivory Coast striker Ibrahima Bakayoko checked inside Ivan Helguera and fired a left-foot shot past goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

They enjoyed a host of further scoring chances but were unable to finish them off and ultimately paid the price when David Beckham threaded a perfect through pass to the feet of Ronaldo, who outsprinted the Osasuna defence and then tucked home to score his 10th goal of the season.

VALENCIA 3 REAL ZARAGOZA 2

Valencia looked as though they might run away with it as they raced into a 3-0 lead by halftime but they had to endure a nervous finish after Zaragoza fought their way back to make it 3-2 with just over 10 minutes to go.

Jorge Lopez opened the scoring for Valencia with a superb individual effort, Vicente clipped in soon after when he picked up a rebound from a Pablo Aimar shot and the gifted Argentine weighed in himself with a spectacular curler on the stroke of halftime.

But Zaragoza made sure of an exciting finish when they hit back after the break with well worked strikes from centre forward David Villa and midfielder Cani.