Primera Liga reports

Brief reports of Primera Liga soccer matches played on Sunday:

ATLETICO MADRID 2 SEVILLA 1

Atletico Madrid retained the fourth Champions League slot after extending their unbeaten run to six matches.

Fernando Torres notched his 12th goal of the season when he put the finishing touch to a slick passing move three minutes before the break and Greek strike partner Demis Nikolaidis added a second with a brave header from an Ariel Ibagaza free kick on 71 minutes.

But Atletico had to endure a nervous final quarter after Jose Antonio Reyes pulled one back from the penalty spot awarded for a foul on striker German Hornos.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 4 REAL ZARAGOZA 1

Deportivo made up ground at the top of the table after coming from behind to claim this comprehensive win over their relegation-threatened opponents.

The Galicians made an unfortunate start to the match when Juan Carlos Valeron turned into his own net on five minutes, but the talented playmaker more than atoned for his error when he helped set up striker Diego Tristan for the equaliser.

Valeron put Depor into the lead with a fine glancing header soon after the break and Tristan then grabbed his second when he got his head to an expert cross from Albert Luque.

Midfielder Sergio wrapped up a comfortable win by guiding in a perfect pass from Walter Pandiani four minutes from time.

OSASUNA 1 ALBACETE 1

Osasuna can count themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points after Albacete somehow managed to survive their second-half onslaught.

Albacete took an early lead when midfielder Laurent Viaud cracked in from the edge of the area after some hesitant Osasuna defending, but Osasuna hit back before the break when Australian striker John Aloisi poked in from close range after Valdo had hit the post with a glancing header.

REAL MALLORCA 1 RACING SANTANDER 1

Mallorca gained their first point in five matches after this evenly balanced match at Son Moix.

Midfielder Gonzalo Colsa gave Mallorca the lead at the start of the second half when he looped a header into the far corner after a Txomin Nagore free kick.

But Racing pulled level 15 minutes from time when Uruguayan forward Mario Regueiro clipped in over Leo Franco's head after a pin-point cross from young midfielder Jonathan.

REAL BETIS 1 REAL MADRID 1

Ronaldo came to the rescue of Real Madrid when he conjured up a brilliant individual second half strike to save the champions from a second league defeat in a row.

Betis dominated for most of the game and took a thoroughly deserved lead on 33 minutes when live-wire winger Joaquin volleyed in from eight metres out after Iker Casillas had parried a Fernando shot into his path.

Real were always on the back foot, but Ronaldo earned them a point when he raced on to a fine through-ball from Zinedine Zidane, shimmied his way past keeper Pedro Contreras and scored from a tight angle 15 minutes into the second half.

REAL SOCIEDAD 3 ESPANYOL 1

Real Sociedad moved up towards the safety of mid-table with a third win in a row and put an end to Espanyol's mini revival in the process.

Valery Karpin was the star of the show at Anoeta as he gave Sociedad an early lead from the penalty spot and made his side's second for fellow midfielder Igor Gabilondo in the 85th minute.

Turkish forward Nihat Kahveci put the result beyond doubt when he drilled past Espanyol keeper Erwin Lemmens after racing clear a minute from time. Forward Jordi Cruyff pulled one back for the visitors at the death, but it was little consolation for Luis Fernandez's team.

VILLARREAL 2 MALAGA 0

Villarreal continued their challenge for a European place with a fine home win over tricky opponents Malaga.

Defender Rodolfo Arruabarrena opened the scoring midway through the second half when he turned in at the far post after a fine cross from Antonio Guayre.

Brazilian striker Sonny Anderson made sure of the victory seven minutes from time with a deft first-time chip over the head of keeper Juan Calatayud after a pass from fellow forward Victor.