Spanish first division reports
Brief reports of Spanish first division matches played this weekend:
Brief reports of Spanish first division matches played this weekend:
Played Sunday:
ESPANYOL 3 ALAVES 1
Espanyol took a giant stride towards ensuring their survival in the top flight as Alaves slipped closer to relegation.
Savo Milosevic scored either side of halftime to give Espanyol the lead. Alaves pulled one back when Carlos Llorens netted from the spot, but they were reduced to 10 men when Jesus Angel Turiel was dismissed. Argentine striker Maxi Rodriguez completed their misery when he headed in a third in injury time.
MALAGA 0 REAL SOCIEDAD 2
Sociedad looked nervous as they took on a determined Malaga, knowing that only a win would keep them ahead of Real Madrid in the title race.
The Andalucians put up stiff resistance until midfielder Sandro was sent off for a second booking 16 minutes after the break, but Sociedad took advantage when midfielder Igor Gabilondo headed in from an Aitor Lopez Rekarte cross.
Serbian striker Darko Kovacevic made sure of victory two minutes from time when he finished off a great individual run with a delicate chip to score his 19th goal of the season.
REAL BETIS 2 VALLADOLID 2
Betis twice came from behind to scrape a draw that effectively put an end to their UEFA Cup chances.
Midfielder Gonzalo Colsa put Valladolid in front but Romanian defender Iulian Filipescu levelled with a powerful header. Colsa headed in his second from a free kick before striker Dani grabbed the equaliser.
Valladolid, who are now almost sure of top flight survival, had defender Jonathan sent off in injury time.
REAL MALLORCA 1 SEVILLA 3
Mallorca missed their chance to close on Athletic Bilbao in the race for a UEFA Cup place after they let slip an early lead.
Samuel Eto'o put Mallorca ahead on 14 minutes but the islanders were dealt a double blow before the break when Antonito equalised and Harold Lozano was dismissed. Jose Antonio Reyes gave Sevilla the lead early in the second half and supplied Antonito with his second eight minutes from time.
RECREATIVO HUELVA 1 BARCELONA 3
Recreativo look destined for the drop after this defeat, while Barca remain four points adrift of a UEFA Cup place.
Javier Saviola put the Catalans ahead two minutes before the break and Patrick Kluivert added a second after the restart.
Riquelme put the victory beyond doubt with a classy curler six minutes from time. Striker Joaozinho claimed a late consolation for Recre, but they will need a minor miracle if they are to escape the drop.
Played Saturday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 RACING SANTANDER 1
A last gasp penalty from striker Ismael Urzaiz kept Athletic on course for a place in next season's UEFA Cup but Racing are still not safe from relegation.
Bilbao fell behind early in the second half when Pedro Munitis scored, but the Basque side drew level nine minutes later when unmarked defender Aitor Karanka volleyed in at the far post from a corner. The game looked destined for a draw until Urzaiz blasted home from the spot two minutes from time.
ATLETICO MADRID 3 VILLARREAL 2
Substitute Fernando Torres was the hero for Atletico with a second-half double that ensured them a valuable comeback win.
Javi Calleja opened for Villarreal on 13 minutes. Keeper Pepe Reina then conceded an own goal when he missed a gentle back pass to gift Atletico an equaliser.
Midfielder Josico restored Villarreal's lead with a close range strike, but Torres had the final word when he fired in from the edge of the area on 70 minutes and followed it up with a second four minutes later.
CELTA VIGO 3 DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0
Celta dealt a major blow to Galician rivals Deportivo's title hopes with a comprehensive win which also gave them the edge over Valencia in the race for the final Champions League berth.
Jesuli's fine diving header gave Celta the lead 13 minutes after the break and fellow midfielder Edu added a second when he nodded in soon after.
The Brazilian claimed his second when he poked in from close range after Depor keeper Jose Molina failed to hold a Mostovoi free kick. Depor's disappointment was compounded when Roy Makaay missed a penalty just before the final whistle.
RAYO VALLECANO 0 OSASUNA 0
Rayo are staring relegation in the face after this goalless draw with fellow strugglers Osasuna.
The modest Madrid-based side must win their remaining three matches and hope that Osasuna fail to gain a single point in theirs if they are to complete a near miraculous escape.
Rayo were reduced to 10 men shortly before the final whistle when midfielder Iriney Santos was dismissed but held out to prevent an immediate return to the second division.
VALENCIA 1 REAL MADRID 2
World and European Player of the Year Ronaldo lived up to his billing with a sparkling performance at the Mestalla that helped Real keep the pressure on Sociedad at the top of the table.
The Brazilian opened the scoring with a rare headed goal on 26 minutes. Valencia struck back six minutes later through Fabio Aurelio.
But Ronaldo sealed a precious away victory for Vicente del Bosque's side with a brilliantly taken winner midway through the second half.