Real Madrid squeezed past Valencia 2-3 in a tight match, all the goals coming in the second half.
Higuaín opened the scoring for Real in the 54th minute, heading home a cross from Benzema, but the lead only lasted seven minutes as David Villa got on the end of a Matieu cross and calmly headed the ball into the net.
Four minutes later, Higuaín got his second of the night to put Real ahead once more. Joaquín levelled the scores after Casillas deflected his shot into the goal but three minutes later Real were back on top as Garay headed in a Xavi Alonso free kick.
Barcelona played host to Espanyol and a single goal, a penalty, was all that separated the two teams. Ibrahimovic continued his impressive run, converting the penalty after a bit of shirt tugging inside the area.