Real Sociedad look like they are beginning to take a firm grip on fourth place in La Liga after a 4-2 win over Málaga on Saturday.
Atlético Madrid 1-1 Valencia
Atlético Madrid could have regained second place in La Liga with a win while their opponents Valencia could have moved back above fifth placed Málaga, but their match on Sunday ended in a 1-1 draw. Both goals came in the first six minutes, Jonas scoring for Valencia, Falcao equalising for Atlético.
Back to business in La Liga
Málaga are back up to fifth in La Liga following a 1-3 win at Rayo Vallecano, although they could slip down again if Valencia beat Atlético Madrid on Sunday. Weligton, Baptista and Pedro Morales were on target for the Blue and Whites, Piti converting a penalty for Rayo.
Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona remain 13 points clear at the top of La Liga after a 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. David Villa opened the scoring and Lionel Messi added two more before Tamudo grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors.
Málaga CF 0-2 RCD Espanyol
Málaga CF drop to sixth place in La Liga after a 0-2 loss to RCD Espanyol at La Rosaleda. The Blue and Whites enjoyed most of the possession but, unlike Espanyol, failed to find the net and were punished with second half goals by Colotto and Sergio Garcia.
Valencia 3-0 Betis
Valencia are up to fourth place in La Liga pending Sunday’s matches after beating Betis 3-0. The visitors were down to ten men after just fifteen minutes when Amaya was dismissed for bringing down Soldado on the edge of the area.
Real Madrid 5-2 Mallorca
Real Madrid came back from 0-1 and 1-2 to finally overcome the Islanders 5-2, Higuaín grabbing two and Ronaldo, Modric and Benzema getting one each. Nsue and Alfaro were on target for Mallorca.
Real Madrid up to second spot
Valencia lost out on a chance to move into fourth place in La Liga after losing 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao, Muniain the scorer.
Another record for Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi continues to break records and set new standards, this time coming on as a substitute against Deportivo on Saturday to score in his 17th consecutive La Liga game to pass Pole Teodor Pewterek’s 1937-38 world record of scoring in 16 straight games for Ruch Chorzow.
Málaga 0-0 Atlético Madrid
A 0-0 draw between Málaga and Atlético Madrid did neither team any real harm, Málaga holding onto fourth place in La Liga and Atlético gaining a point on Barcelona, who lost to Real Madrid on Saturday.