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Real hold Barca with Ronaldo goal

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-02 11:07

MADRID, April 1 - A classy solo goal by Brazilian striker Ronaldo and some outstanding goalkeeping from Iker Casillas helped 10-man Real Madrid come from behind to hold leaders Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

	Barcelona's Ronaldinho celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Madrid during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain April 1, 2006. [Reuters]

The result did little to stop Barca's progress towards a second consecutive league title, however, as they remain a comfortable 11 points clear of their arch-rivals at the top of the table with seven games left to play.

Real fell behind to a controversial Ronaldinho penalty midway through the first half and suffered another setback soon after when Roberto Carlos, who had conceded the spot kick, was red carded minutes later for saying something to the referee.

But Real, who were crushed 3-0 by Barca at the Bernabeu this season, salvaged a draw and some pride when Ronaldo roared on to a clever through-ball from Julio Baptista and netted with a deft chip eight minutes before the break.

Earlier on Saturday, Villarreal warmed up for next week's Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Inter Milan when they secured their first Primera Liga win in five outings with a 1-0 victory at Real Zaragoza.

The win pushed Manuel Pellegrini's side up one place to seventh, while Cup finalists Zaragoza remain 10th.

At the other end, basement club Malaga look to be heading for relegation after a 3-0 defeat by fellow strugglers Real Sociedad.

HIGH TEMPO

Barca were welcomed on to the pitch by a spectacular crimson and blue mosaic held up by the 98,000 fans at the Nou Camp and they responded with a high-tempo start.

Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel gave Casillas a couple of early scares and leading striker Samuel Eto'o almost put the Catalans ahead with a vicious low drive but his shot was beaten away by the alert Real keeper.

Barca proceeded to pour through the Real midfield almost at will, although they took the lead in controversial circumstances after Van Bommel engineered a penalty when he easily went to ground under a Roberto Carlos challenge.