Real Madrid's lead shrinks to four points

Updated: 2012-04-09 13:53

(Xinhua)

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MADRID - Real Madrid's lead at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga was reduced to just four points following the 31st round of games this weekend.

Real Madrid's lead shrinks to four points

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a chance to score against Valencia during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid April 8, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Real Madrid drew 0-0 with third placed Valencia in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday night in a thrilling game that deserved more goals.

However, some fine work by Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and his Madrid counterpart Iker Casillas as well as the woodwork assured a clean sheet and Barcelona's 4-1 win away to Zaragoza on Saturday means the Catalans have narrowed Madrid's lead from 10 points a month ago, to just four with seven games remaining this season.

Although Barcelona were below their best on Saturday, they still had too much firepower for a spirited Zaragoza. Barca keeper Victor Valdes saved a penalty from Carlos Aranda, four minutes before Aranda put the home side ahead just before the half hour.

Zaragoza's lead lasted just six minutes before Carles Puyol equalized and Leo Messi scored his first of the night following a smart run and powerful shot just before the break.

Zaragoza then saw midfielder Abraham sent off but dug deep and it was not until five minutes from the end that Messi scored a penalty to assure the points.

Pedro Rodriguez scored a fourth goal in injury time to give the final result a sheen Barca's display didn't really deserve.

Sunday kicked off with Levante's incredible season continuing thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid. Valdo and Aruna Kone scored both goals in the first 10 minutes and Atletico were unable to respond.

The result means Levante will sleep in the top four and maintain their chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Athletic Club Bilbao recovered their league form with a 1-0 home win against Sevilla thanks to a Fernando Llorente header, while Mallorca and Granada produced a dull 0-0 draw which edges both sides closer to Primera Liga safety.

Saturday's games saw Rayo Vallecano return to form with a 6-0 thrashing of Osasuna with two goals from Michu. Jose Movilla had opened the scoring, while Diego Costa and Emilio Armenteros also scored as Rayo virtually assured their survival in the top flight.

Carlos Vela put Real Sociedad 2-0 up after 13 minutes away to Espanyol, but the home side scraped a draw thanks to an own goal and a strike from Vladimir Weiss.

Meanwhile Getafe deepened Sporting Gijon's misery at the foot of the table with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Miku and Diego Castro.

Finally, Betis had a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Villarreal. Roque Santa Cruz, Ruben Castro, Benat Etxebarria all scored against a rival still in danger of relegation.

Malaga play struggling Racing Santander on Monday night.

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