Barcelona keep motoring while Madrid win
Saturday, December 4, 2010
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FC Barcelona secured a 3-0 win at CA Osasuna in a game that had been in doubt to remain two points clear of Real Madrid CF, who beat Valencia CF 2-0 with a pair of Cristiano Ronaldo strikes.
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FC Barcelona began Saturday not knowing if their match at CA Osasuna would go ahead – but still secured a 3-0 win that keeps them two points in front of Real Madrid CF.
The air traffic controllers' strike in Spain meant Barcelona's trip was in peril but an overland journey got them to Pamplona in time to begin the match with only a 45 minute delay. And they maintained the form that had brought them 16 unanswered goals in their previous three fixtures, including Monday's 5-0 dismissal of Madrid, who themselves bounced back to beat Valencia CF 2-0.
Pedro Rodríguez gave Barcelona a 26th-minute lead after a fine pass by Lionel Messi, who then hit the post and eventually doubled the advantage midway through the second half following good work from David Villa. Messi struck again from the penalty spot late on after being fouled by Sergio Fernández.
Madrid took 73 minutes to break the deadlock against fifth-placed Valencia, but then two Cristiano Ronaldo goals, first turning in Mesut Özil's pass then producing a typically stylish finish complete with stepovers. It was a less happy Saturday for Club Atlético de Madrid, who remain in seventh after their third defeat in a week, losing 2-0 to Levante UD.
