Free-scoring Barcelona maintain two-point lead
Sunday, December 12, 2010
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There was no change at the top in the Liga after FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF both won, though fourth-placed RCD Espanyol were prevented from moving third by victorious Athletic Club.
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It is a case of as you were at the Liga summit after FC Barcelona responded to a win for Real Madrid CF with one of their own against Real Sociedad de Fútbol.
Madrid were top for all of a couple of hours thanks to a 3-1 triumph at struggling Real Zaragoza. Mesut Özil's finish through the goalkeeper's legs and a trademark free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo had the visitors in control at half-time. Ángel Di María (47) added a third before Gabi reduced the deficit from the spot.
Barcelona were also two up by the interval, through David Villa and Andrés Iniesta, in a 5-0 home victory over Sociedad. Lionel Messi scored the pick of the goals when he rounded off a 21-pass move with a precise finish on 47 minutes. He added another late on, taking him level with Ronaldo on 17 goals at the top of the scorers' charts.
Meanwhile, David López's free-kick (78) capped a 2-1 comeback win for Athletic Club at home to fourth-placed RCD Espanyol. Valencia CF, in fifth, host CA Osasuna on Monday. Elsewhere, Hércules CF overwhelmed Málaga CF 4-1, Óscar Serrano registered an added-time winner for Real Racing Club at RCD Mallorca, and Real Sporting de Gijón versus Levante UD finished 1-1.
