Madrid close in on Liga pacesetters

Real Madrid CF closed within three points of leading Liga duo FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid courtesy of a 1-0 victory at RCD Espanyol.

Saturday's goalless stalemate between the top two had handed Madrid the chance to boost their own title prospects and they duly seized it in Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti's men could not find a route to goal in the opening half, but they made their domination count ten minutes after the interval when Pepe headed in from the excellent Luka Modrić's free-kick. That proved to be the only strike of the game as the Merengues moved on to 47 points.

Also on Sunday, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid bolstered their survival hopes with a 1-0 win at Getafe CF, Alberto Bueno registering on 29 minutes to move the second-bottom side within two points of safety. Elsewhere, CA Osasuna climbed up to 12th via a 2-1 success at bottom club Real Betis Balompié, despite losing goalkeeper Andrés Fernández to a red card on the hour. In the late game, Levante UD overcame Málaga CF 1-0.