Barcelona and Real Madrid both win
(sportsnetwork.com)
Updated: 2005-04-18 09:13

Barcelona posted a crucial 2-0 win over Getafe after Real Madrid had already recorded a victory in its La Liga match earlier in the day on Sunday.

Real Madrid's Brazilian player Ronaldo celebrates his goal with team mates Cesar Sanchez, left, and Santiago Solari of Argentina during a Spanish league soccer match. Real Madrid won the game 2-0. [AP]

Real Madrid received two goals from Ronaldo in a 2-0 win at Levante, temporarily reducing Barca's lead to just three points. But Frank Rijkaard's side took care of business Sunday night at Camp Nou to push its lead back up to six.

Ronaldinho and Ludovic Giuly each scored for Barcelona in the victory. Both players now have seven league strikes this season.

Ronaldinho's goal came in the 30th minute on a free kick. He then set up Giuly with a nifty through-ball for Barca's second goal. Giuly made no mistakes and chipped over the charging Getafe goalkeeper to double Barca's lead.

Ronaldo scored his first goal just several minutes before halftime after Michel Salgado made a solid run. Salgado carried the ball down the wing and sent a cross over to the Brazilian star, who whirled and fired into the corner of the net for his first goal of the match.

It was a great individual effort from Ronaldo that created the second goal and gave the Merengues some breathing room. He picked up the ball at midfield, maneuvered around a defender and then the goalkeeper, and fired home to double the margin.

In the battle for La Liga's other Champions League spots next season, Villareal's scoreless draw with Real Betis moved it even on points with Sevilla for third place. Betis is now just one point back of the two teams after the draw.

Last seasons' champions Valencia also finished in a scoreless draw at Mallorca and now sits in seventh place with 49 points, three behind Villareal and Betis.

In other La Liga action on Sunday, Real Zaragoza had no trouble disposing of Numancia, 4-1, thanks to a pair of goals from David Villa. Athletic Bilbao won on the road against Racing Santander, 2-0, to move back in the hunt for a spot in Europe next season as Pablo Orbaiz and Tiko scored in the victory.

Albacete lost at home to Malaga, 2-1, to remain in serious relegation trouble another Sunday La Liga game.

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A night of shame Bayer Munich VS Chelsea Real Madrid beat Barcelona 4-2

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