La Liga round-up

Zaragoza into danger zone as Rijkaard ends at home in defeat

Last updated: 11th May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

La Liga round-up

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Real Zaragoza were held to a thrilling 2-2 home draw with champions Real Madrid to drop into the relegation zone with one game remaining.

Ricardo Oliveira had put Zaragoza in front at the Estadio La Romareda as he latched on to a centre from Sergio Garcia on 19 minutes.

However, Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised on 27 minutes for Real from close range in trademark poacher's style

After the interval Zaragoza dominated, but Robinho appeared to have won it for Real as he dinked in when one-on-one with home goalkeeper Cesar with 13 minutes remaining.

However, defender Segio showed a cool head to prod in with four minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish and it was only the heroics of Real shot-stopper Jerzy Dudek which prevented Zaragoza from sneaking a late winner.

Real Mallorca came from two goals down to defeat Barcelona 3-2 at the Camp Nou in manager Frank Rijkaard's final home game.

Thierry Henry (16) and Samuel Eto'o (56) put Barca in cruise control, but after the interval Mallorca came storming back to boost their hopes of a top six finish.

Borja Valero pulled one goal back on 67 minutes and shortly after Pierre Webo (70) equalised.

Rijkaard is to step down at the end of the season and the Dutchman will be replaced by reserve team coach Pep Guardiola, but the home fans also demonstrated their disapproval at club president Joan Laporta following a disappointing campaign.

And the Barca faithful's woes increased deep into stoppage time as Edmilson (93) was dismissed for a second booking before Daniel Guiza hit a winner for Mallorca one minute later.

Relegation threatened Osasuna moved out of the danger zone as they recorded a crucial 2-1 home victory over already doomed Murcia.

Eduardo Dady opened the scoring at the Reyno De Navarra in the first minute and Juan Juanfran then hit a second on 53 minutes.

Murcia netted a consolation one minute into stoppage time through substitute Gomez Abel, but it was too little too late as Osasuna held on for the victory.

Recreativo De Huelva eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 victory away to Almeria, despite the visitors playing the majority of the second half with 10-men.

Antonion Vazquez put Recreativo in front on 25 minutes and former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle then doubled the advantage shortly before half-time.

However, Recreativo were forced to survive a testing second half as defender Amoedo Iago Bouzon was dismissed on 46 minutes after collecting his second booking having already received a caution earlier in the encounter.

Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan struck the only goal of the game at the Vincente Calderon as Atletico Madrid defeated Deportivo La Coruna 1-0.

Forlan struck on 46 minutes to earn the three points which secures Atletico's place in next season's UEFA Champions League as they have a superior head-to-head record over Sevilla.

A David Villa hat-trick helped Valencia to a 5-1 away victory over relegated Levante as the visitors secured their third win in four games since the departure of former boss Ronald Koeman.

Villa, who is rumoured to be set for a big money summer transfer, opened the scoring on 14 minutes and then added a second 16 minutes later.

Serrano Jose then pulled a goal back for Levante on 32 minutes, but Juan Mata (35) restored Valencia's two-goal cushion and Miguel Angulo (64) added a fourth before Villa (65) made sure he was taking the match ball home with him.

Sevilla defeated fierce derby rivals Real Betis 2-0 at the Manuel Ruiz De Lopera stadium.

The dangerous Luis Fabiano opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark and Federico Fazio set up the victory on 51 minutes.

Daniel Alves and Arzu both received straight red cards on 56 minutes following a violent clash, but Sevilla held on for the points.

Racing Santander played out a 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio San Mames.

The away side's frustrations were epitomised as Racing racked up six bookings, but they could not find a way past the Bilbao defence.

Elsewhere, second-placed Villarreal wrapped up a comfortable three points at home to Espanyol as goals from Javi Venta (31) and Robert Pires (43) secured a 2-0 victory, while Real Valladolid drew 0-0 at home to Getafe.

Almeria 0 Recreativo Huelva 2
Athletic Bilbao 0 Racing Santander 0

Atletico Madrid 1 Deportivo La Coruna 0

Barcelona 2 Mallorca 3

Levante 1 Valencia 5

Osasuna 2 Murcia 1

Real Betis 0 Sevilla 2

Real Zaragoza 2 Real Madrid 2

Valladolid 0 Getafe 0

Villarreal 2 Espanyol 0