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Five matches were played on Sunday evening in the Spanish championship.
Two goals from Lionel Messi and goals from Xavi and Alexis Sanchez led to an important 4-2 victory for Barcelona against Sevilla's Real Betis. It allowed the Catalans to reduce the gap from the leader Real Madrid to five points.
The hosts started the match very successfully: Xavi and Messi scored in the 10th and 12th minutes respectively, and it seemed like the champions were in for an easy walk.
But Pepe Melo's team did not give up: Ruben Castro reduced the deficit before halftime, and in the second half, Roque Santa Cruz equalized with a great strike.
However, Barcelona pressed their opponents and it paid off: Betis defender Mario received his second yellow card and had to leave the field, and in the 75th minute, Alexis Sanchez scored the third goal.
Messi secured the victory with a penalty kick just before the final whistle.
Results:
Barcelona 4 - 2 Sevilla's Real Betis
10' [1 - 0] Xavi
12' [2 - 0] L.Messi
32' [2 - 1] R.Martin
52' [2 - 2] R.Cruz
75' [3 - 2] A.Sanchez
86' [4 - 2] L.Messi (from a penalty kick)
71' M.Alvarez ("Betis") sent off
Chichon's Sporting 2 - 1 Malaga
36' [1 - 0] A.Galvez
88' [1 - 1] R.van Nistelrooy
90' [2 - 1] O.Trejo
Athletic Bilbao 3 - 0 Valencia's Levante
11' [1 - 0] F.Amorebieta
41' [2 - 0] F.Llorente
90' [3 - 0] M.Jose
89' J.Garcia ("Levante") sent off
Pamplona's Osasuna 0 - 2 Santander's Racing
38' [0 - 1] C.Stuani (from a penalty kick)
71' [0 - 2] C.Stuani (from a penalty kick)
Madrid's Atletico 3 - 0 Villarreal
40' [1 - 0] R.Falcao
51' [2 - 0] R.Falcao (from a penalty kick)
80' [3 - 0] Diego
