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On Saturday, at home, the leaders of the Spanish championship "Barcelona" beat the "Cadiz" footballers with a minimal result, moving closer to the title of champions. Meanwhile, the pressure on Pamplona's "Osasuna" and Madrid's "Real" continues to increase, with Vigo's "Celta" also closing in on the top four by two points after beating the "Deportivo" footballers away.
In the match in Barcelona, which was watched by 85 thousand fans, the hosts took the lead eight minutes into the game when Brazilian Ronaldinho scored from about 12 meters after Julio Belletti's pass. For the best football player in the world in 2005, these were the first Spanish championship matches in almost a month, which he started in the starting lineup.
In the middle of the second half, the most prolific player in the Spanish championship, Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o, failed to secure the victory by not converting a penalty earned by Holland's Mark van Bommel from eleven meters. Less than ten minutes before the end of the match, instead of the Portuguese Deco, the Spanish national team midfielder Xavi appeared again on the field after a break of more than five months. The long-time team player was greeted with ovations at the "Nou Camp" stadium.
It is worth mentioning that "Cadiz" also had good opportunities to equalize the score: one goal was not counted due to an offside, and several times the "Barca" goal was fantastically protected by Victor Valdes.
This victory could be enough for "Barcelona" to be crowned Spanish champions already. For this to happen, "Valencia" must not beat Vitoria's Alaves in the relegation battle on Sunday.
In the Galician derby, "Celta" won their first victory in 11 years at La Coruna's "Riazor" stadium. "Celta" took the lead in the 34th minute when the referee counted Dario Silva's goal, even though it seemed like he scored it with his hand after a shot by Brazilian Fernando Baiano.
The hopes of "Deportivo" to equalize the score diminished significantly as the match neared its end, when center-back Fabricio Coloccini was sent off the field for a foul on Argentine Diego Placente with ten minutes left. "Celta" did not hesitate to take advantage, and after making a substitution, Jesus Perera appeared on the field and sent the ball into the net in the 88th minute of a counterattack.
The last match on Saturday between "Betis" and "Athletic Bilbao" ended in a 1-1 draw.
Statistics
1 - 0
9` [1 - 0] Ronaldinho
La Coruna 0 - 2 Vigo
34` [0 - 1] Dario Silva
88` [0 - 2] Jesus Perera
80` Fabricio Coloccini sent off ("Deportivo")
Seville 1 - 1
26` [1 - 0] Robert
66` [1 - 1] Jose Maria Lacruz
