Barcelona strike late to overcome Osasuna

Barcelona strike late to overcome Osasuna

Xavi Hernández and Lionel Messi struck in the last ten minutes to give FC Barcelona a 3-2 victory at Liga basement side CA Osasuna that leaves them 12 points clear at the top.

Late drama

It was all going to plan for Barcelona when Messi set up Samuel Eto'o to score just before the break but Miguel Flaño turned in a corner to equalise not long after the hour mark and ten minutes later Walter Pandiani seemed to have put the visitors' 16-game unbeaten Liga run in jeopardy. However, on his 300th league appearance Xavi turned in a Daniel Alves cross and with five minutes left Messi's superb finish sealed the win.
Raúl landmark

Thanks to Valencia CF's 3-3 draw with Villarreal CF on Saturday, Barcelona have extended their lead with their nearest challengers now Sevilla FC, who beat RC Deportivo La Coruña 3-1 last night, and Real Madrid CF courtesy of a 3-0 defeat of RCD Mallorca with Raúl González trumping Xavi by scoring on his 500th Liga appearance. Arjen Robben gave Madrid a third-minute lead before Raúl claimed a goal on his landmark occasion in the 17th minute, his 305th strike for the club putting him only two behind record-holder Alfredo Di Stéfano. Sergio Ramos confirmed the result midway through the second half.
Atlético slip

Club Atlético de Madrid are four points adrift of fourth-placed Valencia after losing 3-2 at home to Athletic Club Bilbao. Málaga CF are only two points behind Atlético in eighth after a 2-1 win at Real Betis Balompié thanks to a last-gasp Eliseu goal and Real Sporting de Gijón defeated Real Valladolid CF by the same scoreline. RC Recreativo de Huelva picked up a useful point in the fight against relegation with a 1-1 draw at Real Racing Club and CD Numancia also eased their fears by beating Getafe CF 2-0. RCD Espanyol remain two points adrift of Recreativo after a 2-2 draw with UD Almería, though the Barcelona outfit had to come from two down before Nicolás Pareja's last-gasp equaliser.