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Madrid. Real Madrid leads the Spanish league after beating Racing Santander 1-0 and Barcelona’s draw 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Madrid has 28 points and Barcelona has 27. The teams meet on Sunday in Barcelona.

Gonzalo Higuain’s first-half goal, following up on a rebound of a Kaka shot, was enough for Madrid to secure three points.

Dani Alves broke the deadlock for Barcelona at San Mames, charging on to a Xavi Hernandez pass to score in the 53rd minute. Substitute Gaizka Toquero equalized 10 minutes later.

Barcelona was without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, due to a hamstring injury. Defenders Rafael Marquez and Eric Abidal and midfielder Yaya Toure were also sidelined with swine flu.

With the score level and the clock ticking down, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola replaced Leo Messi and Xavi Hernandez with Bojan Krkic and Thierry Henry, but despite some late pressure they could not create a second goal.

Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini played Higuain alongside Karim Benzema in attack, with Raul Gonzalez starting on the bench and Cristiano Ronaldo still out injured.

The first half hour saw a marked improvement over most of Madrid’s performances this season. The team looked comfortable on the ball and carved out several clear chances before fading in the second half.

Higuain struck the post and Kaka drew a fine save during an early spell of fluid passing. Alvaro Arbeloa also struck the post, while midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso had one of his best games for Madrid.

Santander’s Sergio Canales was ruled offside after scoring in the 78th, though replays appeared to show the goal was legal.

Earlier, Sevilla beat Tenerife 2-1 to notch 25 points and keep it in touch with the leaders, while Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Deportivo La Coruna after an injury-time penalty to stay in the relegation zone.

Sevilla’s Diego Perotti tapped home in the 33rd minute from a cross by winger Jesus Navas. Renato’s long-range strike straight after the break, underlining the Andalusian team’s attackingsuperiority.

However, Juan Francisco Martinez made it 2-1 in the 76th with a first-time shot.

In Tenerife, Sergio Aguero put Atletico ahead in the fourth minute after a lapse by defender Alberto Lopo gave the Argentina striker space to shoot from an acute angle.

La Coruna defender Diego Colotto equalized in the 21st, heading in at the far post from a corner. Jose Guardado scored from the penalty spot deep into injury time.



Associated Press