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Valencia all but hand league title to Barca after draw with Real

Xinhua, May 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Valencia keeper Diego Alves produced a heroic performance to give his side a 2-2 draw away to Real Madrid and as a consequence virtually assure that FC Barcelona will end the season as Champions of the BBVA Primera Liga.

Alves produced a string of magnificent saves to deny Real Madrid, who showed great personality in coming back from 2-0 down at half time to force a 2-2 draw.

However, that draw means they are now four points behind Barcelona with just two games to play this season and that one more win for Barca will assure them the title.

The first half in the Bernabeu produced 45 minutes of sparking football, which saw Real Madrid hit the woodwork three times against their rivals.

Gareth Bale's free kick and Cristiano Ronaldo's header were unlucky to open the scoring in the first 18 minutes, and it was Valencia who went ahead a minute later when Paco Alcacer was on hand to score from a Jose Gaya cross from the edge of the six yard box.

Real Madrid then lost Tony Kroos to injury but substitute Asier Illaramendi had literally only just got on the pitch when Javi Fuego's header doubled their lead.

Javier Hernandez hit the woodwork again for Real Madrid 10 minutes from the break, but the best chance for the home side came in injury time when Ronaldo's penalty was saved by Alves, who had earlier made a magnificent stop to deny Bale.

The second half saw more of the same with Alves twice denying Hernandez, although he was helpless to keep Pepe's 55th minute header out.

Madrid pressed forward, looking for the two goals they needed, but Valencia soaked up the pressure, with Alves stopping everything until Isco beat him with a magnificent 25 yard shot in the 85th minute.

The 5 minutes of injury time set nerves on edge for both sides, but at the end the Madrid players sank to the floor knowing the title had almost certainly flown their grasp.

Earlier in the day Barcelona fulfilled their obligations with a hard-fought 2-0 win at home to Real Sociedad.

Barca carved out a series of first half chances, but when they did get a sight of goal, they were denied by an outstanding display by Geronimo Rulli.

Neymar opened the score in the 51st minute with a smart far- post header after a cross from Leo Messi, after which Barca opted to try and control the ball and take the sting out of the game.

Real Sociedad never really threatened, although they produced a solid performance and the result was never certain until Pedro, who had come on just minutes earlier, scored an overhead kick with just five minutes remaining. Endite