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Barca take another step towards title in Spain's matchday 26

Xinhua, February 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona took another step towards the BBVA Primera Liga title on Sunday as they came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at home to Sevilla in the 26th round of games in Spain.

The win keeps Barca eight points clear of Atletico Madrid, who are second, and with a 12 point advantage over Real Madrid in third, while equalizing the record of 34 games unbeaten in the Spanish league.

Vitolo put Sevilla in front after 20 minutes, but Leo Messi scored a stunning free kick to level matters 11 minutes later and Gerard Pique gave Barca the win with a close range finish three minutes after the break of a game where Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico kept Sevilla in with a chance until the final whistle with a series of magnificent saves.

Antoine Griezmann's 53rd minute goal gave Atletico Madrid a deserved win away to neighbors Real in the Madrid derby on Saturday afternoon.

Atletico created the best chances in the game and goalkeeper Keylor Navas kept Real Madrid in the game, which had its controversy post-game as Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane commented afterwards that his side had no chance of winning this season's league title, while Cristiano Ronaldo said that if all his companions played at his level, Real would be leaders.

Villarreal took a big step towards assuring Champions League football next season with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to struggling Levante.

Villarreal rested key players after their Europa League win in Naples, but brushed aside their rivals with goals from Leo Baptistao, Samu Castellejo and Adrian Lopez, who scored his first goal for the club three minutes into the second half.

Levante's bad day was complete when David Navarro was sent off for a second yellow card with 30 minutes left to play.

Celta Vigo strengthened their grip of sixth place as Nolito returned from injury to score his ninth goal of the season and inflict Getafe's sixth consecutive defeat.

Athletic Club Bilbao rested six key players after their Europa League tie during the week but still won 3-0 away to Valencia. The game was an even affair until the 73rd minute when Sabin Merino opened the scoring with a header.

Iker Muniain sealed the win with his first goal since recovering from a knee operation, three minutes later and Aritz Aduriz's 27th goal of the campaign put the icing on the cake with 10 minutes remaining.

Elsewhere new Granada coach Jose Gonzalez kicked off with a 1-0 win away to Deportivo la Coruna, which lifted his new club off the bottom of the table. El Arabi's 24th minute penalty was enough for Granada to ensure Deportivo have still to win 2016.

Espanyol took a step towards safety beating Sporting Gijon 4-2 away from home thanks partly to two goals from Gerard Moreno. Burgi and an own goal,while Carlos Castro netted twice for the home side.

Two goals from Ruben Castro looked to have given Betis a valuable win at home to Rayo Vallecano, but two goals after the break from Manucho gave Rayo a share of the points in a 2-2 draw, which keeps both sides hovering above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile Real Sociedad and Malaga drew 1-1 with Imanol Agirretxe celebrating his return from injury by scoring the equalizer. Endit