Fuente: © UEFA (English)
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FOOTBALL EUROPE: Madrid's title challengers stumble

/noticias.info/ FC Barcelona had to settle for a goalless home draw against Getafe CF and second-placed Villarreal CF also lost ground on leaders Real Madrid CF in the Primera División after they lost 2-0 at Sevilla FC.

Drawing a blank
Barcelona had the chance to reduce the gap to Madrid to five points but were frustrated as they hit the woodwork three times and were denied on numerous occasions by away goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri. The result leaves Frank Rijkaard's side on 59 points from 31 games.

Villarreal misery
In Seville, Luis Fabiano opened the scoring against Villarreal, running on to a Daniel Alves through ball in the 19th minute before firing home. Substitute Frédéric Kanouté then dispatched a penalty three minutes from time to round off the win. A miserable evening for the visitors was completed when Joan Capdevila was sent off in added time.

Nine-goal thriller
Earlier, Club Atlético de Madrid and UD Almería shared nine goals with the capital club coming out on top 6-3. Atlético raced into an early two-goal lead but were pegged back straight away with José Ortiz scoring in the 18th minute to make it 2-2. However a pair of goals each from Simão and Sergio Agüero saw the home side run out comfortable winners.

Relegation battle
At the lower end of the table, Real Valladolid CF won 3-0 at bottom side Levante UD. Two goals from Mark González and one from Hugo Pavone gave Real Betis Balompié an identical scoreline at Real Zaragoza, who remain third from bottom, four points ahead of Real Murcia CF who won 1-0 against Valencia CF thanks to Ivan Alonso's 36th-minute strike.

Depor revival
In mid-table, Athletic Club Bilbao drew within two points of RCD Espanyol after beating them 1-0 through Joseba Garmendia's 14th-minute effort while RC Deportivo La Coruña continued their recent good form with an impressive 3-1 win at fifth-placed Real Racing Club Santander. notas_de_prensa_archivo