Messi and Ronaldo score braces for Spanish leaders
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Barcelona shook off an improvised four-hour bus and train trip to beat Osasuna 3-0 to stay atop the Spanish league yesterday, while Real Madrid stayed two points back by downing 10-man Valencia 2-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Madrid to give him 16 for the season, one ahead of Lionel Messi, who also notched a brace for Barcelona.
Lionel Messi deftly threaded a pass that led Pedro Rodriguez through the Osasuna defense in the 26th and Rodriguez gave Osasuna goalie Ricardo Lopez no chance with a sharp strike for the opener.
Messi sprinted past the Osasuna defenders and beat Ricardo with a low shot for the second in the 65th and added the third from the penalty spot in the 84th.
The match began 45 minutes late after Barcelona was forced to use ground transport to reach Pamplona because of the sickout by Spain's air traffic controllers which had grounded all flights in the country since Friday afternoon.
"It was difficult for us to get into the game because it has been a long day, but we earned three points in a difficult stadium," Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said.
Ronaldo broke the deadlock against Valencia in the 73rd with a left-footed strike off a counterattack eight minutes after Valencia midfielder David Abelda was sent off.
Ronaldo scored his second after galloping from the center line and firing from inside the area.
Valencia withstood the relentless Madrid attack thanks to the inspired play from goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, who held off Sami Khedira when the Germany midfielder found himself alone on goal in the 35th.
Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil drew an acrobatic diving save from Guaita with a curling free kick five minutes before the half, and Ronaldo grazed the left post with a brilliant backheeled try as the half finished.
After the break Guaita continued to frustrate the Madrid attack, denying Ronaldo a ground shot and smothering a chip attempt by Angel Di Maria early in the second half.
Madrid defender Pepe went to the ground to block a close-range shot by Joaquin Sanchez as the game opened up and substitute Karim Benzema tested the Valencia goalie with a rising strike.
Valencia, which stayed in fifth place with the loss, fell apart after Abelda drew his second yellow on a questionable handling call in the 65th.
"We have earned capital in self-confidence after the negative result tomorrow," said Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, referring to his team's 5-0 thrashing by Barcelona. "Today wasn't a day to play a good game or run up the score, the only thing that mattered was winning. We had to come back home with a different face and breath."
Pep Guardiola's squad extended its league-winning streak to eight games and dealt Osasuna its first loss at Reyno de Navarra Stadium since March.
Osasuna tried to take advantage of the visitors' travel-weary legs by pressing forward from the opening whistle.
But after the initial push by Osasuna, Barcelona grabbed control of the ball and the scoreboard.
The woodwork kept Barcelona out two minutes after Pedro's goal when he tried to return the favor, finding Messi on the left side for a ground strike that skimmed along the goal-line before bouncing off the right post.
Barcelona found the second when David Villa linked up with Messi near midfield.
Ricardo denied Barcelona's third on a one-on-one against Villa with 15 minutes to play, but Sergio Fernandez fouled Messi in the area and the Argentina standout capped the win with a left-footed try.
Osasuna remained in 12th place, six points from Europa League positions and five above the relegation zone.
Also, struggling Atletico Madrid had another disappointing performance in losing 2-0 to Levante.
Victoriano "Nano" Rivas headed in Levante's first in the third minute and striker Felipe Caicedo- on loan from Manchester City this season- scored his fifth goal of the season in the 59th.
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