MADRID, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 29 in La Liga saw the title race once again reduced to a head-to-head between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid as both sides won their respective weekend matches. Here are four things we saw this weekend in Spain.

1. Lewandowski keeps Barca's title hopes on course

Robert Lewandowski was rested for Barcelona's 3-0 win at home to Osasuna on Thursday, but back in the starting 11 for the 4-1 victory at home to Girona on Sunday. The Polish striker again showed how important he is with two more goals to take his total for the season to 25 in La Liga.

His first goal came at 1-1 with an acrobatic finish that showed his goalscoring instinct, while the second made it 3-1 after a trademark cut inside and low finish after good work from Frenkie de Jong.

The good news for Barca coach Hansi Flick is not only that Lewandowski keeps on scoring, but that his substitute Ferran Torres also has nine league goals in less than 800 minutes, which offers very reliable backup.

2. Mbappe does enough for Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe scored a disputed penalty and a free kick as Real Madrid made hard work of beating a struggling Leganes on Saturday to keep the pressure on Barcelona.

The return from the international break seemed to affect a Real Madrid side that lacked its usual cohesion and looked vulnerable as Leganes finished the two chances created during the match.

Real Madrid now has a busy fixture list, with Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League games meaning no midweek rest, although the consolation for Carlo Ancelotti's men is that Barca is in the same situation.

3. Atletico says 'adios' to title hopes

Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw away to Espanyol effectively ends its hopes of winning this season's title, trailing by six points behind Real Madrid and nine behind Barcelona with nine games left to play.

Diego Simeone's side has lost two of its last three games, and Saturday's draw leaves it with a mountain to climb.

It's strange that Atletico always seems to slip up when there is a chance to go top, and the way the team was willing to surrender possession in its recent Champions League exit to Real Madrid implies it is more comfortable being the underdog than being favorites.

4. Lopez leading Valencia to safety

Valencia striker Diego Lopez scored his fourth goal in a month to give Valencia a 1-0 win at home to Mallorca and lift the club four points clear of the bottom three.

Lopez has been vital this month with goals against Osasuna, Real Valladolid, Girona and Mallorca - a run of matches that has seen Valencia win two games and draw two to collect eight vital points.

Valencia still has work to do to ensure its top-flight survival - starting with a visit to Real Madrid next weekend, but Lopez's goals over the past month look like being vital to its hopes. Enditem

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