Champions Real Madrid earned a 2-0 win in a feisty La Liga encounter at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to ensure they stayed in the hunt for the La Liga title with leaders Barcelona.
Barca moved to 44 points in the standings after their 1-0 win over Getafe earlier on Sunday. They are three points ahead of Real and six points in front of third-placed Real Sociedad. Bilbao are eighth with 26 points.
Real Madrid, beaten by Villarreal in their last league outing, secured the points thanks to a first-half goal from Karim Benzema and a strike from Toni Kroos in added time.
After a frantic come-from-behind 3-2 win in the Copa del Rey in midweek, coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos and give an opportunity to midfielder Dani Ceballos, who was instrumental in his team’s triumph.
Alongside youngster Eduardo Camavinga, who also played a superb match, Ceballos started the play that ended with Benzema’s brilliant finish.
Juve draw
Juventus put aside their offfield troubles to rescue a 3-3 draw with Atalanta in Serie A on Sunday. Massimiliano Allegri’s side were playing their first match since being docked 15 points on Friday by an Italian soccer court investigating the club’s transfer dealings.
