Source: Xinhua
04-20-2009 08:15
MADRID, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A solitary first half goal from Barcelona striker Leo Messi was enough to give his side all three points away to Getafe on Saturday night in the Spanish Primela Liga.
Although Getafeis fought to avoid relegation, the game had been portrayed as a potential banana skin for Barcelona following a 4-0 Cup defeat in 2007.
However, Barcelona turned in a professional display to leave Getafe with few options in the match and had referee Turnezo Alvarez given the Catalans what looked to be two clear penalties, the margin of victory would have been greater than Messi's 18th minute goal.
Real Madrid remains on Barcelona's trail, following a 1-0 win away to Recreativo Huelva.
Marcelo's goal early in the second half gave Madridits reward for another professional if uninspiring display. The bad news for Juande Ramos' side was what looked like a torn hamstring for midfielder Wesley Sneijder in the last minute of the game.
Atletico Madrid got its Champions League challenge back on track with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to struggling Numancia.
Ever Banega opened the scoring for Atletico after 62 minutes and his side was never in trouble from that moment. Diego Forlan and Simao Sabrosa scored the other goals. Numancia meanwhile is starting to look doomed to relegation to the second division.
