SOCCER-SPAIN
FEBRUARY 1 2009 21:55h
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Atletico coach Javier Aguirre was put under further pressure with this home defeat as they continued their winless start to 2009.
ATLETICO MADRID 1 REAL VALLADOLID 2
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre was put under further pressure with this home defeat as they continued their winless start to 2009.
Luis Prieto put Valladolid ahead at a corner in the 50th minute, though Atletico levelled when Jose Antonio Garcia Calvo turned Diego Forlan's shot into his own net. After missing a host of chances, Valladolid's winner came when Victor scored from the penalty spot in the 79th.
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DEPORTIVO CORUNA 3 VILLARREAL 0
Depor ended a run of three straight defeats in style and were set on their way in the second minute when Angel Lafita raced through to score from a flick on.
Lafita's deflected shot doubled the lead in the 62nd minute and soon after Ivan Riki completed the scoring with a shot off the far post. Villarreal's Marcos Senna had a penalty saved in the 73rd. - - - -
ESPANYOL 1 RECREATIVO HUELVA 1
New Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino was denied his first win at the helm by a last-minute penalty from Recre's Marco Ruben when home keeper Carlos Kameni was sent off.
Defender Nico Pareja had put relegation-threatened Espanyol in front with a header from a freekick in the 62nd minute.
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OSASUNA 1 REAL MALLORCA 0
Osasuna dragged themselves off the foot of the standings after a stormy win over fellow-strugglers Mallorca, with Walter Pandiani scoring the only goal with a far-post header in the third minute.
Mallorca had defender David Navarro sent off after an hour and goalkeeper Dudu Aouate dismissed in the 78th just after he had saved a penalty from Patxi Punal. Osasuna's Javad Nekounam was also shown a red card at the end.
- - - - RACING SANTANDER 1 BARCELONA 2
Racing made life tough for Barca taking the lead from the penalty spot through Nikola Zigic just after halftime.
Barca turned to substitute Lionel Messi who levelled in the 65th minute when Xavi's header came back off the bar. Messi stole in to score the winner in the 81st and Barca hung on despite Rafael Marquez and Gerard Pique being sent off late on.
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REAL BETIS 2 GETAFE 2
Betis's underfire coach Paco Chaparro had the perfect start when two goals in the first ten minutes from Juanma and Mark Gonzalez had the home side cruising. A red card for midfielder Juande in the 33rd minute put them on the back foot and Getafe came back after the break with Ikechukwu Uche scoring a clever solo effort in the 64th and racing through to level soon after.
Betis had goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira to thank for saving a Roberto Soldado penalty in the 78th.
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VALENCIA 3 ALMERIA 2
The return of David Villa from injury helped Valencia get over their midweek exit from the King's Cup, but it was tight at the Mestalla.
Joaquin volleyed the home side in front early on only for Alvaro Negredo to level after fine work from Iriney in the 22nd minute. Villa netted a penalty before the break and extended the lead in the 61st.
Negredo set up a nervy finale scoring after a howler from Carlos Marchena, and it needed a great save from Cesar Sanchez to make sure of a Valencia win in the last minute.
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Playing later on Sunday:
Sporting Gijon v Sevilla
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Played on Saturday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO 3 MALAGA 2
Bilbao followed their midweek qualification for the King's Cup semi-finals with a stirring comeback win against promoted Malaga.
Albert Luque's goal after three minutes put Malaga ahead until Fran Yeste swept in Fernando Llorente's assist before the break.
Lolo headed Malaga back in front from a freekick only for Llorente to level again in the 71st minute with a stunning strike and Markel Susaeta headed the winner near the end.
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NUMANCIA 0 REAL MADRID 2
Real made it six wins from six against a well-organised Numancia with Arjen Robben providing the cutting edge for the win at the start of the second half.
The Dutch winger's run help set up Raul, who scored in the 48th minute to equal Alfredo di Stefano's record of 307 goals for Real. Robben dribbled in off the wing to net the second soon after before midfielder Fernando Gago was sent off near the end.
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