Zlatan Ibrahimović scored for the third game running to give FC Barcelona a hard-earned 1-0 Liga win at fourth-placed RCD Mallorca.

The Sweden striker ended a goalless spell with a late penalty last Sunday at Real Zaragoza and opened the scoring in the 2-0 win against CA Osasuna on Wednesday. He pounced again 63 minutes in at Mallorca, turning the ball in after Dudu Aouate was only able to parry a deflection by a defender from Xavi Hernández's corner.

Beaten at home for only the second time this term, Mallorca hit the woodwork twice in the first half but could now lose fourth spot if Sevilla FC, under new coach Antonio Álvarez, win at Villarreal CF on Sunday. Meanwhile, Real Madrid CF will aim to wipe out Barcelona's three-point lead in their home derby meeting with Club Atlético de Madrid, with Josep Guardiola's side now free to concentrate on Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at Arsenal FC.

Valenca CF, in third, remain six points ahead of Mallorca after a 3-0 loss at Real Zaragoza. That result took Zaragoza four points clear of the relegation zone after CD Tenerife drew 1-1 at ten-man Málaga CF.