Ronaldinho rescues ten-man Barça

By Andy Hall

A late Ronaldinho penalty earned Primera División leaders FC Barcelona a point at home to champions Valencia CF, enabling Real Madrid CF to close the gap at the top thanks to Zinedine Zidane's last-gasp winner at Real Racing Club Santander.

Barça onslaught
The opening half was an attacking masterclass from Barça, who relentlessly pounded the opposing goal. Andrés Iniesta perhaps had more time than he thought when he volleyed over on eleven minutes while Samuel Eto'o posed a constant threat. But Barça's pressure was matched by Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares, who had not conceded a single goal in the previous five games. The Spanish international got down to block a far post volley from Xavi Hernández then struggled to hold a low effort from Deco.

Caught on the break
The second half began in similar fashion but Barça were then punished on the break as Valencia's Stefano Fiore picked up a loose ball in midfield and raced clear to slot inside the post just after the hour. More drama ensued shortly afterwards when home goalkeeper Víctor Valdés was dismissed for handling outside his area. However, with time running out, Ronaldinho levelled from the spot after he was judged to have been shoved in the area by Miguel Ángel Angulo. Barcelona conceded their first points at home this term but remained top with 39 points.

Racing away
Madrid, meanwhile, were without Ronaldo due to a groin strain while Roberto Carlos and David Beckham started on the substitutes' bench. Racing breached the visitors' defence on 23 minutes when Yossi Benayoun latched onto an Oriol centre to send a dipping header under the bar, but the lead lasted only nine minutes as Michael Owen nodded in after a goalmouth scramble. The Cantanbrian side restored their advantage on 50 minutes, however, when Javi Guerrero was left unmarked to slot inside the post.

Madrid fightback
But following a defensive lapse just past the hour, Madrid captain Raúl González was allowed to tuck in from close range to level the scores again. Then, two minutes into added time, Luís Figo found Zidane from a corner and the Frenchman headed into the roof of the net to seal the win. The result put Madrid into second place, with 29 points, with Valencia now third.

Levante held 
In the evening's other match, Levante UD were held 1-1 by Albacete Balompié. Both goals were scored in the first half, Gaspar Galvez stabbing in just before the half hour for Albacete with José Antonio Culebras equalising three minutes before the interval. Levante have not won since early November.