Barça broken by terrific Torres

FC Barcelona's winning run was halted in decisive fashion as Club Atlético de Madrid ran out 3-1 winners at Camp Nou. The Catalan side had won their 14 previous games – one short of Real Madrid CF's all-time record from 1960/61 – but were undone by two goals from Atlético captain Fernando Torres and one from Maxi Rodríguez.

Atlético double
Torres opened the scoring just after the half hour, capitalising on defensive confusion to finish emphatically. A minute after half-time Rodríguez made it two from a precise Martin Petrov cross. Henrik Larsson gave the home fans brief hope but that was extinguished 15 minutes from time when Torres recieved a headed pass from Rodríguez and curled his shot past goalkeeper Victor Valdés. Barcelona went into the game without five key players – Ronaldinho, Edmílson, Juliano Belletti, Xavi Hernández and Thiago Motta – and have now lost to Atlético at home and away this season, their only two defeats of the campaign.

Betis comeback
Real Betis Balompié fell just short in their attempt to come back from four goals down against Real Zaragoza. Two goals from Diego Milito and one apiece for Oscar González and Sergio García seemed to have put the result beyond doubt within 22 minutes, before Betis roared back with a hat-trick from Dani Martín.

Arconada victory
Cádiz CF's joy at claiming a 1-1 draw away against Villarreal CF was tempered by a broken collarbone for midfielder Iván Ania. A late Mark González winner ensured Gonzalo Arconada's first game in charge of Real Sociedad de Fútbol went to plan, as the Basque side defeated RCD Mallorca 2-1. RC Celta de Vigo won in Santander for the first time in 22 attempts, 1-0 against Real Racing Club, while Getafe CF shared four goals with struggling Deportivo Alavés.