Late goals earn Barça breathing space

Zlatan Ibrahimović and Bojan Krkić took some of the headlines away from in-form Lionel Messi as goals in the last 17 minutes allowed FC Barcelona to open up a three-point advantage at the Liga summit.

Messi has attracted an avalanche of superlatives after a month that has seen him score ten goals in four games and inspire Barça through to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. CA Osasuna have clearly taken note, and he was heavily marked throughout at the Camp Nou but Josep Guardiola's side are blessed with attacking talent.

Ibrahimović that broke the deadlock after 73 frustrating minutes for the hosts, tapping in Maxwell's left-wing cross. The second came in similar fashion, substitute Bojan turning in Andrés Iniesta's centre two minutes from time as Barcelona created daylight between themselves and Real Madrid CF. Los Merengues are in action at Getafe CF on Thursday.

The Spanish titleholders were not the only team to leave it late, and of Wednesday's five early games there was a solitary first-half goal – Nilmar putting Villarreal CF ahead at CD Tenerife in added time. The home side fought back, and goals from Nino (60) and José Antonio Culebras (76) looked to have earned the relegation-threatened islanders three much-needed points before Giuseppe Rossi equalised (88).

It was one of three draws. High-flying RCD Mallorca were held 0-0 at Real Racing Club and it was also goalless between Real Valladolid CF and RCD Espanyol, both sides finishing with ten men. Real Zaragoza are now just two points ahead of Valladolid in the relegation zone as Kalu Uche's first goal of 2009 proved sufficient to move UD Almería into the top half of the table.

In the late match, David Villa's 18th Liga goal of the season after 13 minutes was enough to earn Valencia CF a 1-0 victory at home to Málaga CF. Unai Emery's team are now six points clear of Mallorca in third.