Madrid fightback halves Barça's lead

Real Madrid CF trail Liga leaders FC Barcelona by three points with six games remaining after registering a 2-1 win against UD Almería.

Barcelona stole a march in the title race with a 2-0 victory against Madrid at the weekend went six points clear on Wednesday after beating RC Deportivo La Coruña 3-0. Their lead has now been halved, although Madrid were forced to come from behind to take the points.

Albert Crusat turned in a right-wing cross on 14 minutes to give Almería a lead, but before the half-hour the visitors were level. Cristiano Ronaldo picked up the ball 30 metres out and danced his way into space before unleashing a shot that evaded home goalkeeper Diego Alves – it was the Portuguese's 19th league goal this term.

Guti hit the post soon after while Marcelo was kept out when clean through in the second half, but Madrid were not to be denied. Rafael van der Vaart collected Gonzalo Higuaín's pass and finishing precisely from just outside the penalty area with 21 minutes remaining.

Valencia CF, meanwhile, consolidated third position with a 2-0 triumph against Athletic Club, who stay sixth. Victory came for the hosts courtesy of two David Silva goals (35, 62), the Spanish midfielder's sixth and seventh Liga strikes of the campaign. Valencia are now seven points ahead of fourth-placed RCD Mallorca and look well placed to claim a UEFA Champions League qualifying berth.