Spain round-up: Deportivo bounce back at Alavés

Three of Spain's quartet of UEFA Champions League challengers suffered contrasting fortunes domestically tonight with RC Deportivo La Coruña recovering from their midweek thrashing by AC Milan to move to second place in the Primera División.

Barcelona humbled
Javier Irureta's side, who lost 4-0 at home to Milan on Tuesday, proved too strong for hosts Deportivo Alavés, running out 2-1 winners, but it was Real Betis Balompié who produced the performance of the evening by humbling FC Barcelona 3-0 in Sevilla. Real Madrid CF, the reigning European champions and 6-0 victors in midweek against KRC Genk, drew 1-1 with Real Vallodolid.

Excellent goals
Virtuoso second-half goals from Joaquín and Fernando Varela helped a classy Betis side to a spectacular success against Louis van Gaal's Barcelona. Alfonso, a former Barça player, had given Betis the lead from the penalty spot on 26 minutes after midfield player Capi was felled by young Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés.

Unstoppable drive
Joaquín extended his side's lead with a superb solo effort 20 minutes after the break. Making room on the right, the international winger looked up as if preparing to cross, checked inside defender Frank de Boer and then fired in past Valdés at the near post. Yet Varela's goal was even better. The young defender left four defenders in his wake as he weaved his way in from the right and then unleashed an unstoppable drive which ended up in the roof of the net.

Raúl opener
Barcelona's arch-rivals Madrid were fortunate to escape with a point against Valladolid. Spanish international striker Raúl González gave Madrid the lead against the run of play when he scored with a trademark chip on the stroke of half-time, minutes after his side had been reduced to ten men after defender Michel Salgado had been sent off. But Valladolid, who had the best chances of the match, levelled 14 minutes later when Uruguayan forward Nicolas Olivera scored from the spot after Madrid captain Fernando Hierro had conceded a penalty.

Capdevila winner
Third-placed Madrid trail Deportivo by two points, although the Galicians have played a game more. Depor needed a last-gasp strike from defender Joan Capdevila to seal a 2-1 win at Alavés and join RC Celta de Vigo, who play on Sunday, at the top of the fledgling table on nine points. It was not all plain sailing for Deportivo, however, as they had to come from behind following Iván Alonso's opening goal in the 54th minute. Diego Tristán pulled Depor level in the 71st minute before Capdevila had the final say.