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Because of Champions League commitments and TV rights issues the majority of the games in the Primera Liga were played on Saturday night.
League leader FC Barcelona was among the first to kick off, in a potentially difficult match away to Valladolid.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola rested several key players such as Leo Messi and Thierry Henry, who had been away on international duty. As a result his side suffered for the entire 90 minutes, buta first half goal from Samuel Eto'o was enough to secure a vital 0-1 win.
Meanwhile Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid triumphed 1-0 in Malaga. The result leaves his side six points behind Barcelona.
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Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain (R) kicks the ball in front of Malaga's Wellington Robson during their Spanish First Division soccer match at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga April 4, 2009. |
Forth placed Villarreal, however, slipped up away to Almeria. Manuel Pellegrini rested a host of first choice stars in preparation for next week's Champions League clash against Arsenal and saw how three first half goals, from Alvaro Negredo, Pablo Piatti and Mane resolved the game for the home side.
Athletic Bilbao defeated Mallorca 2-1 in San Mames to ease relegation worries after a poor month of March.
The night's most thrilling game saw Betis and Numancia share six goals in a dramatic contest. It was 1-1 at half time thanks to goals from Sergio Garcia and Carlos Aranda.
Jose Barkero put the visitors ahead 15 minutes from the break only for Betis to turn the score around through Capi and Ricardo Oliveira, who scored in the 90th minute.
However, an Aranda penalty, following a foul from Betis keeper Ricardo five minutes into injury time assured a dramatic end to the game and share of the points for both sides.
The remaining matches will be played on Sunday.