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Match round-up - First Division Day 32

Four more matches on Thursday, with Villarreal returning to fifth place after a controversial 2-1 win over Recreativo. Camuñas took advantage of some slack defending to give the Andalusians the lead in the first minute, but Llorente caught out Riesgo with a lob from a wide angle to equalise shortly before the break. And midway through the second half referee González Vázquez ruled that Cani's chip had crossed the line before a defender hooked it away, waving away the heated protests from the visitors.

Atlético Madrid stay out of the European spots though after a 5-1 thrashing by Racing Santander. Defenders Cristian Fernández and Garay put the Cantabrians two up in the first quarter of an hour, and Tchité made it three before the break. Forlán got one back from the penalty spot on the hour mark after Agüero was fouled by Colsa, but a clever chip from Munitis and a header by Zigic from Colsa's cross completed the rout.

Mallorca moved closer to safety after a 2-0 victory over Valladolid, and the Balearic Islanders moved to within a point of their opponents in the table. Both goals came in the last quarter of the match from forgotten striker Keita, who beat the excellent Asenjo within twelve minutes of coming on, and then wrapped things up from Castro's cross late on.

Further down the table, Espanyol's late fight back continued with a 0-3 win over relegation rivals Sporting Gijón. Nené volleyed the Catalans in to the lead before the break, and strikes from Román and Callejón in a two minute period midway through the second half took Pochettino's side to within a point of the Asturians. (23.04.09)

Barcelona replied to Real Madrid's victory the day before with an impressive 4-0 win over Sevilla on Wednesday. Within three minutes Iniesta had given Guardiola's side the lead, and Eto'o made it two with just over a quarter of an hour gone. Xavi got the third soon after the restart, an all time record 92nd of the league season, and Henry finished things off with a fourth soon afterwards after picking up an assist from Iniesta, who had a hand in all the goals.

Valencia closed to within two points of Sevilla after a 1-2 win at Betis. All the goals came after the break, with David Villa turning in Mata's cross and then latching on to Edu's pass to score his second of the evening. Oliveira got a late consolation after Juanma put him through on a quick breakaway, but it ame too late to change the result. It was Valencia's fifth victory in a row, and a first defeat for Betis new coach José María Nogués.

Málaga are up to fifth pending Thursday's games after coming from behind to beat Osasuna 2-3. Apoño opened the scoring early on for the visitors from the penalty spot, but strikes from Plasil and Nekounam turned the scoreline around. Puñal, Gámez and Josetxo were all sent off either side of half time though, and goals from Lolo and Salva gave the visitors the win. Osasuna ended with eight men after Vadocz was also red-carded near the end.

Deportivo stay just a point behind Málaga though after a 2-0 victory over Almería. Verdú got the first a few minutes in to the second half after Bodipo played on Guardado's cross, and substitute Lassad made it two later on after Mané failed to cut out a long pass from Filipe. (22.04.09)

A remarkable match in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday evening, where Real Madrid beat neighbours Getafe 3-2 in the last minute to move to within three points of leaders Barcelona pending their game on Wednesday. Soldado headed the first against his old club in the tenth minute, and although Higuaín levelled the scores on the stroke of half time, Albín restored the lead with six minutes to go. Guti equalised two minutes later with a well-struck free kick, but Getafe should have scored again from the penalty spot after Pepe fouled Casquero, the defender losing it completely and getting himself sent off for a vicious kick on his opponent as he lay on the ground. Casquero chipped a soft penalty straight at Casillas though, and with the game in injury time Higuaín ran through to score the winner.

Athletic Bilbao moved a step closer to safety after a 1-2 victory against bottom club Numancia. The locals took the lead early on when Cisma's long shot took a deflection off a defender, and Athletic were left with ten men soon afterwards when Aitor Ocio picked up a second booking. But Toquero equalised with an impressive shot on the half hour mark, and Llorente gave his side the three points with a second goal soon after the restart. Numbers were evened up a few minutes later when Boris also picked up a second yellow card. (21.04.09)