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Some disappointing results for La Liga sides in Europe midweek, with Valencia losing 1-2 to Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid being held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United in the first leg of the Champions League knock-out stages. Rami did give the Ches an outside hope though with a late goal in the Mestalla stadium, and Ronaldo's headed goal in the Bernabeu was so impressive it provoked an entertaining photo montage competition in local newspaper Marca: see link. Only Levante managed a positive result though, a 3-0 win over Michel's Olympiacos (goals by Pedro Ríos, Barkero and Martins) giving them a strong foothold in the last sixteen of the Europa League. However defending champions Atlético Madrid are virtually out of the competition after they were beaten 0-2 by Rubin Kazan.

Leo Messi came to Barcelona's rescue at the weekend, his two goals at Granada helping his side come back from a goal down to keep up their twelve point lead at the top of the table. That took him on to 301 for his club to date, and it extended his record scoring run in consecutive league matches to fourteen games. Falcao scored his twentieth in the league in Atlético's 0-3 win at Valladolid on Sunday to keep in third spot behind Messi and Ronaldo, and you have to go back over 50 years since three strikers passed that mark at this stage in the season. Diego Costa was also on the scoresheet in that match, his 10th of the season in all competitions. Elsewhere Soldado notched up his twelfth in the league to draw level with Aduríz for the "Zarra" award, and Riki, Saviola and Carlos Vela were also on target in their respective games. (19.02.13)

Pichichi League Cup Europe Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 37 6 5 48 (5)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 24 6 7 37 (5)
Falcao (Atlético) 20 1 3 24 (6)
Soldado (Valencia) 12 2 4 18 (4)
Aduríz (Athletic Bilbao) 12 1 3 16 (1)
Negredo (Sevilla) 10 6 0 16 (5)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 12 3 0 15 (1)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 6 4 3 13 (0)
David Villa (Barcelona) 6 5 0 11 (0)
Piti (Rayo Vallecano) 10 0 0 10 (3)
Vela (Real Sociedad) 10 0 0 10 (4)
Isco (Málaga) 8 0 2 10 (2)
Diego Costa (Atlético) 4 4 2 10 (3)
Riki (Deportivo) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Oscar (Valladolid) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Postiga (Zaragoza) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Higuaín (Real Madrid) 8 1 0 9 (0)
Fàbregas (Barcelona) 6 2 1 9 (0)
Jonas (Valencia) 4 1 4 9 (1)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 8 0 0 8 (2)
Martins (Levante) 7 0 1 8 (0)
Saviola (Málaga) 7 0 1 8 (0)
Santa Cruz (Málaga) 5 3 0 8 (0)
Valdez (Valencia) 5 2 1 8 (0)
Raúl García (Atlético Madrid) 4 2 2 8 (0)
Susaeta (Athletic Bilbao) 4 0 4 8 (0)