La Liga is back from the winter break with a couple upsets already in the book that are shifting things around on the lower half of the table. At the top, Real Madrid and Barcelona both won.
La Liga 2013, Week 18: Madrid survives against Sociedad, Barcelona hammers Espanyol
Barca celebrate Vilanova’s return with a win
David RamosBarca added their second goal in the 15th minute with some more teamwork. Messi found Cesc Fábregas on the right side of the Espanyol box, who proceeded to dance around the defense before centering to Messi. The Argentine striker put the ball on frame and it was toe poked by Pedro, changing the direction of the ball more than enough to leave Francisco Casilla frozen.
Sergio García had a chance to pull one back for Espanyol in the 23rd minute on a rare trip in their attacking third. Ultimately he wasted the opportunity, sending his shot well over the crossbar.
Read Article >Betis pull even with Malaga for now
Gonzalo Arroyo MorenoZaragoza had the lions share of chances in the first half, many of them from set pieces, but it was Betis who opened the scoring right before the halftime whistle. Castro ran on to a long ball, getting behind the Zaragoza defense and beating Roberto Gago with a low shot. The goal gives Castro 10 goals this season, enough for the team lead.
Molina put Betis up 2-0 in the 58th minute after intercepting a poor pass by Alvaro Gonzalez, racing in the box and putting the ball in the bottom left corner of the goal.
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