Real Madrid battled back from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla 3-2 on Saturday and reclaim top spot in the Spanish first division with Rafael Van der Vaart grabbing a stoppage-time winner. After 10-man Barcelona were held 2-2 by Almeria, the incentive was on Real who had the chance to go ahead of the Catalans on goal difference, and they managed it in dramatic fashion at the Bernabeu.
They went two goals down through an own-goal from Xabi Alonso and an Ivica Dragutinovic free-kick that caught out Real keeper Iker Casillas. But Real then piled on the pressure with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos drawing their side level.
It appeared as though Real would have to settle for a draw before a grandstand finish saw Van der Vaart slot home from close range.
"Psychologically the win is very important. We were asleep in the first 15 minutes, still thinking about Barcelona's draw with Almeria and the possibility of being leaders," said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini.
"This did not reflect how we have played at the Bernabeu this season and in the last 20-25 minutes of the first half we started to find our feet and create chances.
"The win was very important but it did not reflect the gulf between the sides." Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez was emphatic in his appraisal of his opponents.
"They are the best I have ever seen and I have seen a lot. They produced the electric football that they often can and we were a dignified opponent which lost in the final moments," he said.
A brace from Lionel Messi rescued a point for Barcelona at modest Almeria. Domingo Cisma put the home side in front after he beat Carles Puyol in the air to head past keeper Victor Valdes.
Messi equalised, though, after a contentious free-kick was awarded for a foul on Zlatan Ibrahim-ovic.
An own-goal from Puyol, and then the expulsion of Ibrahimovic for kicking out, put Almeria firmly in the driving seat but Messi was Barca's saviour, scoring his second from close range mid-way through the second half. "At times when you have ten the opposition try and hold onto the win," said Barca coach Pep Guardiola.
"Generally we found it hard to play against a team that was tactically sound and in good form. I am not unhappy and I think overall we were okay."
Earlier, a fine strike from Jose Guardado helped Deportivo La Coruna come from behind to beat Tenerife 3-1 and boost their European ambitions. Deportivo had plenty of early possession but poor defending saw Juanlu Hens give Tenerife the lead.
Juan Rodriguez headed Deportivo level and while they continued to press forward it was Tenerife that went closest to scoring again when Juan Nino saw a close-range shot saved well by keeper Daniel Aranzubia shortly before half time.
A powerful left-footed drive from Guardado found the corner after 55 minutes and from there Deportivo never looked back with Diego Colotto adding to their lead.
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