La Liga wrap: Zaragoza continue to defy drop

Real Zaragoza boosted their survival hopes with a dramatic late 3-2 victory over relegation rivals Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Zaragoza were out to end a 15-game winless streak and they did courtesy of Ruben Rochina’s 88th-minute winner at La Romareda.

The victory moved 18th-placed Zaragoza level on points with Deportivo La Coruna and Celta Vigo, who moved out of the relegation zone temporarily with a vital 1-0 win against Levante, while cellar-dwellers Mallorca are two points adrift of safety.

Mallorca made the perfect start to the proceedings on Saturday, when Israeli striker Tomer Hemed opening the scoring on 12 minutes.

However, the hosts eventually hit back with Francisco Montanes restoring parity in the 28th minute.

And Zaragoza took the lead on the hour-mark through Helder Postiga, who netted his second goal in four games.

Mallorca seemed to have salvaged a point with seven minutes remaining following Arizmendi’s equaliser but Rochina struck five minutes later to hand Zaragoza their first victory in 2013.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Real Madrid claimed a hard fought 2-1 victory over local rivals Atletico to reduce the gap at the top to 11 points, keeping their faint title hopes alive.

An own goal from Juanfran and a strike from Angel di Maria on either side of half time was enough for Real to claim the win, after Radamel Falcao had given the hosts an early lead.

Athletic Bilbao scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser as they drew 2-2 with champions-elect Barcelona to ease their relegation fears.

Barcelona started with Lionel Messi on the bench but the Argentine looked to have turned the game on its head when came on, scoring then immediately setting up Alexis Sanchez.

But it was not enough as Ander Herrera scored in the final minute to spark wild celebrations in the stands.