Late-show Ronaldo keeps Real in Spanish league title hunt

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals, including a late headed winner, as Real Madrid twice came from behind to beat Osasuna 3-2 on Sunday and cut the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just one point.

Real got off to the worst possible start as a poor back pass by Raul Albiol allowed in Carlos Aranda to give Osasuna the lead.

Real looked to battle back with Kaka heading straight at keeper Ricardo Lopez while Osasuna remained a danger on the counter-attack.

Ronaldo brought Real level with a strike from the edge of the area but as Real continued to press Krisztian Vadocz smashed in Osasuna’s second.

In a breathless conclusion to the first half, Marcelo scored a rare header to equalise to Real again.

Substitute Masoud Soleimani missed an open goal for Osasuna as the visitors missed several excellent chances and the game appeared to be heading for a draw until Ronaldo headed home a Gonzalo Higuain cross from close range.

Real are now once again on the shoulders of Barcelona who responded in style to their heartbreaking Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan with a 4-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday.

A brace from Lionel Messi along with goals from Xavi Hernandez and Bojan Krikic led the Catalans to victory with a single strike from Joseba Llorente the only reply.

An Alvaro Negredo penalty double helped Sevilla beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and move them up to fourth in La Liga, boosting their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season.

Sevilla leap-frogged Real Mallorca, who face Athletic Bilbao later, into the final Champions League place after their comfortable victory.

In a forerunner of the Copa del Rey final later this month, there was a flurry of early goals with an unmarked Luis Fabiano putting the home side ahead after five minutes.

Tiago Cardoso then levelled after latching onto a loose ball in the box.

Negredo restored Sevilla’s advantage with a penalty after Juan Valera upended Adriano Correia and then, six minutes before half-time, scored his second spot kick following a foul by Luis Perea on Fabiano.

It was a crude challenge by the Colombian which forced Fabiano off the pitch with an ankle injury which is expected to keep him out for up to ten days and puts him in danger of missing the cup final.

“It was not an easy game as the Atletico players are professionals and did not make it easy for us,” said Sevilla coach Antonio Alvarez.

“Fabiano’s ankle is swollen but it is not as bad as we thought at first and he should be okay for the cup final (May 19).”

A brace from substitute Nicola Zigic saw Valencia beat Espanyol 2-0 and consolidate third place.

Getafe’s Europa League hopes suffered a blow after they were held 0-0 away to relegation threatened Valladolid.

Tenerife beat Racing Santander 2-1 but remain in the bottom three on goal difference after Malaga drew 1-1 with Sporting Gijon.