Real victory delays Barca title another week

Reuters: Leaders Barcelona will have to wait at least another week to wrap up the La Liga title after Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to lead second-placed Real Madrid to a 4-3 comeback success at home to Real Valladolid on Saturday.

If Real had failed to win, victory for Barca against Real Betis at the Nou Camp on Sunday would have secured a fourth title in five years as they would have been at least 13 points clear with only four games left and 12 points available.

Jose Mourinho’s Real side are refusing to relinquish their league crown without making it as difficult as possible for their bitter rivals in the final weeks of the campaign even if they gave up on the title several months ago after a poor start.

Real’s victory lifted them to 77 points from 34 matches, eight behind Barca and eight ahead of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruna in the late kick off.