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Real Zaragoza 1-4 Barcelona

Real Zaragoza 1-4 Barcelona
© PA Photos
Barcelona move to within three points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 4-1 win at Real Zaragoza.

Barcelona have moved to within three points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 4-1 win at Real Zaragoza.

The hosts could have taken the lead after 24 minutes when Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes brought down Angel Lafita for a penalty. However, Valdes was able to get down to low to save Carlos Aranda's spot kick and keep the scores level.

Zaragoza made the breakthrough six minutes later when Aranda inventively headed in the rebound after Valdes had saved the striker's initial shot with his legs.

The visitors pulled themselves level on 36 minutes thanks to Carles Puyol's finish after goalkeeper Roberto Gago had flapped from a corner.

Barca took the lead soon after as Lionel Messi lashed the ball home after a quick counter-attack.

Zaragoza were reduced to 10 men before the break when Abraham Minero picked up his second yellow card for a trip on Alexis Sanchez.

Despite being kept at bay for large spells of the second half, Barcelona stretched their lead with five minutes to play as Messi converted from the spot following Javier Paredes's foul on Sanchez.

Pep Guardiola's side sealed the win in the second minute of injury time when Messi played in Pedro with a chipped pass to allow the midfielder to fire in.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid85301761118
3Villarreal85211715217
4Atletico MadridAtletico8440124816
5Osasuna94321314-115
6Athletic Bilbao8422128414
7Mallorca942398114
8Real BetisBetis833287112
9Rayo Vallecano824298110
10Celta Vigo83141515010
11AlavesAlaves83141112-110
12Espanyol9315913-410
13GironaGirona8233911-29
14Sevilla8233810-29
15Real Sociedad822467-18
16Getafe915367-18
17Leganes915359-48
18Valencia9135513-86
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas8035916-73


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