Real Moves Farther From La Liga Title

Real Madrid just increased its pints gap with the La Liga current title holder Barcelona after a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on January 7 at Balaidos.

Maxi Gomez scored an 82nd-minute equalizer for Celta Vigo to extend Real Madrid’s winless away run in La Liga to four matches.

Defeat at Girona and goalless stalemates at Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao plunged Madrid into worrying run of away form, although a 3-0 home reverse to fierce rivals Barcelona in their last league outing is likely to have given them the bigger headache over the Christmas period.

According to Beinsports.com, Zinedine Zidane’s men were unable to break that streak on Sunday, despite the best efforts of Gareth Bale, who scored both of the visitors’ goals in his first league start since September following calf and hamstring problems.

Iago Aspas hit the post for Celta before Daniel Wass opened the scoring with a wonderful chipped goal.

But the hosts’ lead lasted only three minutes, with Bale netting the leveler before firing Zidane’s side in front two minutes later.

Celta was given a golden opportunity to restore parity when Keylor Navas conceded a penalty after 72 minutes, but the Costa Rica international atoned for his error by saving Aspas’ spot-kick.

However, there was another chance for Celta to claim a share of the spoils, and Gomez evaded a napping Madrid defense to power home a header eight minutes from time.

The European champion is now on the worst away run in a decade and trail leader Barcelona by 16 points.

 Barca Sticks to Title

On the other side, situation for Barca is quite desirable; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paulinho were on target as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 home win against Levante on Sunday which saw La Liga’s leader stretch its advantage over Atletico Madrid to nine points.

Messi drew level with Gerd Muller as the most prolific player for a single club in Europe’s top five leagues by scoring his 365th La Liga goal on his 400th appearance in the Spanish top flight, neatly volleying in an early opener.

And Suarez’s strike was also a milestone goal, a powerful volley before half-time his 132nd for the club, moving him above Samuel Eto’o to become Barca’s seventh-most prolific goalscorer. Paulinho added late gross by finishing off Messi’s magical assist.