Alves stunner helps Barca to 2-1 win over Getafe

MADRID, March 19 (Reuters) - Dani Alves struck a stunning goal to set Barcelona on the way to a 2-1 win at home to Getafe on Saturday that stretched the champions' lead over Real Madrid to eight points at the top of La Liga.
A headed clearance looped into the Brazilian defender's path in the 17th minute at the Nou Camp and he caught the falling ball perfectly on the half-volley to send it fizzing past
Getafe goalkeeper Jordi Codina from 25 metres.
Striker Bojan Krkic added a second goal with a deflected shot five minutes after halftime before Manu del Moral netted a fine volley in the 88th minute for the mid-table visitors to set Barca's nerves jangling in the final moments.
Barcelona have 78 points from 29 matches. Real, who have 70 from 28, can trim the gap back to five points with a win at city rivals Atletico in Saturday's late game (2100 GMT).
"More than the great goal I prefer to focus on the work of the team and above all the victory," Alves said. "We got a very important win against a very well-organised team," he added in a television interview.
There was an emotional atmosphere at Barca's vast stadium as the local fans paid tribute before kickoff to defender Eric Abidal, who had an operation on a liver tumour on Thursday.
Players from both teams wore T-shirts with a message of support for the France international as they walked out on to the pitch and there was an ovation for Abidal in the 22nd minute corresponding to his shirt number.
In the earlier kickoff, Jonathan de Guzman lashed in a freekick to give Real Mallorca a 1-0 home win over 10-man Real Zaragoza and lift Michael Laudrup's side to ninth on 38 points.
Zaragoza, who are only four points above the relegation zone, had goalkeeper Toni Doblas sent off in the 64th minute for handling the ball outside his area.
They almost snatched a point when Braulio curled a shot against the crossbar in the second minute of added time.