Barcelona maintained their eight-point lead atop the Spanish Liga on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 home defeat of lowly Osasuna, with goals from strikers David Villa and Lionel Messi.Barca now have 88 points from 33 games, eight more than second- place Real Madrid, who followed up Wednesday's cup final triumph by thrashing feeble Valencia 6-3 away earlier on Saturday.
Both Barca and Real fielded reserve-packed teams, in order to rest key players ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final between the twin giants.
Villa gave Barca the lead in the 24th minute by pushing in, at the far post, a delicious centre from young winger Jeffren. It was Villa's first league goal in 12 matches, ending the longest drought of his career.
Barca keeper Victor Valdes pulled off a sharp save just before half-time to deny Osasuna's Damia an equalizer.
Barca idols Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi came off the subs' bench in the second half, and Messi made it 2-0 right at the end with a calm right-footed finish after being played through by Dani Alves.
It was Messi's 31st league goal and keeps him two ahead of Real's Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the only goal in Wednesday's cup final.
The latest defeat leaves Osasuna fifth from bottom and in serious trouble.
Earlier Saturday, Real Madrid's reserves enjoyed a 6-3 romp at Valencia, in a game that confirmed the massive gulf between Spain's top two and La Liga's other teams.
Valencia are currently third, but their pathetic defence was torn apart by Gonzalo Higuain, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
Higuain scored a hat-trick, Kaka got a brace and Benzema scored Real's other goal. All three were keen to impress coach Jose Mourinho, in the hope of starting Wednesday's Champions League semi- final at home to Barcelona.
Mourinho said afterward: "We will keep fighting (in the league) until it is mathematically impossible. I am very happy with the way the players responded today."
The Portuguese coach declined to discuss the Champions League semis: "I don't want to talk about Barcelona now. We have to disconnect physically and psychologically. On Monday we will think about Barca."
Mourinho fielded only two players, goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Ricardo Carvalho, who started Wednesday's cup final. The other starters were all rested ahead of the Euro semis.
Benzema gave Real the lead in the 23rd minute, Higuain made it 2-0 eight minutes later, and Kaka took advantage of yet more defensive chaos to add a third goal.
Higuain rounded off a perfect first half for the visitors by making it 4-0.
The Argentine striker completed his hat-trick after the restart, then Roberto Soldado pulled a goal back for Valencia. Kaka added a sixth goal for Real, then the visitors relaxed, allowing Jonas and Jordi Alba to score two more consolation goals for the hosts at the end.
Valencia stay third despite the thrashing, six points ahead of local rivals Villarreal in the battle for direct entry to the Champions League.
Sunday's late game was scheduled to be the Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao, who are fifth, and midtable Real Sociedad.
Both Barca and Real fielded reserve-packed teams, in order to rest key players ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final between the twin giants.
Villa gave Barca the lead in the 24th minute by pushing in, at the far post, a delicious centre from young winger Jeffren. It was Villa's first league goal in 12 matches, ending the longest drought of his career.
Barca keeper Victor Valdes pulled off a sharp save just before half-time to deny Osasuna's Damia an equalizer.
Barca idols Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi came off the subs' bench in the second half, and Messi made it 2-0 right at the end with a calm right-footed finish after being played through by Dani Alves.
It was Messi's 31st league goal and keeps him two ahead of Real's Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored the only goal in Wednesday's cup final.
The latest defeat leaves Osasuna fifth from bottom and in serious trouble.
Earlier Saturday, Real Madrid's reserves enjoyed a 6-3 romp at Valencia, in a game that confirmed the massive gulf between Spain's top two and La Liga's other teams.
Valencia are currently third, but their pathetic defence was torn apart by Gonzalo Higuain, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
Higuain scored a hat-trick, Kaka got a brace and Benzema scored Real's other goal. All three were keen to impress coach Jose Mourinho, in the hope of starting Wednesday's Champions League semi- final at home to Barcelona.
Mourinho said afterward: "We will keep fighting (in the league) until it is mathematically impossible. I am very happy with the way the players responded today."
The Portuguese coach declined to discuss the Champions League semis: "I don't want to talk about Barcelona now. We have to disconnect physically and psychologically. On Monday we will think about Barca."
Mourinho fielded only two players, goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Ricardo Carvalho, who started Wednesday's cup final. The other starters were all rested ahead of the Euro semis.
Benzema gave Real the lead in the 23rd minute, Higuain made it 2-0 eight minutes later, and Kaka took advantage of yet more defensive chaos to add a third goal.
Higuain rounded off a perfect first half for the visitors by making it 4-0.
The Argentine striker completed his hat-trick after the restart, then Roberto Soldado pulled a goal back for Valencia. Kaka added a sixth goal for Real, then the visitors relaxed, allowing Jonas and Jordi Alba to score two more consolation goals for the hosts at the end.
Valencia stay third despite the thrashing, six points ahead of local rivals Villarreal in the battle for direct entry to the Champions League.
Sunday's late game was scheduled to be the Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao, who are fifth, and midtable Real Sociedad.
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