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Match round-up - First Division, Day 36 (Games brought forward due to Cup Final)

Barcelona are not able to celebrate the league title just yet after Real Madrid beat Málaga 6-2 on Wednesday evening. Had Mourinho's side dropped points in this match brought forward from day 36, they would not have been able to catch their arch-rivals in the table. However they took the lead in only the second minute when Albiol headed in a Modric corner, and although Santa Cruz made it all square following an Isco corner a quarter of an hour later, strikes by Ronaldo and Özil around the half hour mark put the locals back in front. Before that though the visitors were left with ten men when Sergio Sánchez was sent off for giving away a penalty on Ronaldo, and although Caballero stuck out a foot to save Ronaldo's spot kick, the impact forced him off the field with an ankle injury before the break. Pellegrini's side didn't give up immediately though, Antunes getting one back with an impressive shot from outside of the area. But Ronaldo set up Benzema for a fourth goal on the stroke of half time, and Modric made it five with a long shot in off the post midway through the second half. Then with a quarter of an hour to go Demichelis followed Sánchez down the tunnel after picking up a second booking, and Di María beat replacement keeper Kameni in injury time to complete the "set".

Madrid stay eight points ahead of the other cup-finalist Atlético Madrid after Simeone's team won 1-3 at Celta earlier in the evening. The visitors dominated the first half, with Diego Costa, Falcao and Adrián all failing to convert chances, although Courtois had to make an important save from Krohn-Dehli in between. Just two minutes in to the second half though Diego Costa headed the opener after Miranda headed on Koke's corner, and Juanfran made it two a few minutes later after picking up Costa's pass outside of the area and firing in a shot which took a deflection off Roberto Lago. With seven minutes to go Celta got back in the game, Courtois pushing out a shot from De Lucas but then allowing Augusto's follow up shot under his body, putting an end to a club record run away from home of 680 minutes without letting in a goal (the previous record holder was the current Celta coach, Abel Resino). But just three minutes later Falcao picked up the ball inside the area and turned past his marker to wrap things up. The result ensures Atlético third spot at least, but leaves the Galicians still down in next to bottom spot, two points away from safety having played a game more than their immediate rivals. (08.05.13)