Messi Goal Proves Decisive for Barcelona; Marcelo sees Real Madrid past Recre

Getafe 0 - Barcelona 1 (La Liga, April 18, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Lionel Messi finished off a move involving Eto’o and Xavi to put Barcelona into the lead at Getafe. Later in the first half Thierry Henry missed a one-on-one chance to double the scoreline.

Recreativo Huelva  0 - Real Madrid 1 (La Liga, April 18, 2009) Marcelo ran onto Gago’s precise through pass in the 49th minute to seal victory for Real and keep alive their hopes of overhauling their rivals as the season draws to a close.

Athletic Bilbao 0 - Deportivo La Coruna 1 (La Liga, April 18, 2009) Pablo Alvarez’s 86th minute shot deflected off a defender to land in goal and leave Athletic at the bottom of the standings.

Malaga 1 - Mallorca 1 (La Liga, April 18, 2009) Following a largely forgettable first half with few chances for either side, Malaga took the lead after 53 minutes through Apono. Mallorca hit back just six minutes later with a free-kick from captain Juan Arango and held on nervously at the end to move a point closer to survival.

Atletico Madrid 3 - Numancia 0 (La Liga, April 18, 2009) Ever Banega, Diego Forlan and Sabrosa Simao scored second half goals, for Atletico to tie fourth-place Valencia.