MADRID, March 30 (Reuters) – Barcelona and Real Madrid both drew away against sides battling relegation in La Liga on Saturday as the top two focused their attentions on next week’s Champions League quarter-finals.

A weakened Barca were held to a 2-2 draw at lowly Celta Vigo when Borja Oubina headed an 88th-minute equaliser that left the leaders on 75 points with nine games left to play.

MADRID (Reuters) – France and Spain were bitter enemies in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday but a flourishing Franco-Spanish relationship in San Sebastian is helping Real Sociedad realise a long-forgotten European dream.

The Basque club travel to play Espanyol on Sunday (6 p.m. British Time) looking to strengthen their grip on fourth place with the possibility of earning Champions League football for next season an unexpected new objective.

MADRID, March 28 (Reuters) – France and Spain were bitter enemies in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday but a flourishing Franco-Spanish relationship in San Sebastian is helping Real Sociedad realise a long-forgotten European dream.

The Basque club travel to play Espanyol on Sunday (1800 GMT)looking to strengthen their grip on fourth place with the possibility of earning Champions League football for next season an unexpected new objective.

MADRID (Reuters) – Forced to field a second-choice keeper and defender would be a worry for most teams needing to win in Paris but the performances of Victor Valdes and Nacho Monreal were further evidence of Spain’s enviable strength in depth on Tuesday.

The world champions were 1-0 victors over France, recovering from consecutive home draws which had raised the prospect of having to qualify for the 2014 World Cup through the playoffs, to return to the top of Group I.

MADRID, March 27 (Reuters) – Forced to field a second-choice keeper and defender would be a worry for most teams needing to win in Paris but the performances of Victor Valdes and Nacho Monreal were further evidence of Spain’s enviable strength in depth on Tuesday.

The world champions were 1-0 victors over France, recovering from consecutive home draws which had raised the prospect of having to qualify for the 2014 World Cup through the playoffs, to return to the top of Group I.

MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s trip to play group leaders France on Tuesday assumed even greater significance after a shock 1-1 home draw with Finland left the champions contemplating the playoffs to make the World Cup finals.

Some resolute defending and Teemu Pukki’s 79th-minute strike on the counter-attack left Vicente del Bosque’s side second in Group I, two points behind France with four games left to play.

MADRID, March 23 (Reuters) – Spain’s trip to play group leaders France on Tuesday assumed even greater significance after a shock 1-1 home draw with Finland left the champions contemplating the playoffs to make the World Cup finals.

Some resolute defending and Teemu Pukki’s 79th-minute strike on the counter-attack left Vicente del Bosque’s side second in Group I, two points behind France with four games left to play.

MADRID (Reuters) – Lionel Messi scored twice, netting in his 18th consecutive league match, as Barcelona overcame Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at the Nou Camp to restore their 13-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

The World Player of the Year was in devastating form along with David Villa, laying on the first for the Spain striker before Villa returned the favour twice, either side of the break.

MADRID, March 17 (Reuters) – Lionel Messi scored twice, netting in his 18th consecutive league match, as Barcelona overcame Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at the Nou Camp to restore their 13-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

The World Player of the Year was in devastating form along with David Villa, laying on the first for the Spain striker before Villa returned the favour twice, either side of the break.

MADRID (Reuters) – Real Madrid woke from their slumbers with a three-goal blast at the start of the second half as they came back to beat lowly Real Mallorca 5-2 in La Liga on Saturday.

Third from bottom Mallorca twice went in front with headers against a seemingly distracted Madrid at the Bernabeu before the hosts rallied.