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.

MADRID, March 16 (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.

MADRID (Reuters) – Malaga have used medieval imagery in a promotional video for their Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Porto, seeking inspiration for an historic performance from the Spanish debutantes on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero carries a shield, defender Jesus Gamez the club colours, and forward Julio Baptista hammers out a Malaga crest in a fiery forge, while the strapline challenges fans: “We are ready. Are you?”

MADRID, March 12 (Reuters) – Malaga have used medieval imagery in a promotional video for their Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Porto, seeking inspiration for an historic performance from the Spanish debutantes on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero carries a shield, defender Jesus Gamez the club colours, and forward Julio Baptista hammers out a Malaga crest in a fiery forge, while the strapline challenges fans: “We are ready. Are you?”

MADRID (Reuters) – Radamel Falcao generally takes the credit for Atletico Madrid’s impressive run of form this season but the team have Brazilian striker Diego Costa to thank for putting them into the King’s Cup final.

The abrasive frontman led the line in the semi-final first leg against Sevilla at the Calderon, when leading scorer Falcao was out injured, and scored two penalties to help Atletico to a 2-1 victory.

MADRID, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Radamel Falcao generally takes the credit for Atletico Madrid’s impressive run of form this season but the team have Brazilian striker Diego Costa to thank for putting them into the King’s Cup final.

The abrasive frontman led the line in the semi-final first leg against Sevilla at the Calderon, when leading scorer Falcao was out injured, and scored two penalties to help Atletico to a 2-1 victory.

MADRID (Reuters) – Seemingly rudderless and leaderless, Barcelona have little time to find solutions to their dip in form but they have a chance to lift morale when they visit a distracted Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday (1500 GMT).

Holders Barca were dumped out of the King’s Cup by their arch-rivals on Tuesday, suffering a humiliating 3-1 semi-final second-leg battering in front of their own fans, to miss out on a place in the final.