La Liga wrap: Real maintain advantage

Real Madrid held off a late rally from Valencia to win 3-2 on Saturday, preserving their three-point lead over Barcelona in La Liga.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for visitors Real 20 minutes into the match at Estadio Mestalla.

The France international controlled a quick free-kick from Xabi Alonso with his left foot before rifling a fantastic volley into the back of the net from 18 yards out.

Real had to wait until the 72nd minute to find net again, with defender Sergio Ramos heading home from Mesut Oezil’s corner.

The goal appeared to give Madrid the breathing space they needed to see out the rest of the game.

Valencia, however, saw the situation differently, as Roberto Soldado volleyed through a crowded penalty area to make it 2-1 on 75 minutes.

Four minutes later and Cristiano Ronaldo restored Real’s two-goal buffer, slotting home from the tightest of angles after Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves overcommitted.

But the end-to-end nature of the game was not over yet, as Soldado grabbed a second following some superb build-up play from substitute Pablo.

The match ended in controversy, with Valencia’s players surrounding the referee after Ronaldo appeared to stop a last-minute goal-bound effort with his arm.

Jose Mourinho’s team survived the appeals to record the win, which sees them remain top by three points from champions Barcelona, who eased to a 4-0 victory at home to Real Zaragoza.

Centre-back Gerard Pique opened the scoring through a header 18 minutes into the match at Camp Nou.

Argentine star Lionel Messi made it 2-0 three minutes before the break, finding space to shoot after being played in by Cesc Fabregas.

Veteran skipper Carles Puyol scrambled home a third from close range on 54 minutes.

And David Villa completed the scoring with 15 minutes remaining, netting a diving header at the back post for his first league goal since September.

In the other match on Saturday, Borja Valero’s 21st-minute effort was enough for Villarreal to see off promoted team Real Betis 1-0 at home.