MADRID, Dec. 11-- Luis Suarez and Leo Messi both scored as FC Barcelona won 2-0 away to Villarreal to maintain their 5-point lead at the top of the Liga Santander at the end of matchday 15 of the season, which was played over this weekend. Barca once again made hard work of their win, but after Gerard Pique hit the post in a first half during which Villarreal finished stronger, their job was made a lot easier when Villarreal youngster Raba was sent off for a wild challenge on Sergio Busquets in the 60th minute. Suarez hit the post again shortly afterwards, but the Uruguayan opened the scoring in the 72nd minute after a swift exchange of passes with Paco Alcacer. Ter Stegen made a great save to deny Manu Trigueros as Villarreal worked bravely to get a point, but Messi sealed the win with 7 minutes left following an error from Villarreal defender Victor Ruiz. On Saturday, Real Madrid needed just 45 minutes to secure a surprisingly easy home win against a decaffeinated Sevilla on Saturday, while Valencia had to work hard to defeat Celta Vigo 2-1 Cristiano Ronaldo showed off the Golden Ball trophy he had been awarded during the week and celebrated with his third and fourth league goals of the season as Madrid took advantage of a Sevilla who were well below their best. Nacho Fernandez opened the scoring following a corner after just three minutes, and after Ronaldo's two goals, further strikes from Tony Kroos and Achraf Hakimi, who netted his first goal for the club, confirmed the win. |