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Atleti win at Valencia to move closer to title

Ronaldo nets brace as Real win 4-0 against lowly Osasuna

Atletico Madrid moved even closer to their first Spanish league title in 18 years on Sunday with a 1-0 victory at Valencia.

Raul Garcia scored with an expert header in the 43^rd minute, and Atletico’s defense did the rest as they gave Valencia no chance to rally at their Mestalla Stadium.

Diego Simeone’s side moved six points clear of Real Madrid, which have a game advantage, while Barcelona trail by seven points before hosting Villarreal later.

Atletico can now focus on the Champions League semi-finals when they travel to Chelsea on Wednesday with their tie poised after a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Atletico defender Juanfran Torres was shown a direct red card for tackling Pablo Piatti from behind in stoppage time.

Real Madrid’s rampant Cristiano Ronaldo looked to be back at his best as he scored at the start of each half to set up a 4-0 victory over lowly Osasuna on Saturday.

Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal also netted for Real who are second on 82 points, three behind Atletico before their trip to Valencia on Sunday with both teams having played 34 games.

Barcelona, mourning the death of former coach Tito Vilanova on Friday, are now in third place with 81 points from 34 matches and travel to Villarreal on Sunday.

Real did not risk Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema against Osasuna ahead of their Champions league semi-final second leg at Bayern Munich on Tuesday in which they hold a 1-0 advantage.

But there was no holding Ronaldo, who only returned from injury in Wednesday’s first leg against Bayern at the Bernabeu having been out since early April, as he cut in from the left wing and fired into the corner of the net after six minutes. The prolific Portuguese forward then cracked home a fine long-range drive after 52 minutes before being substituted leaving Ramos and Carvajal to wrap up the win with headers.

“Cristiano is fine and he played with more assuredness and confidence than on Wednesday. It all went well for him and us,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference.

“We were able to rest some players and it was a good game even though there was no great intensity.”

The Italian added that Bale and Benzema will be fine to face Bayern, saying: “Benzema is improving and won’t have any problems for Tuesday. He will train normally tomorrow.

“Bale had a cold that has left him very weak and we have preferred that he trains on his own but he will also be ready to play,” he said.

Earlier, Adrian Colunga struck for Getafe who beat Malaga 1-0 to boost their survival hopes.

Osasuna went out with the aim of being solid and frustrating Real as they did at home in the league, where they got a point, but Ronaldo only needed a sniff of goal which fullback Damia Abella gave him after a few minutes and he was unforgiving.

Real controlled the midfield with Osasuna limited to counter-attacks where they created little danger.