Barca draw offers Real hope

26 April 2009 01:15
Barcelona offered Real Madrid hope in the La Liga title race after they had to rely on a late Thierry Henry equaliser to draw 2-2 at Valencia.All looked to be going to plan for La Liga's leaders when Lionel Messi put them ahead after 24 minutes at the Mestalla.But the hosts turned the match on its head with two goals in three minutes just before half-time through Hedwiges Maduro and Pablo Hernandez.Substitute Henry rescued a point for Pep Guardiola's side four minutes from time as Barca moved seven points clear at the summit, but Madrid visit Sevilla tomorrow looking to cut the deficit to just four points ahead of El Clasico next weekend.Elsewhere on Saturday night, Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at La Rosaleda to both remain in contention for a place in next season's Europa League.Malaga, who began the day in sixth place, took the lead after 32 minutes through much-travelled striker Albert Luque.But Depor, in seventh before this match with a point fewer than the Andalusians, hit back five minutes into the second half through Sergio Gonzalez.At the other end, Almeria look virtually safe from relegation after beating basement boys Numancia 2-1.Hugo Sanchez's side reached the 40-point mark with first-half goals from Kalu Uche and Fernando Soriano sealing a deserved win.The visitors hit back through Asier Goiria with nine minutes left, but were unable to find a way back into the game.[LNB]

Source: Eurosport