MADRID, Nov. 25 -- Real Madrid opened up a 7-point lead over FC Barcelona while remaining 6 clear of Sevilla on Saturday as they rode their luck to defeat Sporting Gijon 2-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the first 18 minutes to put his side 2-0 ahead against a rival struggling in the relegation zone, Real Madrid allowed Sporting into the game.

Carlos Carmona pulled the visitors back before halftime and Duje Cop wasted a magnificent chance to take an unlikely point when he skied a penalty high and wide after a foul on Victor Rodriguez with just 15 minutes remaining.

Despite that miss Sporting kept on pressing and it was Real Madrid on a rainy afternoon who were the side asking for the final whistle.

Sevilla recovered from their midweek defeat in the Champions League with a 2-1 home win over Valencia thanks to an own goal from Ezequiel Garay and a shot from Nico Pareja following a corner 15 minutes from time.

Munir had scored for Valencia 10 minutes earlier to give them hopes of a draw, but Cesare Prandelli's side will have to keep on struggling at the wrong end of the Primera Liga table.

Malaga claimed a record equaling fifth successive home win as they won a crazy game 4-3 at home to Deportivo La Coruna.

Deportivo look an early lead thanks to a Borges penalty, but Michael Santos equalized from the penalty spot before Sandro Ramirez made it 2-1 with an excellent free kick and home fans will have thought it was game over when Santos scored Malaga's third 10 minutes after the break.

【体坛英语资讯：Real Madrid move 7 clear of Barca, while sevilla keep up the pace on Saturday in Spain】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Swiss squad for Euro 2008 opener against Czech Republic

★ 体坛英语资讯：Ekstroem beats Schumacher in Wembley final

★ 体坛资讯：Richards to meet an example, Liu Xiang to set an example

★ 体坛英语资讯：Xing Huina Redemption: Marathoner looks to US coach for second chance

★ 体坛英语资讯：Respect, admiration abound in Shanghai

★ 体坛英语资讯：Doctor: Yao Ming recovers well after foot surgery

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hamilton wants to win title on track, not on appeal

★ 体坛英语资讯：McClaren pays price for England Euro flop

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Monroe,Jolie: most seductive women of all time

★ 体坛英语资讯：Olympic champion Zhang scared at ProTour Finals