A Bale penalty early in the second half then assured the points for Madrid.

Valencia strengthened their already powerful grip on a place in next season's Champions League with a 1-0 win away to Leganes.

A goal from Spain international Rodrigo Moreno following a defensive error separated the two sides in a dull game where tactics generally got the better of attacking flare.

Valencia now have a 15 point lead over fifth placed Villarreal after Villarreal lost 1-0 away to bottom of the table Malaga, who claimed their first win of 2018 thanks to Chori Castro's solitary goal.

The first two games of the weekend ended in 1-1 draws between Girona and Levante and Athletic Club Bilbao and Celta Vigo.

Espanyol and Alaves produced a 0-0 draw to get Sunday started with a game containing few clear chances, while the Basque derby between Eibar and Real Sociedad also ended goalless in Imanol's first game in charge for the visitors after replacing Eusebio Sacristan as coach.

Alex Granell and Jose Luis Morales assured a share of the points in Girona, while Brice Mendez's 91st minute equalizer canceled out Unai Nunez's opener for Athletic Club.

【体坛英语资讯：Messi the hero again as Barca retain unbeaten record in matchday 30】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Kenyans dominate track events in Osaka

★ 体坛英语资讯：Li Na wins as Peng Shuai crashes

★ 体坛英语资讯：Alonso and Hamilton wait on FIA hearings

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Nicole Richie enters anti-drinking program

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Lindsay Lohans Ronson ring

★ 体坛英语资讯：Rocket explosion

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Brosnan cleared in scuffle with photographer

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hosts hopes up in the air at World Cup

★ 体坛英语资讯：Joness agent suspended by US governing body

★ 体坛英语资讯：Officials: Player swaps help golf grow in China