体坛英语新闻：Real defeat Barcelona in Camp Nou to virtually assure title

MADRID, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid took a huge step towards assuring the BBVA Primera Liga title on Saturday night as they defeated title rivals FC Barcelona 2-1 in the Camp Nou Stadium.

Sami Khedira and Cristiano Ronaldo scored Madrid's goals in a game they deserved to win with a fine display of pressing football and pace on the break.

Alexis Sanchez scored a goal which momentarily gave Barca hope, but the fact is that with Madrid leading by seven points with four matches left to play, it need a disaster to stop Madrid claiming the title.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho kept faith with the side that was narrowly beaten away to Bayern Munich on Tuesday while Barca made changes with Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabrigas rested and Thiago Alcantara and Cristian Tello brought in.

There had been pre-game speculation over whether or not Madrid would try and play a defensive game, but that was soon shown to be mistaken as Madrid went for the match from the off.

Mourinho's side pressured Barca high up the field, looking to force errors in distribution and stop Barca's midfield getting control of the ball.

Ronaldo saw a header brilliantly tipped over by Barca keeper Victor Valdes after 4 minutes, while Karim Benzema had an effort also saved by the Barca keeper. In reply Dani Alves saw Iker Casillas come quickly off his line to make a brave save at his feet.

It wasn't a surprise when Madrid opened the scoring on 17 minutes: Barca had already struggled to defend set pieces and although Valdes did well to save Pepe's header from a corner, Khedia was able to force the ball home from close range, although TV replays showed he may have been slightly offside.

Barca were finding it hard to combine their usual passes, but Xavi almost equalized on 25 minutes he found space in the Madrid area following a Messi pass, but this time it was Casillas who made a fine save.

Overall through Madrid looked comfortable when Barca were in possession and always looked threatening on the break.

The second half kicked off with no changes either in players or tactics and Madrid continued to look comfortable as Barca began to probe for a way through. They finally carved out an opening 10 minutes into the half, but Tello sliced high and wide.

That was the sign for Barca to take more control in midfield as Madrid began to sit slightly deeper in their own half, although chances were still few and far between.

Xavi fired wide after 67 minutes, directly before being replaced by Alexis as Barca tried to inject some pace.

It turned out to be an inspired move as Alexis scored the equalizer after Messi had opened up the Madrid defense. Casillas made two fine saves, but Alexis followed up to score.

Barca's joy lasted just over a minute before Ronaldo put Madrid back in front, finishing a quick break by rounding Valdes to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

It is a goal that looks like being worth the league title.