体坛英语新闻：Clasico not the only game in Spain at the weekend as the 'other 18' all play

MADRID, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Although there is no doubt that the 'Clasico' between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona played on Saturday afternoon captured most of the headlines from this weekend's round of matches in the BBVA Primera Liga, there is a good case to be made for saying it was not the most important game played in Spain over the past two days.

Goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos gave Madrid a 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Santiago Bernabeu, although Barca will claim with some justice that they were denied a clear penalty in the dying seconds when Ramos clearly brought down Adriano in the Madrid penalty box.

Barca keeper Victor Valdes was sent off for his subsequent protests, which perhaps belied the fact that beyond pride there was little at stake in the game as Barca retain a 13 point lead over Madrid despite the defeat.

Other teams, however, faced vital games for their immediate futures in Spain:, with Atletico Madrid seeing the chance to close to within just nine points of Barca, shortly before the entertain the league leaders in their Vicente Calderon Stadium.

However, against a Malaga side looking to remain in the top four, defenses came out on top in a 0-0 draw.

Valencia's battle to a top-four finish suffered a setback with a 2-2 draw at home to city rivals, Levante. Levante took the lead thanks to poor defending following a throw in allowed Vicente Iborra to find the net.

Goals from Jonas Goncalves and Roberto Soldado saw Valencia turn the result around, but again weak defending let Valencia down as Jose Barkero equalized in the last minute.

But the best game of the weekend was between Real Sociedad and Betis late on Sunday night as two sides dreaming of a place in Europe conjured up a six goal thriller.

Betis went 2-0 up just after half time thanks to goals from Jorge Molina and Dorlan Pabon, before their hosts hit back with three goals in 11 minutes thanks to Carlos Vela, Inigo Martinez and Xabi Prieto.

Pabon scored his second of the night with 25 minutes remaining, but despite end to end football and several near misses there were no further goals. That excitement helped to compensate for anyone who had to endure the tedious 0-0 draw between Espanyol and Valladolid earlier in the day, two sides who are at least creeping forwards towards safety.

At the wrong end of the table, Mallorca gave themselves a chance of survival as Tomer Hemed's 94th minute header saw them win 2-1 in Granada. Nolito had put Granada ahead, but Alejandro Alfao equalized and Hemed's header decided an exciting game in the dying moments. It is Mallorca's first win in nine games.

Athletic Club Bilbao ended a three game losing streak thanks to a solitary Markel Susaeta goal away to local rivals Osasuna, who had won their last three matches.

Meanwhile Deportivo la Crouna look increasingly doomed to relegation after a tedious 0-0 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano and Zaragoza are getting dragged further into the relegation dogfight as a result of a 2-0 defeat in Getafe.

Adrian Colunga and Sergio Escudero scored the goals on Friday night which mean that Zaragoza are still chasing a win in 2013 and coach Manolo Jimenez's job is under increasing danger.

Celta Vigo have a chance to climb above Zaragoza if they are able to win away to Sevilla on Monday night.