Messi decisive as Barca move 8 points clear in Spain's La Liga

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of Spain's La Liga to eight points after a Lionel Messi free kick gave them a 1-0 win at home to second placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Messi's moment of magic came in a first half in which Barcelona totally dominated an Atletico side that had travelled to the Camp Nou after chipping Barca's lead down from 11 points to just five in recent weeks.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone was guilty of being over-cautious and played an extra central midfielder to stifle Barca, rather than trusting in forward Angel Correa who has been excellent in recent weeks.

As a result Atletico failed to create a clear chance in the game, even though Simeone changed tactics after the break. Barca would have won by a greater margin had it not been for Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

The big disappointment for Barca was a hamstring injury suffered by Andres Iniesta who will almost certainly miss the return leg of the Champions League tie against Chelsea in 10 days.

Real Madrid prepared for their Champions League tie in Paris next week with a 3-1 win at home to Getafe, who played for nearly all the second half with 10 men after Loic Remy was sent off.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice after Gareth Bale opened the scoring from 12 yards out after Getafe failed to clear a corner. Ronaldo doubled the lead on the stroke of halftime after a Karim Benzema pass. A Francisco Portillo penalty briefly gave the visitors hope, but Ronaldo's second goal of the game assured the points for Madrid.

Valencia remain fourth after a 2-0 win at home to Betis thanks to a 22nd minute goal from Rodrigo Moreno and a second at the start of the second half from Simone Zaza.

Sevilla beat Athletic Club Bilbao 2-0 win in a game that was over by the 34th minute after goals from Luis Muriel and Fran Vazquez. It would have been an easier win but for Bilbao keeper, Kepa Arrizabalag, who had an excellent performance.

Girona finished two of the three chances they created to win 2-0 away to Villarreal, with goals from Cristian Stuani and Antonio Lozano.

Eibar took a point from their visit to struggling Deportivo la Coruna. Takashi Inui opened the scoring for Eibar, while a Dmitrovic own goal leveled the scores after Florin Andone's header bounced back off the post.

Early goals from Hector Moreno and Asier Illaramendi gave Real Sociedad a 2-1 win at home to Alaves in a Basque derby with Alfonso Pedraza scoring for the visitors.

A 91st minute goal from Leo Baptistao broke Levante's hearts on Sunday as it canceled out Jose Luis Morales' opener in a 1-1 draw. Levante have now not won since November 19 and sacked coach Juan Ramon Muniz hours afterwards.

Finally Malaga's struggles continue as they lost 2-0 away to Leganes, who claimed all three points with second half goals from Javi Eraso and Nordin Amrabat.