Football | La Liga | Osasuna dent Barca title hopes

Sunday 12th February 2012

Osasuna dent Barca title hopes

Osasuna dealt a further blow to Barcelona's La Liga title hopes with a 3-2 win at Estadio Reyno de Navarra.

Two goals from Dejan Lekic had the home side in control at half-time - but Alexis Sanchez pulled a goal back six minutes into the second half.

Raul Garcia made it 3-1 to the home side five minutes later but substitute Cristian Tello netted a second for Barcelona 17 minutes from the end.

There were several clear chances at both ends and a disallowed goal for the visitors - but Osasuna held on for victory to leave Barcelona still seven points adrift of leaders Real Madrid, who play Levante at home on Sunday.

Right-back Nelson hammered an injury-time winner for Real Betis in a 2-1 victory against 10-man Athletic Bilbao.

Nelson, playing his first La Liga match of the season and recently back from compassionate leave after his father died, drove the ball home from the edge of the box to seal the points for Betis, who moved up to 12th.

Ruben Castro had put Betis ahead in the 10th minute before Athletic levelled 13 minutes later through Javi Martinez, who was then harshly sent off in the 64th minute.

The other match, between Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid, finished goalless.

Atleti have now gone six games under Diego Simeone without conceding but they will be disappointed with a second consecutive 0-0 draw from a game in which they were rarely troubled.