Barca inches closer to century mark after win over Valladolid

May 19, 2013 - 10:25 PM Barcelona, Spain (Sports Network) - Barcelona ran its winning streak in La Liga to three consecutive matches on Sunday after posting a 2-1 result over Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou, moving within six points of the century mark in the process.

The Spanish champions opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Pedro found the back of the net and they added a second goal in the 42nd minute with a bit of luck when a shot deflected off Valladolid's Marc Valiente and ended up in the net for an own goal.

It appeared the Catalans would easily keep their clean sheet, but Valladolid spoiled the shutout in the 89th minute when Victor Perez converted a penalty kick to make it 2-1.

But the champions held on for the result and moved to 94 points with two matches remaining this season. Valladolid, meanwhile, drop to 13th place with 43 points.

Rayo Vallecano 3, Levante 2

Valencia, Spain - Piti scored on either side of the intermission on Sunday to propel Rayo Vallecano to a 3-2 victory over Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia.

Piti struck first for Vallecano 20 minutes into the match and the hosts took their one-goal margin into the locker room.

After the break, Levante drew level through Robert Acquafresca in the 52nd minute, but Franco Vazquez scored just four minutes later to push Rayo Vallecano back in front, 2-1.

Piti then bagged his second of the day by converting a penalty kick with 18 minutes to play. Vicente de la Fuente pulled one back for Levante four minutes from time, but Vallecano held on to take three points.

Deportivo 2, Espanyol 0

Madrid, Spain - Deportvio pulled itself out of the bottom three on Sunday with a 2-0 win over struggling Espanyol at the Riazor.

After a scoreless first 45 minutes, the hosts opened the scoring in the 50th minute through Bruno Gama and added a second goal in stoppage time to secure the result, which gives Deportivo 35 points, one clear of the drop zone.

Espanyol, meanwhile, is winless in four consecutive league matches and remains in 11th place on 44 points.

Athletic Bilbao 2, Real Zaragoza 1

Aragon, Spain - Athletic Bilbao struck twice in the final 10 minutes of play on Sunday to earn a 2-1 victory over relegation-battling Real Zaragoza at the Estadio La Romareda.

Portuguese international Helder Postiga struck first for Zaragoza 14 minutes into the match and it appeared that would hold up as the winner, but Fernando Llorente equalized for Bilbao 10 minutes from time.

Ibai Gomez then connected on a winner for Bilbao in the second minute of stoppage time to lift the club to 12th place on 44 points, while Zaragoza remains in the bottom three on 34 points, one from safety with two matches remaining.