MADRID, April 18 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at Getafe on Saturday to stretch their lead in the Primera Liga to nine points over second-placed Real Madrid.
Champions Real can trim the gap back to six points with seven matches remaining by winning at relegation-threatened Recreativo Huelva later on Saturday. They host Barca in the “Clasico” in two weeks’ time at the Bernabeu.
Messi got his 20th league goal this season after 19 minutes in a dominant Barca display at the Coliseum stadium to seal the Champions League semi-finalists’ sixth straight Liga win.
The Argentina forward picked up Xavi’s pass in the area, skipped around a group of defenders and struck a deflected shot that had enough power to beat goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.
Atletico Madrid won 3-0 at home to struggling Numancia and moved up to fourth place, above Valencia on goal difference, thanks to second-half strikes from midfielder Ever Banega, striker Diego Forlan and winger Simao Sabrosa.
Atletico and Valencia have 49 points although Unai Emery’s side have a chance to cut the eight-point gap to third-placed Sevilla when they host the Andalucians on Sunday.
Malaga stay seventh on 47 after a 1-1 draw with visiting Real Mallorca. Villarreal, sixth on 48, visit Real Valladolid on Sunday.
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Ken Ferris; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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