Barca closes in on title as Valencia holds Madrid
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Barcelona took a giant step toward winning La Liga on Saturday as the club moved four points clear of second-place Real Madrid following a win over Real Sociedad and a Madrid draw against Valencia.
Barca came into the weekend two points clear of Madrid and overcame a stubborn Sociedad side to win 2-0 with second-half goals from Neymar and Pedro.
Lionel Messi's deflected cross found Neymar at the back post and the Brazilian headed home his 50th goal for the club in the 52nd minute to break the deadlock.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Messi was at it again in the 86th when another attempted cross found its way to Pedro, whose overhead kick beat goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to secure the win.
Madrid was in action later in the day and knew that a win would be required to stay within touching distance of their rivals.
However, Valencia stunned Carlo Ancelotti's side with goals from Francisco Alcacer and Javi Fuego six minutes apart to take a 2-0 lead inside of 30 minutes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance to pull a goal back in first-half stoppage time from the penalty spot, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Diego Alves.
The hosts turned up the pressure after the break and Pepe got up to head home a corner kick from James Rodriguez in the 56th minute.
Alves made a fine stop to deny a header from Sergio Ramos, while Valencia's Alvaro Negredo spurned two great chances to extend the lead for Los Che, which Madrid punished six minutes from time with a curling effort from Isco.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Madrid is now four points back of Barcelona with two games to play, while Valencia moves four points clear of fifth-place Sevilla in the battle for the final Champions League place.
Granada's survival hopes got a big boost with a 2-0 win over relegated Cordoba, while Deportivo got a goal in the 90th minute from Alberto Lopo to claim a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.