Barcelona remain top of the table after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Sevilla.
Barcelona remain top of the table following a hard fought 2-1 victory over Sevilla at the Camp Nou.
Prior to kick-off Ronaldinho was presented with the Ballon D'Or and after Barcelona had gone behind, it was the Brazilian who not only completed the fightback but demonstrated why he is the world's finest player.
Sevilla were lively from the onset and in the returning Javier Saviola, on-loan from Barca, and Fredie Kanoute, possessed a strikeforce capable of causing Barca real problems.
Both could have broken the deadlock in an entertaining first period but on 63 minutes, it was a combination between the two that yielded the game's first goal.
Saviola's instinctive finish from the angle came back off the post and from close range, Kanoute was on hand to supply Sevilla an unlikely lead.
It would prove short lived as for within four minutes, Barcelona had drawn level with the scruffiest of levellers.
Ronaldinho's corner caused unnecessary panic in Sevilla's box and after some woeful defending, Samuel Eto'o bundled the ball home from less than a yard.
Then came Ronaldinho's customary moment of magic. His delightful dummy gave possession to Henrik Larsson and from the substitute's return, Ronaldinho evaded a desperate lunge, advanced in to the box and then coolly slotted home for another sublime moment in what has been a monumental season.
Earlier on Sunday, surprise title challengers Osasuna had gone to the top of the table after a 1-0 home defeat over Mallorca.
Pierre Webo proved the matchwinner on just four minutes and his goal ensured their perfect home record continued, with Osasuna having now claimed eight straight wins.
Real Madrid climbed the table, up to third, after a comfortable 2-0 win on their travels to Malaga.
New coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro was handed a perfect start to life in the hottest seat in football, as Sergio Ramos, moved into midfield in place of the suspended David Beckham, put Madrid in control in the first period with a header from a corner.
Real secured all three points when Brazilian forward Robinho rattled home a stunning strike from 15 yards.
In the other side of the capital, Atletico Madrid will be disappointed they could only scrape a 1-1 draw with Alaves, who are currently embroiled in a relegation dog fight.
Fernando Torres gave Atletico the lead on 65 minutes, only for Jusu Sarriegi to rescue a surprise point for Alaves with just ten minutes remaining.
Deportivo La Coruna were winners at home to Cadiz, as Diego Tristan's goal in the 53rd minute proved enough to ensure maximum spoils.
David Aganzo's goal five minutes from time saw strugglers Racing Santander return from Getafe with an impressive 2-1 victory.
Racing had taken the lead through Antonito (19) but Getafe found themselves level just before the interval thanks to Mariano Pernia's strike.
Ewerthon's strike on 75 minutes was enough to give Real Zaragoza a home success against Celta Vigo, whilst Real Betis and Espanyol could not be separated in a 0-0 stalemate.
Click below for individual match summaries:
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Alaves
Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla
Deportivo 1-0 Cadiz
Getafe 1-2 Racing Santander
Malaga v Real Madrid
Osasuna 1-0 Mallorca
Real Betis 0-0 Espanyol
Real Zaragoza 1-0 Celta Vigo
