Wesley Sneijder's 59th-minute goal handed 10-man Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Murcia on Sunday and opened up a nine-point lead over Barcelona in the Spanish league.

Sneijder quickly controlled the ball inside the area before sending a right-footed shot into the top right corner of the net.

Real took advantage of Barcelona's 2-2 draw on Saturday to stretch the gap over its Catalan rival with six games to play. Real has 69 points while Barcelona has 60.

Villarreal failed to keep pace with either after losing 0-1 at Almeria to stay on 59.

"It's very difficult to lose the league but anything is possible," Real center back Pepe said.

A low-key first half at the Santiago Bernabeu was punctuated by 18 fouls and five bookings, including the ejection of Real right back Miguel Torres in the 20th. "After the expulsion we sought out the victory and to win with one man less holds merit," coach Bernd Schuster said.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid reclaimed fourth place despite drawing 1-1 at Valladolid. The draw moved Atletico one point clear of Racing Santander for the final Champions League qualifying place.

Renato, Frederic Kanoute and Daniel Alves scored to lead Sevilla over Mallorca 3-2 to stay sixth with 51 points - three back of Atletico.

In France, Fernando Cavenaghi scored two second-half goals and Bordeaux beat Caen 2-1 on Sunday to trim leader Lyon's lead to four points with five rounds left to play.

Lyon remains the favorite for a seventh straight title and has 68 points, while Bordeaux has 64 points.

Also, Paris Saint-Germain remains deep in relegation trouble after losing 2-3 at home to Nice.

(Shanghai Daily April 15, 2008)