BARCELONA extended its lead at the top of La Liga to nine points over Atletico Madrid despite blowing a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 at Villarreal on Sunday.

    Real Madrid closed to within 10 points of Barca in third ahead of the meeting between the two sides in two weeks, as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all scored in a 4-0 win over Sevilla.

    Ivan Rakitic and a controversial Neymar penalty had Barca on course for a 13th consecutive La Liga win before halftime.

    Yet, Villarreal was more than worthy of a point and got its reward after the break through Cedric Bakambu and Jeremy Mathieu’s own goal.

    Villarreal’s bright start took Barca by surprise at El Madrigal as they hit the woodwork inside the first minute when a Manu Trigueros effort was turned towards his own goal by Arda Turan.

    Yet, the visitors still struck first with some fortune as Lionel Messi’s free kick ricocheted off Luis Suarez and fell perfectly into the path of Rakitic to rifle home.

    Villarreal was then furious when coach Marcelino was expelled from the touchline for his protests after Gerard Pique escaped a second yellow card for a clear handball after just 23 minutes.

    And worse was to come for the hosts when referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez pointed to the spot despite Sergio Asenjo clearly playing the ball as Neymar tried to round the goalkeeper.

    Neymar put Barca’s recent troubles from the spot behind him to dink home the penalty for his 27th goal of the season.

    Pique was replaced by Mathieu early in the second period as Enrique looked to ensure his best defender was not suspended for the game against Madrid just after the international break.

    But that proved to be the turning point as Mathieu was constantly caught out.

    Bakambu halved the deficit with a simple finish after Bravo had parried Denis Suarez’s initial effort.

    Roberto Soldado then missed a huge chance to level as he headed wide when unmarked from point-blank range.

    Asenjo also made a crucial contribution to Villarreal’s comeback with a stunning save to stop Neymar making it 3-1.

    Moments later, Villarreal was level when the hapless Mathieu turned a corner into his own net.

    Madrid will attempt to stop Barca’s run April 2 and will be full of confidence as their “BBC” front three of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema started together and all scored for the first time in two months.

    “Playing like this we can do great things,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

    (SD-Agencies)