AC milan's Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko broke his nose in his side's 0-0 Serie A draw with Bologna yesterday.

The former Dynamo Kiev forward, who is joint second-top scorer in Serie A with seven goals in eight games, was operated on at a Milan hospital after leaving the field in the second half with a bloody face following a clash of heads.

Milan had earlier been forced to substitute Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa at half-time after he twisted his left ankle.

To cap a busy day for the Milan medical staff, captain Paolo Maldini limped off in the final minutes of the game.

The Italy international defender suffered a strain to his right thigh.

In Spain Carles Rexach's gamble to play his most attacking formation of Rivaldo, Patrick Kluivert and Javier Saviola paid dividends as Barcelona tore into an out-of-sorts Betis that were fortunate to concede just three goals.

Kluivert set Saviola up for the first with an exquisite back heel on 10 minutes. The young Argentine then provided the cross for Rivaldo's far post header five minutes after the break and the Brazilian notched his second with a deflected drive 10 minutes later.

Real Madrid left it late to steal their first away win of the season after Villarreal had looked to be in complete control midway through the second half.

Victor had given the home side the lead on 31 minutes with a fine lob, and although Luis Figo levelled with a dubious penalty Javier Calleja put Villarreal ahead just two minutes later.

But an 83rd minute strike from substitute Pedro Munitis and a point blank header from Raul two minutes from time secured a barely deserved win for the champions.

Defender David Albelda scored a rare goal to give Valencia the lead after 20 minutes against Sevilla.

Moises Garcia smashed in the equaliser only nine seconds after the restart, but Sevilla were unable to snatch the winner and Garcia was sent off after his second booking in injury time.