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Valencia return to top after last-gasp strike

Soccer European round-up: SPAIN: Valencia reclaimed the leadership of the Primera Liga by the skin of their teeth yesterday …

Mon Apr 19 2004 - 01:00

Soccer European round-up: SPAIN: Valencia reclaimed the leadership of the Primera Liga by the skin of their teeth yesterday after a last-gasp strike by leading scorer Mista earned them a priceless 2-2 draw at home to Real Sociedad. Trailing 2-0 to the visitors midway through the second half, Valencia drew on all their reserves of strength to claw their way back into the match and clinch the draw that allowed them to return to the top ahead of Real Madrid.

With five games to go Valencia and Real both have 70 points, but Rafa Benitez's side lead the table by virtue of their better head-to-head record against the reigning champions.

Barcelona moved into third after their 3-0 home defeat of Malaga last night and now face Real Madrid, who earned a 2-1 victory over Atletico on Saturday, at the Bernabeu next weekend. Valencia face a tricky away trip to Athletic Bilbao.

ITALY: An injury-time equaliser from Croatian Igor Tudor gave third-placed Juventus a 2-2 draw at Parma yesterday. Alberto Gilardino's 18th goal of the season looked to have given Parma victory until Tudor reacted well to slot home three minutes into injury time after Fabrizio Miccoli's shot had hit the crossbar. Inter Milan took over the fourth qualifying spot for the Champions League with a 4-2 victory over Bologna at the San Siro while sixth-placed Lazio kept in the race, coming from behind for a 4-2 win over relegated Ancona with Portuguese defender Fernando Couto on target twice.

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Second-placed Roma had a comfortable 1-0 away win to Modenal last night. Leaders Milan won 2-1 at Siena on Saturday.

GERMANY: Runaway Bundesliga leaders Werder Bremen moved eight points clear at the top despite being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Hanover 96 on Sunday. Werder remained firmly in control with five matches left after second-placed champions Bayern Munich lost 2-0 at arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

FRANCE: A controversial second-half goal by substitute Laurent Batlles gave Olympique Marseille, who face Newcastle in the UEFA Cup semi-final on Thursday night, a 2-1 win over Lille yesterday. Batlles scored the winner after Spanish striker Koke appeared to use his hand to set him up in the 81st minute. Lille defender Mathieu Chalme was sent off for protesting. Sochaux won the French League Cup 5-4 on penalties against Nantes on Saturday.