Madrid - Barcelona stay six points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid in the Spanish Liga, with both of the twin giants scoring tight away wins on Saturday.

Barca won 1-0 in Valladolid on a goal from league top scorer Samuel Eto'o. Real triumphed 1-0 in Malaga thanks to a solitary strike from Gonzalo Higuain.

The big two won despite the fatigue and injuries caused by the recent international matches.

Barca now have 72 points from 29 games, Real have 66.

Barca coach Josep Guardiola reduced the effects of national team duty by leaving Lionel Messi, Daniel Alves and Thierry Henry on the bench.

Eto'o struck five minutes before half-time in Valladolid, with his 26th Liga goal. He played a classy one-two with Xavi and made it 1-0 with a calm lob.

The Catalans dominated from start to finish, with 72 per cent possession, and should have won by a greater margin.

"We were very much in control tonight," said Barca veteran Sylvinho, "and I never thought that we would have problems."

Later on Saturday, Real battled out another of their 1-0 away wins, against willing but naive Malaga.

The only goal of a dull game came four minutes after half-time, when Higuain powered his way through the Malaga defence and scored his a deft right-foot drive.

"I'm pleased with the goal," he said, "because it gives us three important points."

The in-form Argentine added that "we just have to keep on winning, in order to keep up the pressure on them (Barcelona)."

Sevilla, meanwhile, have consolidated themselves in third place - nine points behind Real - with a 1-0 win away to lowly Recreativo Huelva.

The only goal in Huelva was a 32nd minute penalty from Frederic Kanoute, after Poli had pulled down Sevilla's Renato.

Sevilla are now nine points above fourth-placed Villarreal, who surprisingly crashed 3-0 in Almeria.

Villarreal went on to the field with their minds on Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal - and were 3-0 down at half-time, with no way back.

Villarreal's Spain winger Santi Cazorla broke his right leg and will be out for the rest of the season.

The "Yellow Submarine" is now just five points ahead of the four teams who share fifth place: Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Deportivo Coruna and Malaga.

Saturday also brought late home wins for Athletic Bilbao, 2-1 against Mallorca 2-1, and for Betis - 3-2 against fellow strugglers Numancia.

With just five minutes left Betis were losing 2-1. They dramatically turned things round with late goals from Capi and Ricardo Oliveira, and are now fifth from bottom. (dpa)