The biggest surprise result in Europe took place in Spain as Barcelona lost 2-1 to last place, Espanyol in the Catalan Derby.  Even more shocking than the scoreline was the fact that it took place in Barca’s usually impenetrable Camp Nou.  Iván de La Peña scored twice to end Barca’s nearly 6 month unbeaten run.  Barca played a man down after Seydou Keita was controversially sent in the 37th minute for dangerous play.  In the 2nd half, The Barcelona youth academy product scored the game winner in the 55th minute when Barca keeper Victor Valdes’ clearance went straight to de La Peña who then sailed a skillful lob over an embarassed Valdes.

The beneficiaries of this result is of course 2nd place, Real Madrid. Barca’s rivals continued their inspired play under Juande Ramos with a 6-1 demolition of Real Betis.  2 goals each from Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Raúl paced Los Merengues.  Since the Superclasico loss, Real Madrid has won 9 straight and can claim the title of hottest team in Spain.

Here are the results from Week 24 [Home Teams Listed First]:

Getafe 1 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
GET: Soldado (15′)
ATH: Llorente (40′)

Recreativo 1 – 1 Almería
REC: Camuñas (59′)
ALM: Negredo (75′)

Mallorca 1 – 0 Racing
MAL: Jurado (88′)

Osasuna 2 – 0 Numancia
OSA: Plasil (2′) & Masoud (35′)

Valladolid 1 – 3 Málaga
VAL: Olodoni (82′)
MAL: Luque (7′), Apoño (pen 29′), Nacho (88′)

Deportivo 1 – 1 Valencia
DEP: Piscu (79′)
VAL: Villa (24′)

Barcelona 1 – 2 Espanyol
BAR: Touré (62′)
ESP: De la Peña (50′ & 55′)

Real Madrid 6 – 1 Real Betis
RMA: Higuaín (7′), Huntelaar (15′ & 24′), Raúl (36′ & 42′), Sergio Ramos (45′)
BET: Oliveira (30′)

Villarreal 2 – 1 Sporting Gijon
VIL: Rossi (2′) & Capdevilla (35′)
SPO: Bilic (1′)

Sevilla 1 – 0 Atlético Madrid
SEV: Jesús Navas (86′)

Standings: