Madrid's Win Delays Barcelona Title Party

[Folami David]

Leaders Barcelona will have to wait at least another week to wrap up the La Liga title after Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to lead second-placed Real Madrid to a 4-3 comeback success at home to Real Valladolid on Saturday.
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If Real had failed to win, victory for Barca against Real Betis at the Nou Camp on Sunday would have secured a fourth title in five years as they would have been at least 13 points clear with only four games left and 12 points available.
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Jose Mourinho's Real side are refusing to relinquish their league crown without making it as difficult as possible for their bitter rivals in the final weeks of the campaign even if they gave up on the title several months ago after a poor start.
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"We will keep working," Real's Portugal defender Pepe told Spanish television.
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"We know that it's a tough ask but we represent a very important club and we will honour the shirt to the end."
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Valladolid, who have not won a point at the Bernabeu in more than a decade, took a surprise eighth minute lead when Oscar Gonzalez stole in on the right and beat Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez with a low shot.
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Real were level in the 26th minute when Marc Valiente deflected an Angel Di Maria shot into his own net before Ronaldo nodded the first of his two headers six minutes later.
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Valladolid struck back almost immediately when Javi Guerra finished off a swift breakaway in the 35th minute and Kaka restored Real's lead four minutes after the break.
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Ronaldo looked to have killed off the game 20 minutes from time when he headed home from a corner, the Portugal forward's 33rd league goal of the campaign.
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But there was still time for substitute Lluis Sastre to smash home a third for the visitors to set up a nervy finish.
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Real's victory lifted them to 77 points from 34 matches, eight behind Barca and eight ahead of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruna in the late kickoff.