Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - The top of the La Liga table remained unchanged on Saturday as all three title contenders claimed maximum points.
Atletico Madrid maintained its place atop the table by getting a 1-0 victory over Villarreal at the Vicente Calderon.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Raul Garcia pushed his way free to nod home a corner kick from Koke.
It proved to be all Atletico would need to collect three points as Thibaut Courtois kept a clean sheet, lifting Diego Simeone's men to 79 points on the season.
Barcelona kept pace with Atletico by getting a 3-1 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou.
The Catalans were in front after 15 minutes when Jordi Figueras brought down Alexis Sanchez in the box, allowing Lionel Messi to convert the ensuing penalty.
Things got worse for Figueras as he conceded an own goal in the 67th minute to see Barcelona's lead double, though Ruben Castro immediately cut Real Betis' deficit in half by eluding three defenders and firing a right-footed shot through traffic and into the back of the net.
But Barcelona ensured the three points late on when Juanfran's hand ball resulted in another penalty for the hosts. Messi was denied from the spot, but he managed to tuck home the rebound to complete his brace and lift the Catalans to 78 points.
Real Madrid also stayed within touching distance by cruising to a 4-0 victory at Real Sociedad.
Asier Illarramendi bagged the lone goal of the first half while second-half goals from Gareth Bale, Pepe and Alvaro Morata helped Carlo Ancelotti's side climb to 76 points.
Rayo Vallecano rounded out Saturday's La Liga slate by getting a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo. Ruben Rochina opened the scoring in the 25th minute while a second-half brace from Alberto Bueno put the match out of reach for Celta Vigo.
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