Villarreal lose ground after draw

MADRID, Spain — Villarreal, lying third in the Spanish Primera Liga, failed to make up ground on second-placed Barcelona when they were held to a goalless draw at home to Racing Santander on Sunday.

They had long periods of domination but their wastefulness was exemplified by a 49th minute penalty miss by striker Giuseppe Rossi.

Villarreal now trail Barca by eight points on 43 and the Catalans are still five behind leaders Real Madrid.

Real saw their advantage trimmed on Saturday when they lost 2-1 at Real Betis while Barcelona beat Real Zaragoza 2-1.

Bottom club Levante claimed their fourth win of the season when they came from behind to defeat Osasuna 2-1, but they are still seven points adrift of the rest.

Racing’s draw at Villarreal enabled Almeria to climb above them to seventh by extending their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 1-0 win over struggling Real Murcia.

Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres headed an 88th minute winner for Recreativo Huelva, who came from a goal down to beat Deportivo Coruna 3-2 . E-mail to a friend

Villarreal lose ground after draw – found here.