Ronaldinho keeps Barca at top, Sevilla edges Real

Dec 9, 2006, 23:52 GMT

Barcelona, Spain - Ronaldinho scored his Spanish La Liga leading 11th goal of the season to propel the defending champions to a 1-0 narrow victory over second to last placed Real Sociedad on Saturday at the Nou Camp.

Ronaldinho's strike about 60 minutes into the game gave the squad the three points and keeps it two points up on Sevilla, who were 2-1 winners over third- placed Real Madrid later in the day, Saturday.

Despite a number of changes to the midfield and defense from the squad that beat Werder Bremen to advance in the UEFA Champions League this past week, Barca head coach Frank Rijkaard left his front line intact. Ronaldinho, Ludovic Giuly and Eidur Gudjohnsen powered the offense with Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Javier Saviola all still missing through injury.

Barcelona seemed to be in total control of the game throughout, but Real Sociedad almost took the lead in the 27th minute when the Catalans failed to clear and the loose ball fell to the unmarked Mikel Aranburu 15 yards out.

The midfielder tried to place his shot, but full-back Belletti dived low to his left to clear with goaltender Victor Valdes beaten.

At the other end, Barcelona missed a number of chances, including two goals that were disallowed because it was ruled they were offsides in the first half.

The lone goal was scored when Giuly spotted the Brazilian unmarked on the edge of the area before he passed to him. Ronaldinho then side-footed home from just inside the area with 61 minutes gone.

Both teams missed a number of chances in the closing minutes as the leaders hung on for the three points.

In the other La Liga game Saturday, Javier Chevanton scored the game winner for Sevilla in the 77th minute to get the team past Real Madrid at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Madrid actually took the early lead in the game after David Beckham scored his second goal of the season 13 minutes in. The lead was short-lived, however, as Frederic Kanoute kept pace with Ronaldinho, scoring his 11th goal of the campaign less than four minutes later.

© 2006 The Sports Network