SPANISH PRIMERA LIGA:ZLATAN Ibrahimovic scored for the third straight match to fire Barcelona to a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Real Mallorca on Saturday.
The Sweden striker smashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range in the 63rd minute for his 15th league goal of the campaign to end Mallorca’s resistance.
Barcelona, who travel to London to face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, have been relying on goals from top scorer Lionel Messi to keep their title bid on track but coach Pep Guardiola started with both the Argentina forward and fit-again Spain midfielder Xavi on the bench.
After weathering the early storm, Barca began to exert their control and Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate twice denied Ibrahimovic and forward Jeffren, who was handed a rare start with Thierry Henry not included in the squad.
Barcelona’s closest title rivals Real Madrid had to come from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 3-2, with Xabi Alsono, Alvaro Arbeloa and Gonzalo Higuain scoring their goals.
