EUROPEAN LEAGUES: AC MILAN KEPT the Italian title race alive with a derby victory that rejuvenated their own hopes of a Champions League spot next season. The 2-1 defeat halved Inter's lead over second-placed Roma - who beat Sampdoria 3-0 - from six to three points with two games to play.

Milan dominated the first half during which Filippo Inzaghi missed two chances. Six minutes after the interval Kaka found space, dribbled past Marco Materazzi and sent in a cross that Inzaghi headed in from close range for his 99th goal in all competitions for Milan, and his ninth in the last five Serie A games.

Five minutes later Patrick Vieira was dispossessed by Massimo Ambrosini, who passed to Kaka and the Brazilian made it 2-0 with a precise, low shot.

Inter injected some urgency into their game and Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac was forced to make saves from Maniche, Hernan Crespo and Douglas Maicon. However, Kalac was not faultless when Julio Cruz gave Inter some hope with a free-kick after 76 minutes. To retain the title Inter need only three points from their last two games - at home to Siena and away to Parma - as they have a superior head-to-head record against Roma.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid retained the Spanish Primera Liga title last night after a dramatic 2-1 win at Osasuna left them with an unassailable 10-point lead over Villarreal with three games left.

Real, playing with 10 men after Fabio Cannavaro was sent off at the start of the second half, fell behind after Patxi Punal put Osasuna ahead from the penalty spot with eight minutes to go.

But Arjen Robben equalised with three minutes to go and Gonzalo Higuain hit the winner with a minute left to earn Real Madrid their 31st league title.