An injury-time goal from Giovanni van Bronckhorst earned Primera Liga leaders Barcelona a 3-3 draw with 10-man Real Betis in the Nou Camp yesterday.

Van Bronkhorst's leveller and two penalties from Samuel Eto'o, cancelled out two goals from Joaquin and a strike from Ricardo Oliveira which had put Betis 3-1 up midway through the second half, despite playing with 10 men from the 14th-minute.

Second-placed Real Madrid, who play Barca next weekend in the Bernabeu, took their chance to cut the deficit to nine points with a 2-1 win at lowly Albacete.

Real defender Ivan Helguera powered a header under the crossbar after 15 minutes to calm his side's nerves after Pablo Redondo had given Albacete a shock early lead. England striker Michael Owen, granted a rare start in place of Raul, added the second just before the break after being put through by Guti.

Villarreal, who beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on Saturday, move above Betis into third place.