Real Madrid's Ronaldo scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Levante although the 29-times Spanish champions were kept in check by Barcelona who maintained their league lead with a 2-0 win over Getafe.

The victories by the two Spanish giants means that Barca are still six points to the good over their bitter rivals at the top of the Spanish first division.

Ronaldo has had a below-par season but on Sunday, and after months of mediocre performances, the Brazilian reminded people why he's been the World Player of the Year three times.

He opened the scoring with pinpoint accuracy from bang on the penalty spot after 37 minutes, after Michel Salgado had dashed down the right wing and provided an excellent pass.

The World Cup winner then clinched all three points for Real with his 15th goal of the season, finding the net from close range seven minutes from the whistle with Luis Figo providing the service this time.

"I've got to pay tribute to Ronaldo, he never lost his concentration," said Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, almost begrudging in his praise.

Luxemburgo was instrumental in discovering and developing Ronaldo as a teenager, but the pair fell out after Luxemburgo's arrival at Real in December.

The former Brazil boss believes that Ronaldo's high-profile, private life is affecting his playing performances.

"The victory was fair but Levante rose to the occasion. They put pressure on us and were always dangerous with their counter-attacks," added Luxemburgo.

Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas had to pull off a series of spectacular saves from the Levante strikers in order to keep a clean sheet.

Alberto Rivera and Edwin Congo, who ironically are both former Real Madrid players who were deemed surplus to requirements at the Spanish giants after brief stints at the club, both had went close for the home side.

"We were denied by the best goalkeeper in Europe. Casillas was the decisive factor in this game," commented Levante coach Bernd Schuster.

The thrilling match also saw Real club captain Raul Gonzalez hit the bar early in the second half.

Barca were without the Spanish first division's top scorer Samuel Eto'o on Sunday, injured in their 4-2 loss at Real Madrid a week ago, but Ronaldinho stepped into the breach.

The reigning World Player of the Year showed why he's followed in the footsteps of his compatriot and friend at Real by scoring after 29 minutes with a superb swerving free kick from the edge of the area.

Ronaldinho then provided a deep pass for Ludovic Giuly to latch onto for Barca's second goal, 11 minutes after the break.

Villarreal were held to a 0-0 draw by Real Betis to remain in fourth place, in a game which saw nine yellow cards handed out.

Betis can thank their goalkeeper Toni Doblas for the crucial point as he thwarted every attack from Villarreal, with Juan Roman Riquelme and Diego Forlan both having good chances for the home side.

"We had a great game even if it was a bad result for us. Betis' goalkeeper was an authentic genius. If we play like this then we can get a result at Real Madrid next week," reflected Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Sevilla hung on to third place due to their better head-to-head encounters with Villarreal although they lost 1-0 at home to Osasuna on Saturday.

Betis stay in fifth place, one point behind the two teams in the remaining slots for next season's Champions League.

At the other end of the table, Numancia's miserable year continued with a 3-1 loss at Real Zaragoza.

The bottom club couldn't even score themselves, with their only goal coming after Zaragoza midfielder Cani Garcia put the ball into his own net.

Zaragoza's first two goals came from David Villa, whose spectacular second effort came from an acute angle wide out on the left wing.

Leonardo Ponzio and Savio got Zaragoza's remaining goals in the final 12 minutes.
(Agencies)