Madrid, March 16:

Forgotten striker Bojan Krkic scored his first league goals of the season as Barcelona restored their six-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish League with a 2-0 win on Sunday.

The 18-year-old seized his opportunity scoring a second half brace inside three minutes. Even an inspirational game from Almeria’s Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves could not keep Barcelona at bay as they continue their treble bid. Real had thrashed Bilbao 5-2 on Saturday to temporarily cut the gap to three points.

The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute with Bojan following up after Messi had hit the post with a curling shot. It was Bojan’s first league goal of the campaign and the second came three minutes later when he completed a wonderful team goal involving Dani Alves, Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid came from two goals down to defeat 10-man Villarreal 3-2 to pull themselves back into the Champions League race. If Atletico had lost, Villarreal would have been eight points clear of their rivals.

Sevilla’s faint hopes of challenging Real for second place looked to have ended after a 2-2 draw with Malaga left them nine points behind the champions.