The Spanish La Liga is heading for an exciting finish on June 17 as giants Barcelona and Real Madrid battle it out for top honors. Barcelona were seemingly on their way to the title on June 9 against Espanyol, but were denied by a last minute equalizer. Similarly Real Madrid’s hopes were all but over at Real Zaragoza, but magician Ruud Van Nistelrooy rescued the Galacticos with a late equalizer.

One situation that can also result is Sevilla stealing the cake from under the nose of the top two teams. The chances of this occurring are admittedly slender, but it is nevertheless a three-horse race for the La Liga summit this year. Real Madrid are ahead on goal difference although they have the same number of points as Barcelona. Sevilla on the other hand trail the two by two points.

Real Zaragoza 2-2 Real Madrid

Few teams have managed the sort of turnaround that Real Madrid have achieved this year. After Christmas, they were seemingly out of contention for La Liga and there was talk of manager Fabio Capello being replaced soon. In January the big move of star midfielder David Beckham to LA Galaxy dominated headlines and it looked all but over for the once famed Galacticos.

Without a title since 2003, it was looking like another barren season for the Bernabeu faithful. However  Madrid have battled it out and this heart for a battle was very much in evidence at Zaragoza on June 9 as they fought to hold on to a 2-2 draw thus keeping their hopes alive on the final day.

The game started off badly for Real after defender Ivan Helguera was adjudged to have obstructed Pablo Aimar in the 32nd minute. Zaragoza striker Diego Milito put away the resulting penalty comfortably to leave Real gasping.

However Ruud van Nistelrooy began to have an effect on the match and was unlucky to be stopped by Zaragoza keeper Cesar Sanchez just before the interval. Zaragoza could not stop him after the break though and Van Nistelrooy equalized with a clinical strike in the 56th minute. Milito though was not quiet and after 63 minutes he had put Zaragoza in the lead again.

It appeared to be all over for Madrid when Van Nistelrooy tapped the ball into the net with just two minutes left. Real Madrid survived to fight another day.

Van Nistelrooy admitted afterward that they were very lucky. "Tonight we had luck to tie in the last minute and for Espanyol to do so as well. It's very emotional. I don't have words to describe it," he added. A win against Mallorca this Sunday will see Real clinch their 30th La Liga title and their first since 2003.

On a slightly different note England star David Beckham, who played at Zaragoza despite being injured, has a chance to win a title at Madrid before he crosses the Atlantic to turn out for LA Galaxy this season. Beckham, who had ankle problems in England's 3-0 win against Estonia last week, received treatment on the pitch after seemingly aggravating the problem. However early indications are that he will take his place in the starting line-up on Sunday.

Barcelona 2-2 Espanyol

Barcelona have only themselves to blame if they lose out the La Liga as they had things firmly under control at the Nou Camp against Espanyol. The match had its share of controversy though with Argentine striker Lionel Messi punching in a goal with his hand to set up Barcelona's equalizer.

Gianluca Zambrotta sent in a precise cross, which Messi guided expertly into the goal past Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni - albeit with his hand. The goal brought back memories of the infamous Hand of God goal scored by Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup against England.

Espanyol captain Raul Tamudo had put the visitors in the lead with a neat finish early in the first half. Messi "equalized" in the 43rd minute. However there was no doubting the class of his 56th minute strike from a precise Deco pass. Barcelona were apparently in the driving seat, but must have let down their guard because Tamudo equalized in the 87th minute, just as Van Nistelrooy scored for Madrid.

Ronaldinho was absent from the Barcelona line-up for this game through suspension and coach Frank Rijkaard will be hoping for a minor miracle as he returns on Sunday. "We have to digest and accept this draw, which for us was like a defeat," Rijkaard said after the match. "We are sad because we wanted to win the league and we haven't been able to, and also because of our lost chances."

Barcelona take on Gimnastic Tarragona on Sunday and they must hope for a Madrid loss, else they are bound to end up without a trophy for the first time since 2004.

Villarreal 3-1 Athletic Bilbao

Elsewhere Diego Forlan was the star for Villarreal as they trashed Athletic Bilbao 3-1, thus registering their seventh successive win. Villarreal and Zaragoza are in the race for UEFA Cup places and are currently on 59 points each.

Andoni Iraola opened the scoring for Bilbao, but Forlan equalized through a penalty in the 36th minute and went on to score against in the 38th minute. Bilbao's misery was complete when defender Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora scored an own goal in the 52nd minute.

Real Sociedad 0-0 Racing Santander

Real Sociedad and Racing Santander played out a dull and dreary draw in a game that saw seven players receiving yellow cards and two Racing players sent off.

Racing Santander are in the 10th spot on league tables with 50 points, while Real Sociedad are almost certainly relegated with 34 points.

Atletico Madrid 2-3 Celta Vigo

Celta Vigo kept their hopes of avoiding relegation alive when they scored a stunning win at Athletico Madrid. Maxi Rodriguez scored the opener for Madrid in the 28th minute, only for Celta striker Fernando Baiano to equalize through a penalty on 31 minutes.

Yago Alonso headed in the second goal for Vigo and Baiano clinched the game in the 68th minute with a clinical strike.  Maxi pulled one back for the home side in the 70th minute, but Celta Vigo held on.

Atletico Madrid are in the seventh spot with 57 points, while Celta Vigo are struggling at 18th position with 36 points.

Levante 4-2 Valencia

Rahamat Mustapha scored twice while Laurent Courtois and Salva Ballesta were also on target as Levante beat Valencia 4-2. The win was even more remarkable because the home side had been reduced to 10 men early on. Joaquin Sanchez and Ruben Baraja scored for the visitors.

It was an ugly match by all means because Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and defenders Roberto Ayala and Carlos Marchena were sent off as was Levante's Olivier Kapo

Valencia are on the fourth spot with 65 points, while Levante are laced 15th with 42 points.

Mallorca 0-0 Sevilla

Sevilla who are in the third place just behind Barcelona and Real Madrid, played out a goalless draw at Mallorca to severely dent their chances of finishing on top. Dragutinovic was sent off for the visitors, while six yellow cards were handed out during the game.

Real Betis 0-5 Osasuna

Crowd trouble marred the game at Betis where Kike Sola scored twice and Miguel Flano, Achille Webo and Valdo Lopes tapped in one goal each as Betis were humiliated by Osasuna. The Ruiz de Lopera Stadium witnessed ugly scenes as fans questioned Betis players' for the most desperate loss in 46 years.

Real Betis are in the 16th place with 37 points, while Osasuna occupy the 13th spot with 46 points.