Madrid: FC Barcelona surrendered a two-goal lead in a 3-2 loss at Real Betis that dropped it into third place in the Spanish league after Villarreal beat Atletico Madrid 3-0.

Betis striker Edu Schmidt scored twice as Barcelona conceded three goals in 15 minutes in the second half.

Villarreal improved to 59 points behind two goals from Nihat Kahveci and another by Santiago Cazorla. Real Madrid, which plays sixth-ranked Sevilla today, leads the standings with 62 points, while Barcelona remained with 58.

Edu moved around defender Liliam Thuram before unleashing a spinning shot that beat Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes inside the near post for the winner in the 78th minute.

Edu, who also had a penalty kick saved by Valdes in the 75th, started Betis rally with a header in the 63rd. Juanito Gutierrez chested a throw-in before hitting a low volley past Valdes to equalise in the 76th.

"I'm ashamed by this result," Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said. Barcelona dominated the first half with more than 70 per cent of possession.

Bojan Krkic opened the scoring in the 13th after Samuel Eto'o hit the post. The 17-year Barcelona striker collected the loose ball and calmly rounded Casto Espinosa to score his third in two games.

Two minutes later, Eto'o was quicker than Espinosa - who replaced regular goalkeeper Ricardo Martins - to reach Andres Iniesta's cross. The Cameroon striker headed into the empty goal for his 12th of the season.
Source : PTI