t lead over Roma, which is provisionally six points in front

BARCELONA, Spain -- Real Madrid forwards Gareth Bale and Jese Rodriguez each scored and set up goals for Karim Benzema in a 4-2 win over Villarreal on Saturday, giving the powerhouse a share of the Spanish league lead after Atletico Madrid stumbled to a 2-0 loss at Almeria. Boston Celtics Store . With leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo serving the first of a three-game suspension, Bale stepped up by opening in the seventh minute at the Santiago Bernabeu before he crossed for Benzemas first goal in the 25th. After Villarreals Mario Gaspar struck in the 43rd, Jese took what proved to be Madrids winner in the 64th before Villarreal forward Giovani Dos Santos curled in a free kick in the 69th. Jese found Benzema for his double in the 76th. If any Madrid supporters were worried how their team would fare without Ronaldo and his league-leading 22 goals, they neednt have as Carlo Ancelottis side extended its unbeaten streak to 23 games in all competitions. Instead of struggling, Benzema recorded his 12th and 13th league goals, Bale provided more arguments he was worthy of his world-record transfer, and the 20-year-old Jese gave Madrids fans more hope they have finally found their next homegrown star. "Its great to be back on the pitch and get a goal and an assist as well," Bale, who had missed two games with a leg injury, said. "(Cristiano) is obviously missed. He is the worlds best player. We knew we had to do the job without him." Also, Valencia rolled over bottom-side Real Betis 5-0 as it continued to show its turnaround under coach Juan Pizzi, while Rayo Vallecano broke a run of six home losses by humbling 10-man Malaga 4-1 to move to within two points of safety. Atletico failed to rebound from its 3-0 Copa del Rey defeat at Madrid on Wednesday as it lost for just the second time in 23 league matches in this campaign. It has dropped seven points in the last five rounds. Almeria stifled its attack and a pair of mistakes by back-up goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia, starting for the injured Thibaut Courtois, doomed Diego Simeones side. After Almeria forward Aleix Vidals shot came off both posts, Aranzubia let Jose "Verza" Garcias cross fall over his head in the 80th. The veteran goalie compounded that in the 86th by losing the ball to Jonathan Zongos pressure and earning a questionable red card as he dove to recover the ball. Verza slotted the spot kick past midfielder Gabi Fernandez, who had to defend the net with all three changes already made. To make matters worse, Atletico midfielder Tiago Cardoso was carried off with a leg injury after he received a hard tackle midway through the second half. "We dont look for excuses," Simeone said. "The only way we know how to continue forward in the same fashion that got us here is to keep on working. What concerns me most about today is Tiago." Barcelona trails Atletico and Madrid by three points before it visits Sevilla on Sunday. Bale seemed particularly eager to take charge with Ronaldo out, and he was helped to start the scoring by defender Jose Dorados bad decision-making and even poorer execution. Dorado unwisely tried to dribble around Bale instead of passing to a nearby teammate. The Wales winger pounced on his clumsy touch to steal the ball, press forward unchallenged, and coolly chip helpless goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. Bale then used a burst of speed to leave behind Jaume Costa on the right flank before crossing for Benzema, whose short-range volley hit Asenjo before landing in the net. Villarreal, however, didnt wilt and Gaspar drilled the ball inside the far corner of the goalframe to halve the deficit before halftime. Madrid lost left back Marcelo to injury when he gingerly walked off the pitch in the 18th, and his replacement, Fabio Coentrao, didnt return after halftime, apparently due to injury. Alvaro Arbeloa took his place. Jese ran onto Angel Di Marias incisive pass before he slipped the ball around Asenjo with a sly touch using the outside of his right boot to make it 3-1. Again Villarreal wasnt done, and Dos Santos bent his left-footed free kick over the barrier, but Jese steered a Madrid counterattack before squaring for Benzema to fire home and secure the three points. Ray Allen Jersey .And although FIFAs investigators are preparing to release the findings of a World Cup corruption probe, Hassan Al Thawadi dismissed any chance of Qatar losing the showpiece event. Boston Celtics Shirts . Watch the game live on TSN and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. Serge Ibaka returned to the Thunder lineup from a calf injury that was supposed to sideline him for the remainder of the postseason and the results were sparkling. https://www.cheapceltics.com/ . None of them was better than playing with LeBron James again.ROME - Felipe Anderson scored once and set up two other goals as Lazio beat visiting Sampdoria 3-0 Monday in a key match for third place and Serie As final Champions League berth.Lazio took sole possession of third, three points ahead of Sampdoria and Napoli.In the first Italian league match after the holiday break, the 21-year-old Anderson provided a cross from the left flank that Marco Parolo used one touch to redirect inside the near post in the 38th minute.Three minutes later, Anderson scored himself with a splendid, curving, low shot from well beyond the area.It was more Anderson in the second half as the Brazilian dribbled by three defenders before providing a cross in the 66th for Filip Djordjevic to tap in.Anderson has been involved in eight of Lazios last nine league goals, with four scores and four assists. He scored twice in a 2-2 draw at Inter Milan in the final match before the wiinter break. Paul Pierce Jersey. This year Im healthy and with the support of my teammates, my coach and my family Ive been able to express my talent, said Anderson, who joined Lazio from Santos before last season.It was only the second loss of the season for Sampdoria, which produced just two shots at the Stadio Olimpico.Felipe Anderson seemed like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said. They were just better than us.Anyhow, if were going to lose, better to do it against Lazio than any other club, added Mihajlovic, who helped Lazio win Serie A 15 years ago as a player.The rest of the league plays Tuesday, with leader Juventus hosting Inter Milan, second-place Roma at Udinese, Napoli travelling to Cesena and AC Milan hosting Sassuolo.Juventus holds a three-point lead over Roma, which is provisionally six points in front of city rival Lazio ahead of Sundays Rome derby. ' ' '