Osvaldo at the double as Espanyol rescue point

Madrid: Argentine striker Pablo Osvaldo scored a brace as Espanyol twice came from behind to snatch a

point in a 2-2 draw with European rivals Atletico Madrid at the Cornella-El Prat stadium. Osvaldo scored in each half to take his league tally to ten goals after teenager Koke and Argentine Sergio "Kun" Aguero had twice put Atletico ahead yesterday. Atletico stay seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Sevilla, while Espanyol are a point behind in eighth place. Teenage midfielder Koke, a 19-year-old from the youth system, put Atletico ahead in the first minute following a mistake from Ernesto Galan, but Espanyol equalised on 37 minutes thanks to a fortunate deflection. Argentine Osvaldo claimed his ninth league goal of the campaign with a deflection leaving goalkeeper David de Gea with no chance. Argentine Aguero, captain for the day, put Atletico 2-1 up with his 14th league goal of the season, producing a fine chipped finish to beat Carlos Kameni. Osvaldo may have had some luck with his first goal, but there was nothing fortunate about his second as he latched on to a cross with a powerful header to peg back Atletico again on 57 minutes. Earlier teenager Iker Muniain scored a dramatic 90th minute winner as 10-man Athletic Bilbao came from behind to defeat Osasuna 2-1 in the Basque derby on Saturday. The 18-year-old winger capitalised on a defensive mix-up to curl home the decisive goal from distance as Bilbao did their European hopes the power of good, moving two points above Sevilla into fifth place. "We only had two chances and scored both," said Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros. Osasuna, two points above the relegation zone, had taken the lead through Kike Sola on 51 minutes and Bilbao were reduced to ten men on 58 minutes when Xavi Castillo was given his marching orders for a second yellow card. However, Spain international Fernando Llorente scored his 16th league goal of the season with a header on 69 minutes to equalise and Muniain, who holds the record of being the youngest player to score in the Spanish top-flight, floated in a sensational winner in the final minute after goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez made a mess of a clearance. Earlier, promoted Levante continued their shock late bid for a top six finish with a 2-1 home win over strugglers Hercules. First half goals from Ruben Suarez and Juanlu Lopez helped Levante stretch their unbeaten run to eight games and the league newcomers, who started the season as one of the favourites to be relegated, are just four points off the Europa League places. Hercules, another of the promoted teams, stay second from bottom, three points from safety. In other matches, Sporting Gijon saw a run of three consecutive wins come to an end with a 2-1 loss against Real Sociedad on Sunday. A brace from Frenchman Antoine Griezmann on 32 and 79 minutes helped promoted Sociedad move five points above the drop zone. Elsewhere Deportivo La Coruna took a giant stride towards safety with a 2-0 home win over Racing Santander at the Riazor stadium on Sunday. Two goals in three minutes from Lassad Nouioui (45 min) and Xisco (48) moved Depor five points above the bottom three. At the top of the table champions Barcelona stayed in the box seat to retain their title with a 1-1 draw Saturday at arch rivals Real Madrid in a heated `El Clasico` at the Santiago Bernabeu. Barcelona stay eight points clear of Real with six games left and it could gave been worse had Cristiano Ronaldo`s 82nd minute penalty not cancelled out Lionel Messi`s 53rd minute spot-kick. "They allowed us to control the whole game," said Barcelona midfielder Xavi. "We didn`t expect that, we thought they would pressurise us high up the field.” "It is a small step further towards the title, but it`s not over yet." Real and Barcelona will face off again on Wednesday in the Kings Cup final at the Mestalla stadium. Bureau Report