Barcelona protects lead in La Liga

Barcelona has opened up a nine-point gap at the Spanish League summit with an easy victory against Recreativo Huelva at Camp Nou. After just 46 seconds, Andres Iniesta scored the opener when Thierry Henry's centering pass skipped past four Recreativo players and goalkeeper to slide into the empty goal. The Spanish national player created an own-goal in the 68th to secure the Saturday victory. Lionel Messi also failed to give the Catalans a third in the 82nd when he missed a penalty. Talking about the team's arch-rival, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola said the pressure was now on Real Madrid. "It was hard for us but things are not always easy in football. There are eight games left and we are closer (to the title)," Guardiola said after the match. Real Madrid hosts Valladolid on Sunday as it tries to close back to within six points of Barcelona.