Henrik Larsson and teenager Lionel Messi each scored second-half goals, and FC Barcelona downed last-place Alaves 2-0 to take a 10-point lead in the league.
Larsson was replacing top scorer Samuel Eto'o, who is at the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon, and he scored in the 47th minute at Camp Nou stadium to allow the defending champions to record their 18th straight win in all competitions.
Eighteen-year-old Messi, who substituted for Larsson in the 73rd minute, scored the second goal from close range 10 minutes later.
Fabio Cannavaro scored two goals and Serie A leader Juventus rallied to beat Empoli 2-1 and restore its eight-point lead over Inter Milan.
Juventus, which has won 11 straight home matches, has 56 points from 21 games.
Inter, which downed Palermo 3-0 Saturday, is second with 48 points, two more than rival AC Milan, which beat Siena 3-0. Brazil midfielder Kaka scored two goals and Andriy Shevchenko added the other for Milan.
Also, Luca Toni netted two goals to help Fiorentina beat Messina 2-0 and strengthen its grip on fourth place, three points behind AC Milan. Toni, who is expected to lead the Italy offense at the World Cup, improved his total to 21 goals in as many matches this season.
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