Isco scored a stoppage-time winner to maintain Real Madrid's lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga on Saturday. The leaders won 3-2 in Sporting Gijon before Barca scraped a win by the same scoreline over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.As usual, Barcelona were inspired by Lionel Messi, who scored twice for a strong lineup. By contrast, Real rested star attackers Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale with next week's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich in mind.Los Merengues' city rivals, Atletico Madrid, also left out some star men ahead of Champions League commitments, but still beat Osasuna at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Atleti now have a firm grip on third place ahead of Sevilla.Near the bottom, Deportivo La Coruna scored a useful win at home to Malaga to ease relegation fears.Here are the final scores from Saturday's matches:Here's what those results mean for the updated table:RecapLos Blancos were one down in less than 15 minutes when Duje Cop volleyed superbly past goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. However, a much-changed Real squad needed only three minutes to draw level.The equaliser came from Isco, whose goal maintained his side's incredibly consistent scoring run, per Sky Sports Statto:Speaking of scoring runs, his smart finish maintained Isco's quality form in front of goal when he's been given a chance this season, according to OptaJose:To their credit, relegation candidates Sporting didn't buckle after being pegged back. In fact, the hosts went back in front five minutes into the second half, courtesy of Mikel Vesga heading past a stranded Casilla.Los Merengues were in trouble and it seemed as though Zinedane Zidane's wholesale changes with the Champions League in mind were going to prove ill-judged. Yet it was one of the stand-ins for the famed Real front three who got the league leaders back in it, when Morata planted a header in just shy of the hour mark.Even after Morata's goal, it looked as if Real were content to settle for a point. Sporting were defending well, thanks largely to 19-year-old Jorge Mere, who inspired praise from Yahoo Sport UK's Andrew Gaffney:Yet Isco was in imperious form and in no mood to settle. The ex-Malaga star scored a sensational solo winner in stoppage time, shooting low after a nifty nutmeg to create his chance.Isco's brilliance rescued Real and ensured Zidane's considerable gamble to rest his top stars paid off.Messi's brilliance made sure Barca kept pace with Los Blancos in the title race. The mini marvel scored twice to punish a Real Sociedad side that didn't make the most of some fine, free-flowing football.Messi's first goal, an arrow-like left-footed shot that found the bottom corner from outside of the box, kept up his phenomenal streak of scoring more than 45 times in a season, according to Squawka Football:His second wasn't as neat, a scuffed finish from close range, but it did mean Messi became the joint top scorer in Europe's top five leagues, per WhoScored.com:Messi was brilliant, but Sociedad had got one back in between his brace when classy defender Inigo Martinez's shot deflected in off Barca centre-back Samuel Umtiti. It was just reward for how stylish and confident the visitors had been going forward.Barcelona got an instant response when Messi played in Paco Alcacer, and the former Valencia man finished superbly with his left foot. However, the Blaugrana soon let a two-goal lead slip again.Sociedad's second came when skipper Xabi Prieto finished suavely to cap a slick move. His goal meant Barca left the pitch to a few jeers from nervy fans frustrated with their defensive frailties.Even so, the hosts just about held on during a frantic second half when Sociedad should have found an equaliser. Still, the Blaugrana have stayed in touch with the leaders ahead of next week's Clasico in Madrid.The win keeps Barca's belief alive in the title race, although Sid Lowe of the Guardian doesn't think the belief is well-founded:Zidane wasn't the only manager who made changes with the Champions League in mind. Atleti boss Diego Simeone left star forward Antoine Griezmann ahead of the second leg of the quarter-final against Leicester City.Fortunately for Los Rojiblancos, they still had Yannick Ferreira Carrasco. The former AS Monaco winger scored twice to punish relegation-bound Osasuna.Carrasco's goals made him distinctive as a midfielder in Spain's top flight this season, per OptaJose:Left-back Filipe Luis added Atletico'sthird, but it could have been so much better had Simeone's men not wasted two penalties. In fact, Carrasco should have completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute, only to see Salvatore Sirigu save.The Italian stopper stood firm again a minute later when Thomas Partey was denied from the spot.Failing to score penalties has become a worrying trend for Atleti in La Liga:Former Real prospect Joselu opened the scoring for Deportivo at home to Malaga in the day's first game. Substitute Pedro Mosquera doubled Depor's lead on 67 minutes to cap a comfortable win for the home side.It means Deportivo have created a healthy nine-point gap above the bottom three.Barca may have stumbled over the line, but they have at least made next Sunday's Clasico the decisive clash in this season's title race. On form, Real will be favourites, but Messi is one of many Barcelona players who often save their best for the big occasions.
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