Real Madrid striker Ronaldo and Barcelona midfielder Luis Enrique both scored goals against their former teams as the two arch-rivals fought out an intense 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
The result means that Real move four points clear at the top of the table, but Deportivo Coruna and Real Sociedad will be able to narrow the gap to just a point if they win their respective home games on Sunday.
Barcelona move up to 11th place, just seven points above the relegation zone.
The 24-point gulf between the two sides in the first division standings was certainly not evident, though, as the Catalans dominated for long periods and had the better of the scoring chances.
Ronaldo put Real ahead against the run of play with a trademark finish on 16 minutes after he guided the ball home after midfielder Claude Makelele had hooked a pass into his path.
But Barca came back strongly and levelled just after the half hour mark when Luis Enrique poked in from close range after Real keeper Iker Casillas had been unable to hold a powerful header from Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert.
Real were reduced to 10 men two minutes from time when defender Michel Salgado was sent off after receiving his second booking for a foul on Marc Overmars.
Earlier Valencia's hopes of securing a place in next season's Champions League were thrown into jeopardy by a 1-0 defeat at modest Valladolid.
The result means the defending champions stay fourth in the table just two points ahead of Celta Vigo as the two sides fight it out for the final berth in Europe's top club competition.
Valencia have now won just one of their last seven matches and can be overhauled by Celta in the standings if the Galicians win their match at relegation-threatened Osasuna on Sunday.
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