Midfielder Cesc Fabregas moved Barcelona a step closer to the La Liga title with a late strike in a laboured 1-0 victory at home to mid-table Levante last night.

The 84th minute goal secured a win that took Barca to 84 points with six games left, 13 clear of champions Real Madrid who earlier beat Real Betis 3-1 with a Mesut Ozil double.

Both clubs fielded weakened sides with this week’s Champions League semi-finals taking priority.

Barca visit Bayern Munich for their first leg on Tuesday, and Real travel to play Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Barcelona lined up with four full-backs in defence, Eric Abidal making his first start in over a year since having a liver transplant.

In Madrid, Real were without regulars such as Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos and Sami Khedira and after a scrappy opening period were forced into an early change when Marcelo went down injured.

The Brazilian left-back was carried off on a stretcher with a muscle injury after falling awkwardly.

Cristiano Ronaldo crashed a 25-metre shot against the upright before a moment of Ozil inspiration broke the deadlock.

The Germany midfielder cut in off the right flank, exchanged passes with Karim Benzema on the edge of the area, and lifted a finish inside the near post.

A breakaway started by Ozil led to Ronaldo feeding Benzema to net the second in the 57th minute.

Midfielder Luka Modric was substituted with a muscle strain midway through the half and in the 71st minute Real youth-team defender Nacho brought down Castro for a penalty.

Jorge Molina scored from the spot and Betis almost snatched a late equaliser when Castro hit the bar and Raul Albiol cleared the follow-up off the line.

However, Real went straight down the other end and Ozil turned Jose Callejon’s shot into the net from close range to seal the points.