Racing send Barcelona on the slide
MADRID, Spain -- Barcelona continued their slide into mid-table obscurity after slumping to a 3-0 defeat away to a lively Racing Santander in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Racing took full advantage of some nervous keeping by Turkish international Rustu Recber to score three times in the second half.
Defeat leaves Barca 12th in the table, 18 points down on leaders Real Madrid who are two points clear of Valencia -- 4-2 winners over Villarreal.
Ruben Baraja scored twice as Valencia rallied to sink their regional rivals on Sunday after Juan Roman Riquelme slotted Villarreal into the lead from a free-kick in the 16th minute.
Spanish international Baraja equalized with a powerful shot from the edge of the area in the 57th minute and midfield maestro Aimar then got the second for Valencia two minutes later.
Baraja made it 3-1 in the 73rd and Villarreal were left with 10 men following the 68th-minute dismissal of center half Sergio Ballesteros.
They still livened things up with a 77th-minute goal by Brazilian Juliano Belletti, but Valencia responded with a fourth goal two minutes from the end by Miguel Angel "Mista" Ferrer.
Barca coach Frank Rijkaard included Spanish youth internationals Andres Iniesta and Sergio Garcia and left Argentine striker Javier Saviola on the bench as he went in search of a win.
His gamble looked as though it might pay off when the two youngsters created a host of early chances, but Racing keeper Ricardo pulled off two fine full-stretch saves.
Barca counterpart Rustu spilled a bobbling free kick from Mario Regueiro on 52 minutes and Racing defender Juanma was on hand to slot home from close range.
Xavi and Ronaldinho missed good chances to level midway through the half before Racing increased their lead thanks to a superb solo effort from Regueiro 10 minutes from time.
The Uruguayan winger turned Carles Puyol on the edge of the area, spotted Rustu off his line and lifted a delicate chip over the keeper's head into the far corner.
Striker Javi Guerrero delivered the final blow, powering home a close-range header four minutes later.
