Football: Real Madrid title in sight

REAL MADRID overcame dogged resistance from John Toshack's Real Sociedad to maintain their one-point lead over Barcelona and extend their unbeaten run to 21 games. Second- half goals from their midfielders Luis Milla and Michel secured the 2-0 win, which came after the Catalan club had kept up the pressure with a come- from-behind 2-1 defeat of Seville.

The Spanish league has two rounds of matches remaining.

In Italy Fiorentina were relegated for the first time in 54 years despite thrashing Foggia 6-2. The Florence team finished level on 30 points with Brescia and Udinese but have the worst record in matches between the three this season.

Australia's European-based professionals outclassed New Zealand 3-0 in Sydney in the second leg of their Oceania World Cup play-off for a 4-0 aggregate victory. Australia now play a two-leg tie against Canada, with the winners playing a further qualifier against a South American country for a berth in the finals.