MADRID, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona survived a scare before beating Malaga 2-1 to retain its place at the top of Spain's Primera Liga Saturday night.

Pep Guardiola's side totally dominated the 90 minutes against an improved Malaga, but had to wait until midway through the second half before Pedro Rodriguez opened the scoring with a smart shot from outside of the penalty area.

Malaga looked as if they could spring a major surprise when Valdo beat the offside trap to make the score 1-1 with just 10 minutes remaining.

Barcelona's Slata Ibrahimovic (R) fights for the ball against Malaga's M. Gaspar during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona February 27, 2010. Barcelona wins 2-1

However, the game had one final card up its sleeve as Leo Messi finished off a slick move that involved Xavi Hernandez and the fit again Dani Alves, just seven minutes from time.