Real score nine, but Barca remain four clear in Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo scored five goals as Real Madrid humiliated Granada by 9-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday.

Ronaldo's goals included his fastest ever hat-trick as his side took advantage of the fact Granada rested key players for the game with up to eight first team regulars sidelined.8 Those who did start then produced a string of defensive mistakes which took their side to their heaviest ever league defeat.

Karim Benzema, scored twice and Gareth Bale opened the scoring, while Diego Mainz ended a disastrous game for his side by scoring Madrid's eighth goal past his own keeper.

While Real Madrid deserve credit for scoring so many goals, Granada's attitude to the game made it much easier for them that should have been the case.

Madrid's result left them momentarily one point behind Barcelona and piled the pressure on the Catalans for their trip to coach Luis Enrique's former club, Celta Vigo.

Celta had the better of the first half, but a 74th minute header from Jeremy Mathieu gave Barca the win which leave them four clear of Madrid.

Saturday saw the battle for the Champions League and European places as Atletico Madrid moved momentarily into third place thanks to first half goals from Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez which gave them an easy win away to bottom of the table Cordoba.

There was never any doubt over the final outcome of the game after Griezmann, who had not scored in March, took advantage of a defensive lapse.

Cordoba have now lost their last nine matches and are in freefall to the second division with just 18 points all season.

Atletico's win lifted them above Valencia who were held to a 0-0 draw at home to local rivals Villarreal. The way things stand Valencia would have to play a qualification round to get into the group stage of next season's Champions League.

Sevilla also kept their hopes of a top-four finish alive with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao thanks to early goals from Aleix Vidal and Carlos Bacca.

Athletic also lost striker Iker Muniain with what looks like a serious knee injury.

Levante gave their hopes of survival a massive boost with a 4-1 win away to Almeria in which David Barral scored his second hat-trick of the season. The defeat cost Almeria coach Jose Ignacio Martinez his job after the club sacked him on Sunday.

Getafe will breathe a lot easier after a 2-1 win at home to Deportivo la Coruna thanks to goals from defenders Alexis Ruano and Sergio Escudero, while Getafe move towards the mid-table, Deportivo are still close to the relegation zone.

Ruben Pardo's late equalizer gave Real Sociedad a 1-1 draw in Malaga and leaves the battle for seventh place open between the two sides and Athletic Club.

The 29th round of games kicked off on Friday as Rayo Vallecano won 2-1 away to Eibar. Endi