Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth La Liga hat-trick of the season as Real Madrid easily swept aside ten-man Osasuna 7-1 to move three points clear of Barcelona, who drew 2-2 at Athletic Club.
Ángel Di María set up goals for Ronaldo, Pepe and Gonzalo Higuaín in the first half, with Ibrahima briefly levelling the scores at 1-1 for the visitors. Osasuna’s task was rendered even more daunting when Eneko Satrustegui was sent off for bringing down Mesut Özil in the area nine minutes after the break, and Ronaldo collected his second from the resultant penalty before taking his league tally to 13 strikes this term four minutes later.
Substitute Karim Benzema then weighed in with a double as Madrid moved three points clear of Barcelona, who drew 2-2 at San Mamés. Josep Guardiola’s side were fortunate not to lose the match, falling behind to Ander Herrera’s opener, which Cesc Fàbregas quickly cancelled out, and then needing a Lionel Messi strike in added time after Gerard Piqué put through his own net ten minutes from time.
Also on Sunday, Hélder Postiga earned a potentially valuable point for struggling Real Zaragoza against Real Sporting de Gijón, hitting an added-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw, and third-bottom Granada drew 0-0 with Real Racing Club.
