Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first hat trick of the season four days before Real Madrid meets Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions league with its season on the line.
Ronaldo's treble of goals on Saturday fueled a 5-2 victory at home over a disconcerted Real Sociedad, which barely offered resistance in a first half dominated by Madrid.
Madrid has had a disappointing season and needed a strong performance before PSG visits the Santiago Bernabeu in the last 16. The convincing win over Sociedad came after Madrid won only two of its previous six league matches and suffered a humbling exit from the Copa del Rey to modest leganes.
With Spanish leader Barcelona still a massive 16 points ahead, Madrid's only real chance to end the season with major silverware rests on becoming European champion for a third consecutive year.
"From the first moment, we played with intensity," Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said. "I would be lying if I said we weren't thinking about Wednesday's match in the second half because our season is at stake against PSG. Our goal is to arrive in the best shape possible for Wednesday."
PSG also won ahead of its visit to the Spanish capital as Neymar scored to help beat Toulouse 1-0 in France.
RONAlDO HONES AIM
With Ronaldo leading the way, Madrid took the lead before a minute was up and led 4-0 by halftime.
Ronaldo and Karim Benzema also hit the woodwork in a first half completely dictated by Madrid, which used its pressure to perfection.
Just 49 seconds in, Ronaldo crossed the ball to the penalty spot where lucas Vazquez turned it in with a header.
Ronaldo fired in a low cross from Marcelo, after Marco Asensio duped two defenders with a deft spin to play Marcelo clear down the left side.
barca’s consecutive draw
Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at the Camp Nou against Getafe on Sunday. Slicing their lead at the top to seven points, Barca are now trailed by another capital outfit in Atletico Madrid — who defeated Malaga on Saturday — for la liga title race.
Barcelona took upon their home turf looking to stretch their unbeaten la liga run to 23 games against a Getafe side who have looked quite determined this season. With Thomas Vermaelen out with an injury and Samuel Umtiti suspended, Valverde had to make do with lucas Digne playing alongside new signing Yerry Mina in the centre back position, although Pique remained available on the bench.
The initial minutes saw Getafe looking to press high against their hosts, but Barcelona were quick to move the pressure towards the other end of the field, trying to create chances through Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto. Getafe seemed to pick up a couple of breakthroughs, mainly through dispossessions and interceptions, only to have their advances snubbed in the final- third. The visitors did get close in the 40th minute after Portillo picked out Angel in the final third, who fired a shot that deflected off Mina for a corner. The Catalans responded five minutes later with Suarez connecting with Messi's free- kick to find the back of the net, only to be left frustrated by the offside flag raised on the sideline.
ATlETICO CUTS GAP
Antoine Griezmann's goal after only 40 seconds was all Atletico Madrid needed to beat Malaga 1-0 and close the gap with Barcelona to seven points.
Griezmann scored after he was quickest to the ball after a long strike by Saul Niguez hit a defender and fell loose in the area.