Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 200th goal for Real Madrid as Jose Mourinho's men thrashed nine-man Malaga 6-2 in their La Liga game at the Bernabeu to keep Barcelona waiting for the title, while Atletico Madrid confirmed third place with a 3-1 win over strugglers Celta Vigo.
Raul Albiol, Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria were the six different scorers for Real in an easy win, with Malaga getting their consolation goals courtesy Roque Santa Cruz and Antunes.
Ronaldo won Real Madrid a penalty with the home side already 1-0 up, after Sergio Sanchez impeded Ronaldo inside the box, which led to the Malaga man seeing a straight red card.
The Portuguese superstar surprisingly missed the penalty, before completing his 200th goal in a Real Madrid shirt in just 197 games, with a thumping freekick.
"The kind of player he is and the club where he is, Real Madrid, are good for each other," Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka said. "He will keep getting better. Here is the ideal place and for Real Madrid it is great to have him."
With Malaga down to ten men, it was cruise mode for Real as they celebrated their 1000th home league win at the Bernabeu, with Martin Demichelis also sent off for Malaga in the 73rd minute for a second yellow card.
Real cut the gap at the top to eight points, although Barcelona still need just two points to seal the La Liga title.
"It is important to maintain the good feeling, with the important competition coming up next Friday," Xabi Alonso said after the match while referring to the upcoming Copa Del Rey final against Atletico Madrid on Friday week.
"We prepared for this match with the same seriousness as always and with the desire to do well. We're mentally prepared for the cup final, it will be a tough match. It is a clear aim, one we can achieve this year and nothing else can distract us. We all have to pull in the same direction."
In the day's other game, Atletico scored three second half goals to maintain third spot in La Liga. Diego Costa opened the scoring two minutes into the second half, before Juanfran doubled the lead in the 66th minute.
However, Augusto Fernandez cut the deficit for Celta Vigo with six minutes remaining only for Radamel Falcao to restore the two-goal lead two minutes later to ensure all three points for his side.