After avoiding each other in the Champions League semifinals, Barcelona and Real Madrid maintained the status quo in La Liga, with similar 3-0 wins Sunday.
Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was at his imperious best, scoring two and assisting the other in a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames, as the defending champions remained 13 points behind Barca after their 3-0 win over Real Zaragoza, thanks to a brace from Cristian Tello.
Ronaldo started things off brilliantly with a perfect freekick, which climbed over the wall before nestling in the top corner in the second minute of the game.
Bilbao responded well, forcing a couple of nice saves from Diego Lopez, again preferred to Iker Casillas in goal.
Ronaldo, who had to endure quite a few robust challenges from Bilbao players, doubled the lead in the 68th minute, latching onto a freekick from Xabi Alonso, before setting up Gonzalo Higuain soon after.
The Portuguese superstar, with the double, now has 31 league goals to his name, and has scored in eight straight games in all competitions.
"Football is for men and even more in San Mames," Real assistant Aitor Karanka said. "Cristiano had the match he had and scored twice. Athletic's players did what they needed to do.
"Cristiano did well in a tough atmosphere and has once again shown the type of player he is. He did what he had to do and scored two goals that won us the match."
Earlier, Barcelona, without their talisman Lionel Messi, eased to another three points with a 3-0 victory over Real Zaragoza, with Cristian Tello scoring a brace.
Barca rested some of their key players, with the likes of Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique left out of the lineup along with Messi.
Thiago Alcantara took advantage of the opportunity, scoring the opening goal off a counter-attack after a quick one-two with Alexis Sanchez in the 20th minute.
Thiago then set up Tello for his first goal just before halftime, before completing the rout early in the second half.
"Every team has a lot on the line at this point in the season and they are stronger when they play at home, that's why we're very pleased with today's win," Thiago said. "We were a complete team today in all aspects of the game, and the score reflects that.
"We want to win La Liga as soon as possible, but the race isn't over yet. There are a lot of points still in play and we can't assume that this is a done deal."
Radamel Falcao, not be left behind by the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, also scored two goals in a 5-0 thrashing of Granada. Falcao now has 24 goals to his name in the league.
Results: Sunday: Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Real Madrid; Real Zaragoza 0-3 Barcelona; Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Real Sociedad; Atletico Madrid 5-0 Granada.
Saturday: Levante 0-4 Deportivo; Real Valladolid 2-1 Getafe; Espanyol 3-3 Valencia; Malaga 1-0 Osasuna. Friday: Real Betis 3-3 Sevilla.
