Ronaldo leads Real rout

Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the eighth successive match as Real Madrid coasted to a 5-0 victory in Mallorca last night.

Ronaldo struck twice and set up the second of Gonzalo Higuain’s brace. Substitute Jose Maria Callejon added a fifth in stoppage time.

Atletico Madrid had earlier claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory over Osasuna at the Vicente Calderon to keep pace with Barcelona at the top.

Two goals in four minutes just after the half-hour mark from Miranda and Raul Garcia had Diego Simeone’s men in a commanding position, but Roland Lamah reduced the arrears just before half-time.

However, it seemed only a matter of time before Radamel Falcao would get his customary goal and he made it 17 in his past 11 games for club and country with a controlled volley.

Like Real, Barcelona also found the net on five occasions as they thumped Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night thanks to a brace from Lionel Messi and goals from David Villa, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas.

In Italy, Inter Milan continued their pursuit of Serie A leaders Juventus by moving above Napoli and into second place thanks to a 3-1 victory at Bologna. Andrea Ranocchia gave the visitors the lead in the 27th minute before Diego Milito added a second just after the half-time break. Nicolo Cherubin replied immediately, but Esteban Cambiasso scored his first goal of the season minutes later to seal Inter’s fifth consecutive win, which keeps the Nerazzurri four points shy of the reigning champions.

Juventus had Arturo Vidal and some controversial refereeing decisions to thank as they edged out Catania 1-0, in the day’s early kick-off.

In Germany, Bayern Munich lost their 100% record in the Bundesliga at home to Bayer Leverkusen (1-2) yesterday. An 87th-minute own goal from Germany centre-half Jerome Boateng stunned the leaders after they had earlier pegged back the visitors. Bayern’s defeat leaves them four points ahead of second-placed Schalke, who beat Nurnberg 1-0 on Saturday.