Karim Benzema scored two second-half goals as the Spanish leaders Real Madrid closed in on their first league title in four years by strolling to a 3-0 victory over Sevilla.
The France striker struck twice in quick succession early in the second half as Madrid bounced back from their Champions League semi‑final exit to Bayern Munich.
Madrid moved 10 points clear of Barcelona, who must win at Rayo Vallecano later on Sunday to keep their slim chances of a fourth successive league trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo extended his league record goal total to 43 with a first-half opener that was the Portugal forward's 57th goal of the season.
Madrid showed no side effects from their disappointing European defeat on Wednesday when Ronaldo and Kaka both failed to score penalties in Madrid's attempt for a first Champions League final appearance in 10 years.
Madrid could be celebrating their record 32nd league trophy if Barcelona fail to win at the Vallecas Stadium, in the first game since the head coach, Pep Guardiola, announced he was leaving at the end of the season with assistant Tito Vilanova his replacement.
"This is good for us, it was a very important game for us as we continue on looking to be champions," Benzema told Canal Plus TV as Madrid reached 91 points to Barcelona's 81. "The Champions League is in the past, we only care about the league now."
Benzema set up Ronaldo's 19th-minute opener as he rolled a short pass into his team-mate's path and the Portugal forward cut back to shake his marker and slot home a low shot inside the opposite corner.
Benzema then tested Javi Varas, who had denied Marcelo from a tight angle, before watching the post stop Ronaldo's free‑kick from next to the penalty spot in the 36th.
Benzema atoned for a pair of first-half misses in the 48th minute when he redirected Angel di María's skipping cross into the area past Varas. Four minutes later, Varas could only watch Benzema's powerful header from a Sergio Ramos cross fly past him into the top of the goal.
It was the Frenchman's 20th league goal and 31st in all competitions, making this his best season at Madrid.
The Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, was rarely tested aside from Alvaro Negredo's weak effort moments before Benzema's first goal.
Madrid extended their league record goal tally to 112 goals with three games remaining. "The sooner [we win the league], the better," the Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka said. Read More
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