La Liga wrap: Five-star Real hammer Valencia

Real Madrid were at their scintillating best as they crushed Valencia 5-0 in the La Liga on Sunday.

All the goals came in the first half as a rampant Real swept aside an impotent Valencia at the Mestalla in what was their second victory over Mauricio Pellegrino’s side in as many matches after their 2-0 Copa del Rey win last week.

Moments after missing a gilt-edged opportunity, Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring for Jose Mourinho’s side after stroking home Angel Di Maria’s cutback in the ninth minute.

Di Maria then got himself on the scoresheet when Cristiano Ronaldo surged into the box before drilling the ball across the face of goals to give the 24-year-old the simplest of finishes.

Madrid scored their third immediately after play restarted with Ronaldo picking the ball up on the halfway line and storming into the box before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot that beat Valencia ‘keeper Victor Ruiz at his near post.

The Portuguese superstar then scored his second and Madrid’s fourth in the 41st minute with Di Maria ending the scoring spree on the stroke of halftime as Jose Mourinho’s side strolled to victory.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid made the most of Barcelona’s shock loss to Real Sociedad with a 2-0 win over Levante at the Vincente Calderon.

Adrian Lopez fired the hosts ahead in the 32nd minute after he turned home a Javi Manquillo cross courtesy of a deflection off Levante defender David Navarro.

The game was made safe for Diego Simeone’s side when Koke curled home a second from the edge of the area with an hour gone.

Atletico now sit eight points behind leaders Barcelona but their victory came at a cost with star striker Radamel Falcao limping off with a hamstring injury moments before Koke’s goal.

The club later confirmed the Colombian had damaged his left hamstring but could not say how long he would be sidelined for.

Osasuna climbed off the bottom of the table with a vital 2-1 win over fellow relegation strugglers Deportivo la Coruna.

Goals to Sola and Nino were enough to get the home side over the line with Camunas scoring for Deportivo in injury time.

It wasn’t enough though as Osasuna moved to within one point of safety while Jose Luis Oltra’s side replace them at the foot of the table.

In the day’s other game, Real Valladolid enhanced their chances of European action next season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza.