Revitalized Real thrash Sevilla
Real Madrid sent a warning to Barcelona just two weeks ahead of El Clasico by storming back into form as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a 5-0 thrashing of Sevilla on Saturday.
Sevilla had started the afternoon on the same number of points as Madrid in joint fourth, but the sides looked worlds apart as Real scored all five goals before half-time to close to within five points of Barca at the top of the table.
Nacho got the hosts off to a perfect start before Ronaldo doubled his La Liga tally for the season with a cool finish and a penalty inside the half mark.
Toni Kroos and Achraf Hakimi rounded off the rout as Real leapfrogged cross city rivals Atletico Madrid into third.
Barca can regain their eight-point advantage over Real when they visit Villarreal on Sunday.
Real's spirits were lifted even before kick-off as Ronaldo showed off his record-equalling fifth Ballon d'Or to an adoring Santiago Bernabeu.
Ronaldo struck twice. The Portuguese swept home Marco Asensio's lovely through ball to double Madrid's advantage.
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