Ronaldo on the double

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to take his goal tally for the season to a jaw-dropping 20 in 11 La Liga appearances as leaders Real Madrid subdued plucky top-flight debutants Eibar 4-0 on Saturday.

James Rodriguez nodded the visitors in front in the 23rd minute at the tiny Ipurua stadium in the Basque Country, which holds fewer than 6,000 spectators, before Ronaldo's scuffed shot made it 2-0 two minutes before the break.

Karim Benzema cracked in the third in the 69th minute and Ronaldo made it 4-0 from the penalty spot seven minutes from time as the European champions swept to a 14th victory in a row in all competitions.

Mid-table Eibar, whose entire squad is worth roughly as much as Ronaldo's annual wages of 20 million euros ($24.8 million), created several scoring chances but were outclassed by Real's galaxy of superstars.

Their latest success put the world's richest club by income four points clear at the top with 30 points from 12 matches during which they have amassed 46 goals.

Atletico Madrid had earlier closed to within a point of their crosstown rivals when midfielder Tiago scored one goal and created another for Diego Godin in a 3-1 win for the champions at home to Malaga.

Tiago nodded Koke's corner powerfully into the net in the 13th minute at the Calderon and the lively Antoine Griezmann tapped home an Arda Turan centre three minutes before halftime.

Roque Santa Cruz set nerves jangling when he pulled a goal back for sixth-placed Malaga just after the hour but their chances were extinguished when forward Samuel picked up a second yellow card in the 73rd minute.

Atletico made sure of the points when Tiago hooked the ball to the back post for an unmarked Godin to head home six minutes from time before captain Gabi picked up his second caution in the 88th.

The champions, who won their first top-flight title in 18 years last season, are second on 26 points, one ahead of Barcelona who host fifth-placed Sevilla later on Saturday.