Real Madrid win to go joint top

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale (2nd L) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Real Betis during their Spanish First Division soccer match at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, January 18, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Real Madrid won 5-0 away to a hapless Betis to move level on points with FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

With Barca and Atletico not playing until Sunday, this was always a good chance for Real Madrid to make up ground against a side that has only taken 11 points all season and so it proved.

Real Madrid were in control from the moment Cristiano Ronaldo drilled home a powerful right foot shot from 25 yards after just 10 minutes and the goals continued to arrive at regular intervals against a rival which was unable to manage a single shot on goal all game.

Gareth Bale's free kick on 2 minutes doubled the lead as Betis goalkeeper Stefan Anderson stood rooted to the spot and Karim Benzema netted his 10th goal of the season with the last kick of the first half.

With members of the crowd protesting about their team and demanding the resignation of coach, Juan Carlos Garrido Angel Di Maria scored from distance to add a fourth and Alvaro Morata poked home a fifth in the last minute to round off what will probably be Madrid' s easiest game of the season.

Elche took a big step towards safety at the expense of Rayo Vallecano in a match marked by the sending off of Ray's Raul Baena for conceding a 17th minute penalty.

Albacar converted the spot kick and Elche dominated the game, but thanks to a string of saves from Rayo keeper Ruben, were unable to seal the points until Javi Marquez's shot in the 80th minute put the definitive 2-0 on the scoreboard.

Granada and Osasuna put a dull 0-0 on the scoreboard which will just about suite both sides' interests, while in the last game of the day Espanyol and Celta Vigo looked to be heading for the second 0-0 of the night before Sergio Garcia scored a magnificent and decisive goal in the 88th minute to give his side all three points.

Sunday sees Barcelona play away to Levante while Atletico Madrid entertain an in-form Sevilla.