Karim Benzema scored two second-half goals as Spanish leader Real Madrid closed in on its first league title in four years by strolling to a 3-0 victory over Sevilla yesterday.

The France striker struck twice in quick succession early in the second half as Madrid bounced back from its Champions League semifinal exit to Bayern Munich.

Madrid provisionally moved 10 points clear of Barcelona, which was looking to win at Rayo Vallecano in the late match yesterday to keep its slim chances of a fourth straight 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 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Madrid showed no side effects from Wednesday's disappointing European loss when Ronaldo and Kaka both failed to convert penalties in Madrid's bid for a first Champions League final appearance in 10 years.

Benzema set up Ronaldo's 19th-minute opener as he rolled a short pass into his teammate'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 when he redirected Angel di Maria's skipping cross into the area past Varas.

Four minutes later, Varas could only watch Benzema's powerful header of a Sergio Ramos cross fly past him into the top of the goal.

Under the watchful eye of Qatar owner Sheik Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani, Malaga continued its run toward securing a Champions League spot as it beat Valencia 1-0 to match the third-place club's 55-point total.

Ignacio Camacho headed in the 27th-minute winner for the hosts, who enjoyed a man advantage over the final half hour after Sofiane Feghouli was red carded for clashing with Jose Rondon.

Malaga is three points ahead of Levante in the race for the league's final Champions League qualifying spot.

Also, Zaragoza maintained its chances of avoiding the drop with a 2-0 victory over Europa League finalist Athletic Bilbao.

Edu Oriel and Antonio "Apono" Galdeano scored either side of halftime to see Zaragoza join Sporting on 34 points, four behind Villarreal in the last safe spot. Racing Santander has already been relegated.

Bilbao slipped seven points back of fourth place and the last Champions League qualifying place.

Also yesterday Real Betis and Atletico Madrid – which will play Athletic in next month's Europa League final – took a point each in a 2-2 draw.