Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to give Real Madrid a hard-fought win at Real Betis, setting a club record 10th straight away victory in José Mourinho's 100th game at the helm of the runaway Spanish league leaders.
The win kept Real on course for their first league title in four seasons as they extended their advantage to 13 points over Barcelona before the defending champions' game at slumping Racing Santander on Sunday.
After Jorge Molina had opened the scoring for Betis, Gonzalo Higuaín levelled and Ronaldo put Real in front just after half-time.
The Betis forward Jefferson Montero quickly scored to make it 2-2 but Ronaldo fired in a rebound for the winner to secure Real their 11th consecutive win.
Lionel Messi added two more goals to his five in midweek to reach the half-century mark in all competitions this term as FC Barcelona triumphed 2-0 at Real Racing Club.
Scorer of a record-breaking five strikes against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Messi continued his superb campaign with both efforts in Barcelona's win. The Argentina forward slid in a Cesc Fàbregas pass on 29 minutes and added a penalty after the break to also hit the 30-goal mark in the top flight this term.
Third-placed Valencia CF could only draw 2-2 with RCD Mallorca, meanwhile, letting their two-goal lead slip as the visitors mustered a spirited response via Emilio Nsue (57) and Victor Casadesus (66). Valencia had Tino Costa dismissed with six minutes remaining and now lie 16 points shy of Barça.
Elsewhere, RCD Espanyol dismantled Rayo Vallecano de Madrid 5-1, Kalu Uche grabbing a hat-trick, and Club Atlético de Madrid beat Granada CF 2-0. In the late game, CA Osasuna climbed up to sixth by defeating Athletic Club 2-1.
