Ronaldo scores twice in Real rout

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two long-range goals to help Real Madrid rout Osasuna 4-0 and stay in the Spanish league title chase while resting several first-choice players for its European clash at Bayern Munich.

Osasuna lined up to provide Madrid a guard of honor before the match as the hosts paraded their recently won Copa del Rey trophy at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

With Gareth Bale recovering from the flu and Karim Benzema on the bench, all of Madrid’s attack went through Ronaldo on the left flank.

And the Ballon d’Or winner did not disappoint by unleashing two similar blasts after cutting inside to put the ball on his right boot to take his league-leading tally to 30 goals through 35 rounds.

Sergio Ramos headed in a third goal in the 60th and Ronaldo went to the bench seconds later to an ovation from the crowd. Dani Carvajal headed home Isco Alarcon’s lobbed pass to cap the lopsided victory in the 83rd minute. 

Madrid provisionally closed to within three points of leader Atletico Madrid and visit Bayern in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal, having won the first leg 1-0.

Elsewhere, Getafe’s 1-0 win over Malaga condemned last-place Real Betis to relegation, while Rayo Vallecano scored three times in the second half for a 3-0 win at 10-man Granada.