Barcelona and Real Madrid win 3-0 as La Liga draws closer to conclusion

Tito Vilanova's side close in on title

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a brace against Athletic Bilbao (GETTY IMAGES)

Leaders Barcelona fielded a weakened side but still enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at Real Zaragoza that left them on 81 points, 13 clear at the top of La Liga with seven games left.

Thiago Alcantara opened the scoring and Cristian Tello notched two more goals as they cruised to victory with a side shorn of players such as Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and set up a third for Gonzalo Higuain as a near full-strength Real muscled their way to a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao to stay second with 68 points.

Atletico Madrid were three points adrift in third after Radamel Falcao scored twice in a 5-0 home rout of Granada, and Real Sociedad were 11 points further back in fourth after an Imanol Agirretxe double gave them a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.

PA