Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain were again on the scoresheet as Real Madrid ensured the Primera Division title race would go to the final week with an ultimately convincing 5-1 victory over 10-man Athletic Bilbao.
The duo had netted 51 league goals between them in 56 games prior to this fixture and they were on the mark once more as Madrid stayed within a point of leaders Barcelona, who beat Sevilla 3-2.
Ronaldo, who struck his first hat-trick for Madrid in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Real Mallorca, opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute in an incident that also saw Athletic defender Fernando Amorebieta sent-off.
Athletic captain Fran Yeste threatened to ruin Madrid's night when he scored a brilliant equaliser just before half-time, but four goals in the final 17 minutes from Higuain, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Marcelo earned the home side their 18th win in their last 19 league games.
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Barcelona survived an unexpected comeback from 10-man Sevilla to move closer to a second successive league title with a vital 3-2 win at the Sanchez Pizjuan on a dramatic evening of Primera Division football.
Lionel Messi gave Barca the lead after five minutes and Bojan Krkic doubled the Catalans' lead just short of the half hour mark.
Sevilla then went down to 10 men following Abdoulay Konko's dismissal 10 minutes into the second period and Barca looked to be out of sight after Pedro struck a third shortly afterwards.
But Pep Guardiola's side were forced to endure a nervous finale as Sevilla fought back with goals from Frederic Kanoute and Luis Fabiano midway through the second half.
Barca held on, though, and after Real Madrid won 5-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao, the title goes down to the wire.
Barcelona came into this match with a one-point lead over Madrid, who were in action simultaneously at home to Athletic.
And with Barca facing a seemingly straightforward clash at home to struggling Valladolid on the last game of the season, Madrid, who face Malaga away next week, needed the Catalans to slip up in this match.
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