Real Madrid strengthened their position at the top of La Liga on Saturday night with a 4-0 win at home to second place Girona who were a shadow of the team they have been for most of the season.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (L) breaks through during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Girona in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 10, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

The win leaves Madrid five points clear of their nearest rivals in the title race and with the advantage of a superior head-to-head goal difference.

Vinicius Jr opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a wonderful curling shot into the far corner, although the visitors were annoyed that the VAR didn't look at a foul by Eduardo Camavinga at the start of the move that led to the goal.

Vinicius turned provider for the second goal with a curling pass that allowed Jude Bellingham to dribble past Girona keeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, and slide the ball home.

Bellingham netted his second of the game 10 minutes after the break, after Gazzaniga failed to hold Vinicius' shot.

Rodrygo quickly added a fourth after Yan Couto lost the ball, allowing the Brazilian to run through and score, while Girona struggled without the suspended Daley Blind, Yangel Herrera and with coach Michel in the stands.

The bad news for Madrid was that Bellingham had to leave the pitch after going over on his ankle and the England international was pictured with an icebag on his leg after leaving the pitch.

Osasuna stunned Real Sociedad with a 1-0 win in the Reale Arena, with Ante Budimir's 49th minute header giving his side three points against a rival that has failed to score in their last four matches.

Alaves and Villarreal drew 1-1 on Saturday lunchtime with a result that helps edge both teams away from the bottom three after a very even 90 minutes.

Alaves striker, Samu Omorodion headed his side ahead in the 24th minute, before Jorge Cuenca nodded Villarreal level from a corner three minutes from the break.

Both teams had chances in the closing minutes, but a draw was the fairest result.

First half goals from Willian Jose and Pablo Fornals, who netted his first goal since signing from West Ham, gave Betis an easy 2-0 win away to struggling Cadiz.

Cadiz offered very little in the game and slip further into trouble after extending their winless run to 20 games.

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