Karim Benzema opened the scoring late in the first half, netting for the fourth league game in a row, before further strikes from Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric made it a comfortable victory in the second period.
Cristiano Ronaldo left the field in stoppage time in some discomfort to spark injury fears on an otherwise positive evening for Madrid.
Barca’s stunning loss of form in recent weeks allowed Zinedine Zidane’s side to close to within one point of the summit, but the pressure was asserted back onto Madrid as the defending champions demolished Deportivo La Coruna 8-0 before kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Atletico’s subsequent 1-0 triumph at Athletic Bilbao further heightened the need for Madrid to respond in kind here, and they managed to do just that to keep the gap to the leading duo to one point with four matches remaining.
Victory was Madrid’s eighth in succession in the league since their derby loss to Atletico in February as they kept their title hopes alive and maintained their momentum ahead of next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.
Villarreal, who are into the last four of the Europa League, will hope to join Madrid in Europe’s premier club competition next season – Marcelino’s side occupy the final qualification berth with a six-point gap to fifth-placed Athletic despite a second consecutive defeat.
Source: Goal
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