Ronaldo's brace leads Real Madrid over Osasuna

Navarra, Spain – Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace to maintain the La Liga scoring lead and Real Madrid rolled to another impressive win, 5-1 over Osasuna on Saturday at the Reyno de Navarra.

Ronaldo scored in the 37th and 70th minutes and has 37 goals this season, just more than Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Real also maintained its six-point cushion over Barcelona atop the standings.

Karim Benzema started the scoring with his 17th goal of the season, which is fifth in the league, in the seventh minute, and Ronaldo added his first before halftime.

Gonzalo Higuain followed with the first of his two goals 5 minutes before half and, after Nino scored Osasuna's lone goal early after half, Ronaldo completed his brace 20 minutes from time.

Higuain capped another lopsided win with his 20th goal, which is third in the league, and the team's 100th of the season against just 27 allowed.

Osasuna had its six-game unbeaten streak snapped, but remained sixth with most of its European hopeful challengers yet to play this weekend.

Real Madrid will resume play Wednesday in the second leg of their quarterfinal Champions League series against APOEL. Real won the first game, 3-0, in Cyprus and hosts the second leg at the Bernabeu.

Barcelona 2, Athletic Bilbao 0

Barcelona, Spain - Lionel Messi converted a penalty for this 36th La Liga goal of the season as Barcelona edged Athletic Bilbao, 2-0, on Saturday at the Camp Nou to keep pace with leader Real Madrid.

Andres Iniesta also scored for Barca, which is six points off the pace of Real Madrid, which beat Osasuna 5-1 on Saturday.

Barcelona has won seven straight to keep the pressure on Real, but did not get any help from Osasuna - which beat Barca in February - as it continues to try and close a once double-digit deficit in the table.

Barca hosts AC Milan in the second game of their Champions League quarterfinal series Tuesday at the Camp Nou. The teams tied 0-0 in Milan earlier this week.

Athletic Bilbao lost for the fourth time in its last five, and is 11th in the standings.

Real Betis 2, Malaga 0

Malaga, Spain - Ruben Castro and Jose Antonio Dorado scored in the first half as Real Betis defeated Malaga, 2-0, on Saturday at the Estadio La Rosaleda to move seven points clear of the La Liga relegation zone.

With Real Zaragoza, Racing and Sporting Gijon also playing Saturday, Betis was able to separate from the bottom three with its fifth road win of the season.

Malaga lost at home for just the third time as its Champions League hopes took a blow, although it remained in fourth place. Malaga had won five of its last six matches.

Real Zaragoza 2, Sporting Gijon 1

Gijon, Spain - Lafita scored in stoppage time as Real Zaragoza won its third straight to move within three points of safety and leave Sporting Gijon on the bottom of the table with a 2-1 win Saturday at El Molinon in La Liga.

Helder Postiga scored in the first half for Zaragoza and Sebastian Eguern tied the match early in the second half for Gijon, but Lafita separated the teams.

Zaragoza is still 18th, and could lose ground on its closest opponents Sunday. Gijon has lost three times during a four-match winless run, and is six points from safety.

Granada 1, Racing 0

Santander, Spain - Guillherme Siqueira converted a penalty in the 90th minute and Granada snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday with 1-0 win over Racing at the Estadio El Sardinero in La Liga.

Granada moved to 15th in the standings and six points clear of the relegation zone. Racing lost for the sixth time in its last eight and is winless in its last 12 matches.