KARIM BENZEMA scored three goals in seven minutes as Real Madrid brushed aside Real Valladolid, but they still trail behind rivals Barcelona.
Los Blancos tore apart Valladolid 6-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu with their Ballon D’or winning striker proving to be the star man.
Karim Benzema was in scintillating form once again as he scored a hat-trick
The Frenchman completed his hat-trick with a stunning acrobatic finish to add the cherry on top of his performance.
He was joined on the scoresheet by Rodrygo, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez.
Benzema has now scored 14 league goals this season, but is still second in the top scorers charts with Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski leading the way after netting 17 times.
Real Madrid find themselves in a similar position in the league table as they currently sit in second place, miles off Barcelona who are 12 points ahead at the top of the pile.
The Catalan giants have been running away with the league under boss Xavi and it seems Carlo Ancelotti’s men have little hope of chasing them down.
With only 11 games left to play time is running out for a spectacular title charge from Madrid.
The two sides face each other on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.
Real may have to turn their attention to the Champions League as they gear up for quarter-final clash with Chelsea.
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The two sides face off in the first leg of the tie on April 12 with the Spanish side heavy favourites against a struggling Chelsea team under Graham Potter.
Real Madrid will be hoping to advance to the semi-finals as they seek to add a 15th Champions League to their trophy cabinet.