Real Madrid CF will go into the winter break with a three-point advantage over FC Barcelona at the Liga summit after a 6-2 win at Sevilla FC.

With Barça away on FIFA Club World Cup duty, José Mourinho's side took full advantage and went in front through Cristiano Ronaldo. José Callejón doubled the lead on 37 minutes, with Ronaldo's spectacular strike (41) making it 3-0.  The Merengues did not have it all their own way, however, as Pepe was dismissed a minute before half-time.

The hosts failed to make the most of their numerical edge and fell further behind when Ángel Di María (66) struck. Jesús Navas swiftly replied for Sevilla but Ronaldo's penalty (85) − which completed his fifth Liga hat-trick of the season − and Hamit Altıntop (89) ensured Madrid scored six or more in a top-flight match for the fourth time this term.

Elsewhere, Thievy Bifouma (4) and Sergio García (84) were on target as RCD Espanyol moved up to seventh with a 2-1 victory at lowly Real Sporting de Gijón. Getafe CF won by the same scoreline at RCD Mallorca, as did Athletic Club against bottom-of-the-table Real Zaragoza.