Spanish league leader Real Madrid turned up the pressure on Barcelona Saturday when the in-form Karim Benzema scored a brace to lead its 5-1 win over Granada. The victory extended Madrid's advantage over its fierce rival to six points ahead of Barcelona's Catalan capital derby at Espanyol Sunday. Benzema opened the scoring at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the 19th minute. Granada equalized three minutes later, but Madrid went on to dominate through goals by Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuain, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. The France striker, who scored the winner in Madrid's 3-2 victory over Malaga in the Copa del Rey this week, has 10 goals in league play this season. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho opted for a high-powered attack with Ronaldo accompanied by Benzema and Higuain in strike. The move proved to be the right one as the three combined for four of Madrid's goals. At El Sardinero Stadium, Racing Santander extended its turnaround since the departure of coach Hector Cuper with a 1-0 win over last-place Zaragoza thanks to Bernardo Espinosa's first-half header. Santander's unbeaten streak became four games under the caretaker coaching trio of Juan Jose Gonzalez, Fede Castanos and Pablo Pinillos, helping the team move out of the drop zone for the first time in 12 weeks. Zaragoza recorded its ninth loss in 10 games in the debut of coach Manolo Jimenez following the firing of Javier Aguirre. Earlier, Levante vs. Mallorca and Real Sociedad vs. Osasuna ended in scoreless draws. The return of forward Jose Antonio Reyes to Sevilla was spoiled by Rayo Vallecano Sunday as the promoted side won 2-1 to break a four-game losing streak in the Spanish league. Rayo forward Miguel “Michu” Perez headed in a cross that was bobbled by Sevilla goalkeeper Javi Varas to give the host the lead against the run of play in first-half added time. Striker Raul Tamudo then extended Rayo's advantage in the 51st when he controlled a long pass with one touch and rifled the ball into the net. Defender Julien Escude pulled one back for the visitors in the 61st, but Rayo claimed the victory after Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo volleyed off the crossbar in the dying moments. Also Sunday, it's: Getafe vs. Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal vs. Valencia and Real Betis vs. Sporting Gijon.
