Ronaldo injured as Bale scores in Madrid rout

Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off with a slight thigh strain having opened the scoring and Gareth Bale was also on target as Real Madrid won 5-0 at Almeria to remain six points behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Barcelona made light work of their own injury problems as despite Lionel Messi's absence they cruised to a 4-0 win over Granada at the Camp Nou yesterday, whilst Atletico Madrid remain second after crushing Getafe 7-0.
Ronaldo had taken less than three minutes to register his 14th goal in his last seven games for club and country as he flicked home Isco's cross to give Madrid the lead.

However, he then had to be replaced by Jese Rodriguez just six minutes into the second-half as he hobbled off down the tunnel.
Despite losing their star man, Madrid were rampant in the final half hour as Karim Benzema made the game safe before Bale, Isco and Alvaro Morata rounded off the scoring.
And Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is confident that Ronaldo's injury will not keep him sidelined for a significant period of time.

"I don't think it is serious because he is not in pain. It is a muscle strain so I hope he will be fine soon. Tomorrow there will be more tests, but we don't think it is a big problem."

Having scored a hat-trick against Sweden to guarantee Portugal's place in the World Cup earlier in the week, Ronaldo continued his scoring streak as he flicked home Isco's low cross from the right.
Benzema ensured there was little time for Almeria to take encouragement from Ronaldo's absence as he curled home from 20 yards two minutes after the former Manchester United man had been forced off.
Bale then slotted home his fourth goal in five games from close range as he took advantage of some sloppy defending by the hosts.
More was to come from Madrid as Isco then fired home from long range and substitute Morata completed the rout with a dinked finish over Esteban 10 minutes from time.

Earlier, Barca continued their 100 percent home record this season with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Granada.
First-half penalties from Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas put the Catalans in command at the break.