Real Madrid moved to the top of La Liga with a 4-1 victory over Villareal at the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham’s dream debut season in Madrid continued when he opened the scoring and a strike before the break from Rodrygo helped give Los Blancos a commanding half-time lead.
Villareal fought back in the second half when Jose Luis Morales pulled a goal back but further goals from Brahim Diaz and Luka Modric ensured Madrid returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion.
Madrid forced the opening chance inside eight minutes when Bellingham headed into the grasp of goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen from inside the box.
The hosts dominated the early parts of the contest with wave after wave of attack and came within inches of the first goal when Modric’s curling effort from outside the area kissed the top of the crossbar.
Madrid inevitably took the lead a couple of minutes later when England midfielder Bellingham headed home from Modric’s cross for his 17th goal of the season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side doubled their advantage in the 38th minute after Modric’s corner caused a scramble inside the area and the ball popped to Rodrygo who placed into the back of the net. The goal was initially ruled out but was given following a brief VAR check.
Villareal responded nine minutes after the break as Dani Parejo picked out Morales in between Nacho Fernandez and Antonio Rudiger and the forward slotted past Andriy Lunin to cut the deficit to one.
Madrid almost instantly regained their two-goal cushion after Rodrygo latched onto Lucas Vazquez’s long ball and attempted to poke it past Jorgensen, but the keeper was on hand to deny a certain goal.
Diaz scored Madrid’s third in superb style. After picking the ball up in the middle of the pitch, he made his way into the box and fired into the back of the net.
Madrid threatened to run away with the contest and added a fourth four minutes later after they capitalised on a Villarreal error in possession and Modric was on hand to blast home and make it 4-1.
Villareal keeper Jorgensen prevented Madrid bagging more goals as he stopped further efforts from Rodrygo and Diaz to keep the scoreline at 4-1.
But could not deny the home side from moving at least temporarily back above Girona, who play Alaves on Monday.
'I don't stop' – Simeone focused after bringing up 400 Atletico wins with Celta triumph
Diego Simeone is refusing to relent in his pursuit with Atletico Madrid after bringing up 400 wins during his managerial tenure at the club.
Atletico needed a late stunner from Rodrigo De Paul to edge past Celta Vigo on Sunday, keeping them on course for Champions League qualification.
Simeone's side would secure a top-four spot in LaLiga if they beat Getafe on Wednesday.
That remains Simeone's firm focus, rather than celebrating personal achievements.
The Atletico boss told reporters: "I don't stop. I know what I want, I know what I'm looking for, I know where the path is.
"I will continue pushing until the last day I am here.
"We will continue game by game until the end, and then we will analyse well what needs to be assessed."
Though not accepting any personal praise, Simeone lauded the support of Atletico's fans after another positive season in the Spanish capital.
"The unconditional support we have with our people," he added. "What is happening this season, our strength at home that is repeated and repeated, and repeated…
"It is not only because of what we can give. There is a passion that is extraordinary, unbeatable in that sense.
"It makes us play with a plus. It exists, it is seen, I hope we can continue repeating it for a long time"
Arteta hails 'phenomenal' Arsenal drive to take Man City all the way
Mikel Arteta hailed the "phenomenal" drive shown by his Arsenal side to push Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners moved one point clear of City at the Premier League summit on Sunday with a 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
City have a chance to restore their advantage when they travel to Arsenal's fierce rivals Tottenham on Tuesday, before then hosting West Ham.
Regardless of what happens in midweek, Arsenal will go into their final game of the campaign at home to Everton with the title battle still alive.
Speaking to BBC Sport after his side's latest win, Arteta said: "It is a phenomenal thing they are doing."
However, Arteta was not entirely pleased with the manner of his side's slender victory, even if they were good value for the win overall.
"We weren't composed, clean enough, consistent enough and were unable to do the simple things right," he said. "That doesn't give you control.
"Some of the players have not been in this position; they don't know what is at stake and how you feel emotionally to have to win and win and win from December or January."
Arsenal's win was just their second in 17 Premier League trips to Old Trafford, most recently coming out on top in November 2020.
Lenadro Trossard scored what proved to be the winner with 20 minutes played, tapping in from close range after being set up by Kai Havertz.
"We needed a result today in a really difficult place," Arteta added. "Our history was not in favour of a result today.
"There was so much at stake and we're happy with the result. We started the game really well and were dominant.
"We scored the goal and I think the goal led to slightly bad things because we started to play too safe, too sideways, too backwards with not enough structure.
"We started to give the ball away in good areas and that is a danger against them. But we defended well and didn't concede too much."
Arsenal now find themselves cheering on Tottenham against City, knowing that anything other than a win for Pep Guardiola's men will leave their title fate in their own hands.
Asked if he will be watching that game, Arteta said: "We will be sat watching and it’s true we need the result in order to achieve [the title]. In football there are always possibilities."
Tuchel skips goodbye from fans after final Bayern home game
Departing Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel opted on Sunday to quietly slip into the changing rooms instead of joining his players to celebrate after the Bavarians beat Wolfsburg 2-0.
Tuchel will be leaving at the end of the season – a year earlier than his contract ends – following a disappointing campaign with no silverware.
The win came four days after Bayern's Champions League semi-final exit to Real Madrid confirmed their first season without a trophy in over a decade.
"These are the moments for the players," he said when asked why he did not join his squad who went in front of the Bayern ultras after their final home game of the season.
"I don't want to be in the spotlight there. That's for the team. I know that the cameras are there.
"I prefer to go in [to the changing rooms]. It is about the team. The fans are there for the team. They need to be celebrated."
There has been little to celebrate for Tuchel in his 14 months in charge, with Bayern having managed to win only the Bundesliga title last season after Borussia Dortmund slipped up on the final matchday.
He said he did not yet know what he would take away from his time at Bayern, who missed out on Bundesliga glory to Bayer Leverkusen this term.
"Last home game and what remains I don't really know," he said. "It will take some time to see what is left.
"It is a privilege to coach at this level. I came to win as many titles as possible. We did not succeed in that."
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