Cristiano Ronaldo took his tally for the season to 49 as Real Madrid cut the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just a point with a comfortable 3-0 win over Eibar. Ronaldo opened the scoring with his first free-kick goal for nearly a year before Javier Hernandez crowned a rare start with the second before half-time.
Madrid eased up after the break ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid in midweek, but there was still time for Jese Rodriguez to fire home a third eight minutes from time.
Barcelona face a stiff test if they are to regain their four-point lead at the top as they travel to Sevilla later on Saturday.
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had handed outings to Hernandez, Jese, Asier Illarramendi and Keylor Navas, making six changes from Wednesday's 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos were out suspended, whilst Gareth Bale missed the game through injury.
The hosts took their time to get going, but were only denied the opener in incredible fashion on 19 minutes as Sergio Ramos' initial shot came off the bar, Isco's follow-up effort then came off both posts and Hernandez was flagged offside as he fired in the rebound.
Madrid only had to wait four more minutes to make the breakthrough as Ronaldo's swerving free-kick flummoxed Xabi Irureta to end a run of 56 attempts at goal from free-kicks without scoring for the World Player of the Year.
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