BARCELONA, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a long-range goal worthy of the recently awarded Ballon dOr to spark Real Madrids 5-0 rout at Real Betis, provisionally lifting them level with the co-leaders of the Spanish league on Saturday. Ronaldo netted one of his signature free kicks in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday to celebrate being named the world player of the year, and he topped that with a 25-meter blast taken on the run in the 10th minute in Seville. Gareth Bale followed Ronaldos rocket with a delicately placed free kick in the 25th for his first goal since Nov. 30, leaving the hosts demoralized and in tatters at the back. Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Alvaro Morata all scored before the demolition of bottom-side Betis was over. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid can both regain their advantage over Madrid when they play matches on Sunday. "Everything went our way," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "It was an important opportunity to reach the top of the table. At least we can sleep well tonight." Betis was left eight points from safety just past the leagues midway mark after Elche earned its first in six rounds by beating 10-man Rayo Vallecano 2-0 at home. Entering the match on a 12-round winless streak and showing no improvement since Juan Carlos Garrido replaced Pepe Mel as its coach, Betis desperately needed to repeat its 1-0 win over Madrid from last season. But Madrid dominated possession from the start, and the talent of Ronaldo and company soon crushed any hopes of an upset. Ancelotti said he would ask Ronaldo "for more" after he won his second Ballon dOr on Monday, and his star forward has certainly done that with two more superb goals this week to help his team advance past Osasuna in the Copa del Rey and tighten the league title race. Ronaldo was aggressive as ever from the start against Betis and his effort paid off when he unleashed a right-footed strike while dribbling at full speed that sailed past goalkeeper Stephan Andersen and into the roof of the net. The shot increased Ronaldos league-leading tally to 21 goals in 20 rounds. He has 31 goals in 26 appearances overall this season for Madrid. Bale turned Andersen into a helpless bystander for a second time when he lifted a free kick over the wall before it suddenly dipped down and into the net. Modric then set up Benzemas goal in first-half stoppage time when he pounced on a loose ball, drew three defenders to him, changed direction and crossed for the striker to slot home. It was Benzemas 100th goal in his fifth season at Madrid. Ancelotti praised the work of Modric and fellow midfielder Xabi Alonso for triggering Madrids lethal attack. "Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema were very efficient. The entire team game them several scoring option because we played at a fast pace," he said. "The help of our midfielders, above all Modric, was very important." Andersen denied Ronaldo one-on-one after half time, but he couldnt stop Di Maria from sending a rebound from outside the area skidding just inside the upright in the 62nd minute. Substitute Morata scored the fifth in the 90th minute. Elche was up a goal and a player from the 19th minute when Edu Albacar converted a penalty after Rayos Raul Baena was red-carded for fouling Ferran Corominas in the box. Javi Marquez sealed the victory in the 79th to leave Rayo in the relegation zone. Espanyol hosted Celta Vigo later, while Osasuna travelled to Granada. Barcelona visits Levante on Sunday after Atletico hosts Sevilla. Kevin Faulk Jersey .Y. - Joe Johnson hit six 3-pointers in his 27 points, Mason Plumlee added 18 points, and the Brooklyn Nets won their 11th straight at home, beating the Boston Celtics 114-98 Friday night. New England Patriots Jerseys . Following the Ford Womens World Curling Championship gold medal match that attracted record-breaking audiences to TSN, the networks exclusive live coverage of the tournament begins Saturday at 7am et/4am pt with Canadas opening draw against Denmark. http://www.shoptheofficialpatriots.com/E...atriots-Jersey/. Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, set numerous rookie records and was picked AP Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Washington Redskins. John Hannah Jersey . The Yankees made the moves before Tuesdays game against Baltimore. Robertson was listed retroactive to Monday. Robertson posted two saves in three games as the replacement for retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera before getting hurt. Andre Tippett Jersey .J. -- Tom Coughlin doesnt have many options at halfback for the winless New York Giants.EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Drew Doughty had just played more than 39 minutes in a double-overtime playoff game, and he still couldnt sleep on the Kings flight back to Los Angeles. The Western Conference finals have ascended to a new level of tension after the Blackhawks dodged Los Angeles first attempt to eliminate them. Chicago trimmed its series deficit to 3-2 in an extra-time thriller in Game 5, while the Kings got a sleepless trip home. Los Angeles gets another chance to advance in Game 6 on Friday night. While the Kings have been incredible in elimination games this spring, Doughty realizes they cant sleep on the opportunity before them at Staples Center. "We know we cant let it go to a Game 7," Doughty said Thursday at the Kings training complex. "No matter what, this game has to be ours. Its so important for us to advance to the Stanley Cup Final that we win this game. If we give them this game, theyre going to have so much more life, and theyre going to be a different team. We need to take that and deal with it." Doughtys fellow Kings largely agreed with the star defencemans pointed declarations as they recovered from their worst defensive performance in 16 games. Jonathan Quick and the NHLs best defensive team gave up five goals to the Blackhawks, who survived despite Corey Crawfords fourth straight unimpressive effort in Chicagos net. Los Angeles, which blew a lead heading to the third period for the first time this spring, has mostly downplayed the notion of payback for last seasons conference finals loss to Chicago. But Doughty thinks it should be on the Kings minds before what might be the defining game of their season. "They know how to win," Doughty said. "We also know that they took our Cup back from us last year, so now its our turn. We want to eliminate this team. They eliminated us last year, and its our turn to return the favour. We need to go into Staples believing that we can eliminate this team, and do just that." While Doughty attempts to keep the Kings focused on Game 6, the Blackhawks intend to remember what got them off the canvas in Game 5 after the previous seven periods of the series were largely dominated by Los Angeles. Before Game 5, the Blackhawks curiously insisted alll the pressure in the series rested on the Kings, not the team facing three straight elimination games.dddddddddddd. Whether the facile psychological ploy helped or not, the champions still seem to think Los Angeles is the team in trouble. "We want to stay with the mentality that were putting all the pressure on them," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said before the clubs flight to the West Coast. "Its going to be tough for them to close it out and win that fourth game against us." But the road has been tough on the Blackhawks, who are just 2-6 away from home in the post-season. Chicago was outscored 9-5 and beaten convincingly twice at Staples Center in this series, showing little of the offensive potency that got them to this point. Coach Joel Quenneville made another round of lineup adjustments to spark his team, and the Blackhawks had immediate success teaming Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Andrew Shaw on a new line for Game 5. Kane, a ghost for much of the series, contributed four assists. "We have our backs against the wall here and face elimination, but were staying relaxed," said Saad, who had three points. "Weve been through it before, and it definitely helps. Weve had success on the road before, and L.A. is definitely tough, but were not going to let that end the season. We cant make any excuses whether were playing at home or away." The Kings spent much of the past month avoiding playoff elimination, already winning six games with their season in the balance, so they can appreciate the Blackhawks resilience. Chicago produced a three-goal first period and a third-period tying goal before Michal Handzus overtime winner capped one of the most entertaining NHL post-season games in recent history. Back home for Game 6, the Kings want their own defining victory. "I think for the fans, it was unbelievable to watch," said Marian Gaborik, who scored his 11th goal of a spectacular post-season. "But for us, it wasnt the type of game we want to play. You know, trade chances, trade odd-man rushes. "I think were going to have a lot of energy (in Game 6). If we win, we can be in the Stanley Cup Final. That itself should give you plenty of energy." ' ' '