Gareth Bale scored for the first time in almost two months as Real Madrid moved level with leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo capped a fine week by thrashing in the opening goal at bottom club Real Betis.
Bale, who had last netted against Valladolid on 30 November, curled in a superb free-kick before Karim Benzema scored his 100th goal for Madrid.

Carlo's way

Ancelotti has guided Real Madrid to a 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions since a 2-1 defeat at Barcelona on 26 October.
Angel Di Maria converted a rebound and Alvaro Morata wrapped up an easy win.
Carlo Ancelotti's side knew a victory would put pressure on top two Barca and Atletico, who play Levante and Sevilla respectively on Sunday.
And they responded with a dynamic performance against a Betis side who offered little resistance.
Portugal captain Ronaldo, who also scored in Wednesday's Copa del Rey win at Osasuna, celebrated being named as the world's best player by blasting in his 21st goal of the season from long range.
Betis keeper Stephan Andersen did not even move and was beaten easily again shortly after by Bale's pinpoint set-piece.
The Welshman, who moved to the Bernabeu in an £85m world-record transfer, has drawn criticism in recent weeks after failing to hit top form following a calf injury.

Free-kick kings

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only La Liga players to score more than one free-kick this season. Bale has scored two from four attempts, with Ronaldo netting twice from 20 attempts.
And the 24-year-old's relief was clearly evident as he was mobbed by his team-mates in celebration of his 10th goal for Los Blancos.
France striker Benzema blasted inside the post, following great build-up play from Luka Modric, shortly before half-time to rack up his century in all competitions since joining from Lyon in 2009.
After the break, the away side continued to press and scored their fourth when Argentina winger Di Maria thumped a low drive into the bottom corner.
Substitute Morata, who Ancelotti reiterated on Friday would not be leaving the Bernabeu after being linked with Premier League side Arsenal, clipped in from close range in the final minute.
Betis sacked recently-appointed West Bromwich Albion coach Pep Mel last month and are bottom on 11 points after 20 matches, five adrift of Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

Real Betis

  • 01 Andersen
  • 02 Chica Torres Booked
  • 12 Vilá Roselló
  • 21 Reyes (Caro Martínez - 78' )
  • 03 Santos Junior
  • 04 Amaya
  • 06 Baptistao
  • 05 Matilla
  • 24 Castro (Vadillo - 56' Booked )
  • 19 Molina
  • 14 Sevilla López Booked (Moreno Fuertes - 63' )

Substitutes

  • 07 Vadillo
  • 10 Verdú
  • 11 Moreno Fuertes
  • 13 Sara
  • 17 Pérez López
  • 23 Pérez Santamaría
  • 36 Caro Martínez

Real Madrid

  • 25 López
  • 15 Carvajal
  • 12 Marcelo
  • 14 Alonso
  • 03 Pepe
  • 04 Ramos Booked (Nacho - 73' )
  • 19 Modric
  • 22 Di María (Illarramendi - 69' )
  • 09 Benzema (Morata - 77' )
  • 11 Bale
  • 07 Ronaldo

Substitutes

  • 01 Casillas
  • 17 Arbeloa
  • 18 Nacho
  • 20 Jesé
  • 21 Morata
  • 23 Isco
  • 24 Illarramendi
Ref: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva
Att: 48,500

MATCH STATS

Possession63%37%90minsReal BetisReal Madrid

Shots

721

On target

111

Corners

07

Fouls

1813

Live Text Commentary

Full time
Full TimeMatch ends, Real Betis 0, Real Madrid 5.
90:00+1:50Full time
Full TimeSecond Half ends, Real Betis 0, Real Madrid 5.
90:00+1:43
Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marcelo with a through ball.
90:00+1:01
Offside, Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo tries a through ball, but Daniel Carvajal is caught offside.
89:14Goal scored
Goal!Goal! Real Betis 0, Real Madrid 5. Álvaro Morata (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo.
89:12
Attempt missed. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcelo with a cross.
86:48
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Juanfran.
85:44
Attempt missed. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Álvaro Morata.
85:17
Attempt blocked. Juanfran (Real Betis) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Javier Matilla.
84:35
Attempt missed. Jorge Molina (Real Betis) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Leo Baptistao with a cross.
83:55
Attempt missed. Marcelo (Real Madrid) left footed shot from long range on the left is close, but misses the top right corner.
83:11
Asier Illarramendi (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83:11
Foul by Leo Baptistao (Real Betis).
82:58
Foul by Luka Modric (Real Madrid).
82:58
Juanfran (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:33
Offside, Real Madrid. Marcelo tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside.
80:43
Attempt saved. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo.
79:01
Attempt missed. Paulao (Real Betis) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Juanfran with a cross.
78:44
Foul by Álvaro Morata (Real Madrid).
78:44
Paulao (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the attacking half.