Real Madrid leapfrogged Barcelona into second place in Spanish La Liga with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Almeria after their arch-rivals slumped to a stunning 1-0 defeat by Granada. Barcelona's stumble ensured the same Atletico Madrid that ousted them from Europe's top-tier competition would maintain the league lead with five more rounds to go, as they were level on points with Madrid but ahead on goal difference before it visited Getafe on Sunday. Madrid didn't miss injured star Cristiano Ronaldo as they bounced back from their poor performance at Borussia Dortmund with a dominant victory. Angel Di Maria, Gareth Bale, Isco Alarcon and Alvaro Morata scored at the Santiago Bernabeu to keep Almeria in the relegation zone. Di Maria hit the crossbar to set the tone early and followed up in the 28th by curling in Madrid's opener. Madrid toyed with Almeria until Bale scored his 14th league goal of the season from Karim Benzema's pass in the 53rd, with Isco hitting three minutes later. Morata went on to score five minutes from time. "We knew that the league would have more twists," Di Maria said. "We were behind (Barcelona) and then we were ahead, we fell behind again and now we are back in front. We know that we have to treat each remaining game as if it were the last." (For more sports news and updates,followAhramOnline Sportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/98906.aspx
