Spanish champions Real Madrid compounded Valencia's misery with a 5-1 thrashing on Wednesday. The title holders handed Valencia their third successive defeat in a span of one week thanks to a 2nd minute strike from skipper Raul, a brace from Dutch international Ruud van Nistelrooy and goals from Sergio Ramos and Robinho. The victory extended Real Madrid's lead on top of the Liga table to 25 points while Valencia dropped to fifth on 18 points. Real came on with all guns blazing and opened the score through Raul who struck home from the edge of the area. Raul turned provider in the 25th minute as he headed the ball to Van Nistelrooy who fended off a defender before chipping the ball over stranded goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand. Valencia, who had coach Quique Sanchez Flores sacked after Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Sevilla, looked to have completely lost the game when Ramos fired home from an angle on the half hour.
Angulo scored Valencia's only goal Van Nistelrooy made it four when he connected with a Robinho cross in the 37th minute. Miguel Angel Angulo scored a consolation goal for Valencia just before the hour before Robinho completed the rout for Real Madrid with a fierce shot that left Hildebrand helpless. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid edged past Sevilla with a 4-3 victory in an exhilarating game. Nuno Oliveira's 2nd minute opener was canceled out by Luis Fabiano in the 14th minute. Three minutes later Sergio Aguero regained the lead for Atletico before Jose Ze Castro scored an own goal that put the teams at level again. Maxi Rodriguez grabbed the lead once again in the 70th minute and Jurado sealed the win in the 90th minute before Fabiano pulled one back. In other matches, Villarreal crushed Levante 3-0, Real Zaragoza edged Almeria 1-0, Recreativo held Racing to a goalless draw, Getafe beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0, Real Betis lost at home to Osasuna 3-0 and Deportivo drew with Mallorca 1-1.
