A sweeping victory holds the Royal to the top of the league

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid snatched the top spot in the Primera Liga with a 4-0 win at Ibar on Saturday in the 13th round of the competition.

French striker Karim Benzema took the lead and scored the first and third goals for Real (17 and 29 from the penalty spot) and Sergio Ramos ensured the second goal (20 from the penalty spot) and Federico Valverde scored the fourth goal (61).

The win lifted the Royal to 25 points in the lead, two points behind runners-up Real Sociedad and three points from third-placed Barcelona, ​​who meet later today at home to Celta Vigo.

Eibar had 15 points in 15th place.

Elsewhere, Deportivo Alaves beat Valladolid 3-0 and Valencia beat Granada 2-0.