Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo hit a hat-trick as they thumped Espanyol 4-1.

Real's win was rendered meaningless by Barcelona's victory at Atletico Madrid which saw the Catalan club crowned champions with one game of the season to go.

Coming at the end of a week in which Madrid crashed out of the Champions League, watching their bitter rivals was another bitter, if unsurprising, blow.

Ronaldo did his bit, three more goals taking his league tally for the season to 45, but the task was out of their hands.

Christian Stuani briefly levelled for Espanyol following some awful Madrid defending, while Marcelo was also on target for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Ancelotti said: "The team reacted well and had a very good attitude. It was not easy to motivate the players after Wednesday and I am grateful. Now we have to prepare professionally for the last game right up until the last minute. We have to keep our heads held high, although the team has not won, they have battled."