Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema scored in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Eibar as the champions tightened the Spanish league title race before their meeting with Liverpool in the Champions League.
Asensio had already hit the woodwork before he opened the scoring in the 41st minute and the in-form Benzema added a second goal with a header in the 73rd.
Madrid moved to within three points of leaders Atletico Madrid, who face a tough test at fourth-place Sevilla on Sunday.
Barcelona are four points back before they play Valladolid on Monday.
Madrid host Liverpool on Tuesday in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League and four days later will play Barcelona in the Clasico.
“We are facing an important week, and the first important thing was to win today,” said Asensio, after scoring a third goal in as many games.
“Now we have the first leg against Liverpool and then Barcelona. They will be very demanding matches and we have to be up to the challenge.”
Madrid dominated the game throughout.
Asensio bent a free kick against the crossbar before he scored the opener, using superb control to go past defender Anaitz Arbilla before curling a shot over Dmitrovic.
Benzema put the result beyond doubt when substitute Vinicius Junior crossed for him to score his 18th league goal of the season.
Elsewhere, Gerard Moreno scored a hat-trick in Villarreal’s 3-0 win at Granada, taking the Spain striker’s tally to 19 goals in the league this campaign.
Besides opening and closing the scoring from the penalty spot, Moreno doubled the lead in the 18th with a brilliant solo effort.
Moreno used the inside of his boot to knock a pass he received into open space, while spinning free of his marker, then chipped a shot over the goalkeeper from a tight angle.