On The Continent: Champions Madrid Crush Barcelona

Real Madrid celebrated winning the Spanish league title by humiliating Barcelona in the El Clasico derby.

Raul struck from 18 yards, a completely unmarked Arjen Robben headed home the second and substitute Gonzalo Higuan scored the third with a deft finish.

Ruud van Nistelrooy then scored a penalty after Barca skipper Carles Puyol handled in the box.

Iker Casillas denied Lionel Messi but Thierry Henry scored from 20 yards late on while Xavi saw red in injury time.

It was a miserable night from start to finish for Barca and their beleaguered coach Frank Rijkaard.

Villarreal defeated Recreativo Huelva earlier on Wednesday to extend their lead over Barca to seven points in the race for second place.

And before the match started at the Bernabeu, Barcelona, in compliance with Spanish tradition, formed a guard of honour and magnanimously clapped their traditional rivals on to the pitch.

Real had clinched the league title with their 2-1 win at Osasuna on Sunday and, when the match started, they played with the confidence and assuredness of champions.

The home team dominated the early possession and took a deserved lead through Raul, even if there was the suspicion of a foul in the build up.

Guti appeared to clip Rafael Marquez as the Barca defender attempted to clear the ball and a second later Raul had smashed the ball in off the post with a superb left-footed strike.

Victor Valdes failed to hold a dipping strike from Gago and just managed to collect the ball at the second attempt with Raul lurking.

The goalkeeper's uncertainty was typical of his team's performance and it was no surprise when Robben headed home a Guti free-kick at the near post after being allowed to roam completely unmarked in the Barca penalty box.