Ronaldo's double keeps Real in touch

(GETTY IMAGES)

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to lead Real Madrid to a 4-1 home win over Real Sociedad last night which trimmed Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. Kaka and Emmanuel Adebayor also scored as Real bounced back from last weekend's shock defeat at Osasuna to stay in touch with the champions.

Lionel Messi said that he is more concerned with his team's achievements than individual success after the Barcelona forward scored a hat-trick to beat Atletico Madrid 3-0 on Saturday. The Catalan side made history with the win, securing a 16th successive La Liga victory to beat the previous record of 15 set by Real Madrid in 1961.

"I am not thinking about being league top scorer at all," Messi, who tops the league's goal tally with 24, said. "The important thing is we continue this winning run."

Elsewhere in Spain, Valmiro Valdo's 48th-minute goal gave Levante a 1-0 win over third-place Villarreal. In Italy, Serie A leaders Milan were held 1-1 by Genoa and Napoli, who are second in the table, beat Cesena 2-0.