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Champions Real rub it in with rout of Barca

08/05/2008

Newly-crowned Primera Liga champions Real Madrid have beaten bitter rivals Barcelona 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Goals from Raul, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuan and Ruud van Nistelrooy gave the home supporters bragging rights in the El Clasico derby.

And their spirits were hardly dampened when Thierry Henry netted a late consolation for Barca, who also had Xavi sent off in injury time for a second bookable offence.

The defeat, which leaves huge question marks over the future of head coach Frank Rijkaard, means Barca cannot finish in the top two in Spain.

The result is that the Catalan side must qualify for the Champions League, despite reaching this year's semi-final before losing to Manchester United over two legs.

Real and second-placed Villarreal will be entered in the draw for the group stages automatically.

Villarreal beat Recreativo Huelva earlier on Wednesday to extend their advantage over the Catalan side to seven points with just two league fixtures remaining.