Real Madrid hit a stunning ten goals past Rayo Vallecano as they won 10-2 on Sunday night.

Gareth Bale helped himself to four goals as Real Madrid hammered nine-man Rayo Vallecano 10-2 to help ease the pressure on boss Rafael Benitez at the Bernabeu.

The hosts trailed 2-1 against a side sitting in the relegation zone but Roman Triguero and Raul Baena were both dismissed for Rayo in the opening 30 minutes, swinging the contest firmly in Real's direction.

As well as Bale's four-goal haul, Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace and Danilo added one, but Real missed out on their record victory - which remains an 11-1 thrashing over Barcelona in the 1940s.

They did, however, move to within two points of Barca in the Primera Division table, with the Catalan outfit toasting their Club World Cup success earlier in the day in Japan.

Benitez said: “There were three phases in the match: the first, in which we scored and did what we knew we were capable of doing, and constantly looked to get in behind their defenders; the second, when we conceded two goals and needed to pay more attention in defence; and the third, when the team got into the game by making the most of the numerical advantage. From that point on we did what we needed to do, scored goals.

“Unlike the players I get to leave the dressing room a bit later and focus on the game. We started scoring and the supporters were happy. None of us want to make mistakes and when we overcome them we have to take advantage of the situation presented to us, and that's what we did today."