Ronaldo late brace seals Madrid comeback

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the last eight minutes for Real Madrid to rally for a 3-1 win over Hercules to stay top of the Spanish league on Saturday, while Barcelona romped to another home victory against Sevilla to keep pace.

Hercules went ahead after three minutes through a David Trezeguet header before Angel Di Maria volleyed past goalkeeper Juan Calatayud for a 53rd-minute equalizer.

Ronaldo latched onto a Karim Benzema rebound to put Madrid ahead at Jose Rico Perez Stadium before adding his league-leading 12th goal of the season four minutes later after converting substitute Benzema's 86th-minute pass. The Portugal forward nearly had a hat trick, but shot high in the closing stages.

"Psychologically it is good for us to come from behind, but the most important thing is to get the three points and stay first," Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said.

Madrid leads with 23 points from nine games, while Barcelona trails by only one point after Lionel Messi and David Villa scored twice each in a 5-0 win against Sevilla. Barcelona scored consecutive 4-0 wins over the Andalucian team in its last two visits to the Camp Nou.

"We would like the league to be more competitive, but it seems to be getting away with only Villarreal keeping up (with Madrid and Barcelona)," midfielder Sergio Busquets said.

The Spanish champion's win was never in doubt, and Messi confirmed Sevilla as his favorite team to play against with his first goal in the fourth minute, blasting a rebound that bounced off defender Antonio Luna and across the line.

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano missed on a crossing shot in the 10th before Barcelona poured it on as Villa snapped his more than month-long scoring drought by perfectly curling a left-foot shot inside the far post in the 24th.

Pedro Rodriguez caused problems for the Sevilla defense throughout and the visitors were left to play with 10 men when Abdoulay Konko was sent off for barging into Pedro as the first half expired.

Dani Alves added the third in the 52nd when midfielder Ndri Romaric headed the ball back to goalkeeper Javi Varas and the Barcelona right back darted in and tipped it over Varas into goal.

Messi scored his seventh goal of the season- second to only Ronaldo - and 10th career goal against Sevilla after he robbed the ball from Diego Capel near midfield, dribbled to the edge of the area and slotted the ball right by the post.

Villa took his season tally to four after gliding across the front of the area before beating Varas with a left-footed shot to close the match.

"This was one of our best games, against a difficult team like Sevilla (too)," Busquets added.