Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates in front of Marcelo (L) and Javier Hernandez “Chicharito” after scoring against Sevilla during their La Liga match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on Saturday.

AFP/Madrid

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick maintained Real Madrid’s La Liga title aspirations as they ended Sevilla’s 34-game unbeaten run at home with a 3-2 win on Saturday.
Victory kept the European champions just two points behind Barcelona with three games to play after Luis Suarez scored his first hat-trick for the Catalans in a 8-0 humiliation of relegated Cordoba.
“It was not easy to win here and we have managed it. We are very happy and we keep fighting,” said Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
“It is not by coincidence that they haven’t lost for 34 games at this stadium.”
The game swung massively in Madrid’s favour in the space of two first-half minutes whilst Sevilla were down to 10 men as Grzegorz Krychowiak was off the field receiving treatment for a facial injury.
Ronaldo headed home expertly from Isco’s cross and then prodded in from Javier Hernandez’s flick-on moments later.
Sevilla were handed a route back into the game when Sergio Ramos upended Vidal inside the area in first-half stoppage time and Carlos Bacca converted from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo looked to have sealed the three points with a stunning header from Gareth Bale’s cross midway through the second-half.
However, Vicente Iborra reduced the deficit once more from as he swept home Vidal’s cross to set up a grandstand finish.
And Madrid’s hearts were in their mouths five minutes from time when Barcelona loanee Denis Suarez’s trickled an attempt inches past the post.
Ronaldo’s 29th Madrid hat-trick took him onto 42 La Liga goals for the campaign, two ahead of Lionel Messi who netted twice as Barca condemned Cordoba to relegation in embarrassing fashion.
Cordoba, who haven’t won since January, held out for 42 minutes, but a four-goal blitz in 11 minutes either side of half-time ended their return to the top flight after just one season.
Meanwhile,  Valencia moved up to within four points of Atletico Madrid Sunday, with a 3-1 home defeat of troubled Eibar.
Nicolas Otamendi gave Valencia the lead in the 25th minute by heading in a centre from Jose Gaya, then captain Dani Parejo made it 2-0 with a shot which took a wicked deflection.
Spain striker Paco Alcacer added a third goal in the 71st minute after the Eibar defence had failed to clear a free kick from the impressive Parejo.
Mikel Arruabarrena put away a late consolation goal for Eibar, who have not won for 17 games and are now fifth bottom.
Valencia, in contrast, are fourth - three points above Sevilla - and just four below Atletico, in what promises to be a fascinating battle for third place and direct entry into the Champions League.
Earlier yesterday, Granada improved their chances of avoiding relegation with a 2-1 win at mid-table Getafe, on a brace from Youssef El Arabi.
El Arabi gave Granada the lead by converting an early penalty, only for Pedro Leon to equalize for Getafe. But El Arabi got the winner on the hour by heading in a centre from Piti.
It was a good debut on the bench for Jose Sandoval, who took over Tuesday from the sacked Abel Resino.
“If we win our last three games then we will survive, it’s as simple as that,” Sandoval said.
“I have told El Arabi just how important he is for us. Without more goals from him, we will struggle to win our final matches.”  Granada remained second bottom but are now just two points behind Deportivo La Coruna and three below Almeria, who receive Celta Vigo today.
Yesterday’s lunchtime match was a tame 1-1 draw between mid-table sides Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano. Emiliano Insua gave Rayo an early lead, Hector Moreno hit a late equalizer for Espanyol.
Malaga were to host Elche in the late game.