Malaga missed the chance to join Andalusian neighbours Real Betis at the top of La Liga [ Images ] when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy [ Images ], the former Manchester United [ Images ] and Real Madrid [ Images ] striker who joined the ambitious Qatar-owned club in the close season, had Malaga's best chance early in the first half but was denied by goalkeeper Roberto.

The south-coast side have 10 points from five matches, level with Real Madrid and Valencia and one behind champions Barcelona [ Images ], Levante and Sevilla.

Promoted Betis, the surprise early pace-setters, can stretch their lead at the top to four points when they play at Getafe on Monday.

Unbeaten Levante, who stunned Real Madrid 1-0 at their Estadi Ciutat de Valencia earlier this month, won 3-1 earlier on Sunday at home to Espanyol, who had two players sent off in the second half.

Real Mallorca [ Images ] fought back to beat visiting Real Sociedad 2-1, promoted Granada drew 1-1 with Osasuna and Sporting Gijon drew 0-0 at home to Racing Santander.

Lionel Messi [ Images ] and Cristiano Ronaldo [ Images ] netted trebles as Messi's Barcelona and Ronaldo's Real Madrid returned to winning ways in style on Saturday.

Real had a scare at their Bernabeu [ Images ] stadium when city neighbours Rayo Vallecano took a shock lead with a goal timed by local television at 12 seconds.

However, Ronaldo's hat-trick, which included two penalties, and strikes from Gonzalo Higuain [ Images ], substitute Karim Benzema and teenage defender Raphael Varane gave Jose Mourinho's side a resounding 6-2 victory.

Barca then thrashed Atletico Madrid 5-0 at the Nou Camp, with World Player of the Year Messi's typically brilliant treble coming after David Villa [ Images ] had opened the scoring and Atletico defender Joao Miranda had diverted the ball into his own net.