Atletico Madrid 0-3 Real Madrid: Ronaldo hat-trick seals derby stroll at the Vicente Calderon - 5 things we learned

The Portuguese superstar led the way as Real eased to a 3-0 win in the last ever La Liga derby at the Vicente Calderon

Another Madrid derby and more heartbreak for Atletico as Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick ensured Real claimed the spoils in the last ever La Liga clash between the Spanish capital's giants at the Vicente Calderon.

In the first meeting of the sides since Real edged the Champions League final on penalties in May, luck shone on Los Blancos once more as Ronaldo's first-half free-kick took a wicked deflection off the Atletico wall to leave the excellent Jan Oblak stranded.

Oblak had kept Atletico in the game with brilliant saves from Ronaldo and Isco.

The hosts briefly threatened through Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann at the start of the second-half.

Yet, Ronaldo put the game to bed from the penalty spot 19 minutes from time after he had been hauled down inside the area by Stefan Savic.

Ronaldo then sealed his hat-trick with a tap in thanks to a wonderful run and cross by Gareth Bale left the Portuguese with the simplest of tasks.

Here's what we learned.

1. Real take firm control of the title race

A day which many expected to see Barcelona usurp Real at the top of the table instead saw Zinedine Zidane's men extend their lead into a now commanding four points over the Catalans.

Barca's inability to break down nine-man Malaga earlier in the day ensured Real would remain on top no matter the outcome at the Calderon, but they laid down a marker with arguably the most impressive result of a now 29-game unbeaten run.

Moreover, they almost certainly knocked Atletico out of the title running in the process with the red and white side of the Spanish capital now nine points adrift after a third defeat in four La Liga games.

2. Atletico fail to give Calderon fitting derby farewell

The Calderon always creates a special atmosphere for the big occasion, but this was bigger than most for Real's last league visit to the banks to Madrid's Manzanares river and the memories of a second Champions League final defeat in three years fresh in the memory.

Yet, the atmosphere reached fever pitch at kick-off and slowly descended into one of frustration as Atletico chased shadows for the opening 45 minutes.

The home masses were roused at the start of the second period as Atletico reacted and finally began to threaten, but a first La Liga defeat to Real in four seasons was not a fitting finale after 50 years at the Calderon.

3. Oblak lays claim to be world's best

Often overlooked amongst the likes of Gigi Buffon, Manuel Neuer and David De Gea, Oblak's record of clean sheets over the past two years is the envy of the entire continent.

Indeed the only time the Slovenian has rightly been criticised in that run was for his bizarre decision not to dive for a series of Madrid's penalties in the Champions League final shootout between the pair in May.

Ronaldo had scored just once in seven previous meetings with Oblak and was somehow denied once more by a sensational low save to his left early on.

Even when Ronaldo did break a run of 33 shots from open play without beating the Atletico stopper, he needed the help of a deflection to do so.

More Oblak heroics to turn Isco's low effort onto the post kept Atletico in the game, but there was nothing he could do when just like in Milan five months ago Ronaldo blasted home from the penalty spot and then completed his hat-trick with a simple finish.

4. Injuries force Real change for good

Without the injured Alvaro Morata and not full-fit Karim Benzema, Zidane was forced into a change of system that resulted in a far better balanced Madrid turning in their best collective first-half display all season.

Ronaldo was free to play in what is clearly now his best position as a central striker, whilst Bale played on his more naturally suited left side and the tireless Lucas Vazquez offered more defensive cover on the right.

The real star of the Real show, though, was Isco in the number 10 role he has craved for four seasons since moving from Malaga, but doesn't fit into Real's habitual 4-3-3.

5. Atletico defence starts to crack

For the first time in Diego Simeone's reign as boss, Atletico have now conceded in five consecutive La Liga matches.

Atletico captain Gabi was reprimanded by Simeone for admitting in midweek that by moving Koke in central midfield, Los Rojiblancos have sacrificed their solidity for more creativity in the final third.

Yet, the evidence clearly shows that a side that was a clean sheet machine, especially at home in recent seasons, is showing signs of defensive fragility.