MADRID, May 7 (SW) - Three days after securing the Spanish championship for the second time in a row, Real Madrid crushed arch rivals FC Barcelona 4-1 at Bernabeu.

Barcelona needed to win to keep a small chance of finishing the season in second place.

But Real captain Raúl opened the score after a Guti assist in the 13th minute, and seven minutes later Arjen Robben scored with the head for the second time this week, after never having done so before.

Gonzalo Higuaín, who scored the winning goal last Sunday, netted Madrid's third just a few minutes after having replaced Robben in the second half.

And in the 78th minute, Madrid were handed a somewhat controversial spotkick with Carles Puyol handling the ball. Ruud van Nistelrooy, another substitute, converted for 4-0.

In the final phase, Barcelona did something back through French striker Thierry Henry, 4-1. Other Catalan attempts were well saved by Casillas.

Barcelona's misery was made even more obvious when Xavi conceded a red card in injury time.

Villarreal are now certain of finishing in second place in La Liga and will be playing in the Champions League next season.