Ronaldo was unable to inspire his team to a victory over struggling Depor
meaning Barca extended their advantage at the top.
Barcelona won 3-0 away to Mallorca to reopen a seven-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Liga table.
While Barcelona were once again at their best, Madrid missed a series of chances, hitting the woodwork twice and seeing Karim Benzema miss a straightforward opportunity from five yards out as they drew 0-0 away to Deportivo la Coruna.
Barcelona kicked off before Real Madrid, and there was a real prospect that Pep Guardiola's side could drop points away to a Mallorca side that has proven tough to beat all season in front of their home fans.
However, after weathering a difficult 35 minutes, Barca took the lead thanks to Leo Messi's 26th league goal of the season on 38 minutes. Messi nodded home a smart chipped pass from Seydou Keita.
The game was beyond doubt when David Villa made it 2-0 after being put through by Sergio Busquets on 57 minutes and Pedro Rodriguez took advantage of a tiring Mallorca side to fire home the third with just under 25 minutes remaining.
It was a professional display from a side missing several first team regulars.
Madrid meanwhile were never in danger of losing away to a Deportivo side that had just two shots all game, but wastefulness in front of goal cost Jose Mourinho's men dearly with Karim Benzema the main culprit.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw and in recent weeks Madrid have dropped points to struggling sides Almeria, Osasuna and now Deportivo.
Espanyol recovered after four straight defeats to beat Real Sociedad 4-1. Sociedad defender Dani Estrada scored both goals to make it 1-1 at the break, but Espanyol ran away with the game in the second half to move back into fifth place thanks to goals from Sergio Garcia, Jose Callejon and Javi Marquez.
Atletico Madrid and Sevilla produced a thrilling 2-2 draw which helped neither side in their battle to qualify for Europe. Alvaro Negredo put Sevilla ahead in the first half only for Aguero to level before half-time.
In the second half, recent arrival Ivan Rakitic restored Sevilla's lead with 65 minutes gone only for former Sevilla prodigy Jose Antonio Reyes to again level the score with 15 minutes left to play. Neither side found a winner in a frantic last quarter of an hour.
Finally, struggling Sporting Gijon and Zaragoza played out a 0-0 draw that keeps them both near the relegation zone.
