( CNN ) -- Cristiano Ronaldo beat his own La Liga scoring record on Saturday as Real Madrid maintained a four-point advantage over rivals Barcelona with a 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon . The Portugal international 's header in the 74th minute took his tally of goals to 41 this season -- a mark equaled later in the night by Lionel Messi as Barcelona beat Levante 2-1 . Ronaldo 's record-breaking goal was a vital one , putting Madrid ahead for the first time in the game after Miguel De Las Cuevas had given Gijon the lead from the penalty spot in the 30th minute . Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain pulled one back before halftime but Ronaldo 's effort guided a lackluster Madrid towards three vital points . Five minutes later Gijon defender Roberto Canella was dismissed by the referee for a second bookable offense which paved the way for France forward Karim Benzema to add a third in the 82nd minute . The loss left Sporting struggling down in 19th place on 28 points three points ahead of bottom-side Racing Santander ( who travel to Villarreal on Sunday ) and level on points with Real Zaragoza who host Granada , also on Sunday . Barcelona also had to come from behind in their match at Levante after Jose Barkero gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute . Barcelona passed and probed without much joy until the 63rd minute when , inevitably , Lionel Messi put his side back on level terms with a curling effort from the edge of the box . Six minutes later they were awarded a controversial penalty when the linesman flagged for a challenge on Isaac Cuenca by Pedro Botelho after the referee had waved play on . A gaggle of furious Levante players protested to the officials in vain before Messi stepped up to put an unstoppable spot kick past goalkeeper Gustavo Munua . The Argentine 's two goals took his tally in all competitions this season to an incredible 63 . With five league games left , Madrid have 85 points to Barcelona 's 81 .
Cristiano Ronaldo takes league tally to 3 goals as Levante win 2 -1 win Sporting Gijon . Lionel Messi joins him on same number with 41 goals for Barcelona in 41 -1 win at Levante . Real Madrid stay four points clear of champions Barca in the La Liga title race .