Real Madrid are back to eight points behind Barcelona after a 0-2 win over Rayo Vallecano, the match having been postponed for 24 hours after the lighting system at Rayo was sabotaged.
Benzema opened the scoring in the 13th minute and Ronaldo added a second from the penalty spot second half.
Sevilla are joint third in La Liga after a 0-2 win at Deportivo, Negredo and Rakitic scoring in the latter stages of the second half.