Newly-crowned champions Real Madrid enjoyed a title party to remember at the Bernabeu on Wednesday as they crushed arch-rivals Barcelona in a hugely one-sided El Clasico.

Goals from Raul and Arjen Robben sent Bernd Schuster's men on their way to victory, before substitutes Gonzalo Higuain and Ruud van Nistelrooy completed the rout against a Barca side who managed a late consolation through Thierry Henry, but little else.

After Barca's players had formed the traditional guard of honour to welcome the champions onto the pitch, it was down to business with the Catalan giants determined to ensure that initial tribute was the only deference their arch-rivals would be getting.

If that was Barca's plan though, it was soon ripped to pieces by a dominant Madrid.

Robben signalled Madrid's intent in the first minute with a shot straight at Victor Valdes before the home side's next chance produced the game's opening goal, with Raul netting after 13 minutes.

A promising Madrid move looked to have broken down on the edge of the Barca area, but Raul showed predatory instincts to latch onto the loose ball and curl a shot in off the inside of Valdes' right-hand post.

That was just the start Madrid would have been hoping for and exactly what Barca, who were without the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Andres Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Gabriel Milito and Deco through a mixture of suspension and injury, would have been desperate to avoid.

And worse was to follow for Frank Rijkaard's men as Madrid doubled their lead seven minutes later through Robben.

Just days after the Dutchman had headed home a crucial late equaliser that helped Madrid clinch the title at Osasuna on Sunday, Robben repeated the feat by getting his head to Guti's superb free-kick and diverting the ball past the helpless Valdes.

Shell-shocked Barca tried to amount an immediate response but Bojan Krkic and Henry both failed to hit the target from good positions, much to the delight of the home fans.

It was all Madrid at the start and Rijkaard tried to force a tide change by replacing Eidur Gudjohnsen with Giovani dos Santos after only 23 minutes, with the Icelander not appearing to be injured.

That switch proved only cosmetic though as rampant Real continued to dominate in the pouring rain, with Valdes needing to pull out top-drawer saves to deny Guti and Robben before the latter blazed another good chance over.

Barca president Joan Laporta had revealed earlier in the day that he had bet a friend his side would win 5-0, but at half-time it was looking like the team in white who would be celebrating such a scoreline.

The direction of the game could have been changed right at the start of the second half when Bojan looked set to head home from close range, but that effort was deflected behind for a corner and Madrid never looked back.

Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, a player with no league goals this season, had three efforts in quick succession, with one cleared off the line, one saved by Valdes and one well wide.

Diarra then turned creator to set up Madrid's third goal from Higuain, Madrid's match and title-winner from Sunday who had only just replaced Robben.

Diarra powered his way down the right far too easily before laying the ball off to Higuain, who showed tremendous composure to slot home past Valdes.

After that it was damage limitation for beaten Barca, but although Valdes did superbly to keep out Marcelo's blockbuster the visiting keeper had no chance as Van Nistelrooy made it 4-0 from the penalty spot with 13 minutes to go.

It was a controversial decision to award the penalty, with Robinho's cross-shot striking Carles Puyol, but Van Nistelrooy made no mistake with only his second touch since replacing Raul moments previously.

That goal sent the Bernabeu into delirium, but one of the biggest cheers of the night was reserved for goalkeeper Iker Casillas soon after as he brilliantly tipped Lionel Messi's curling shot behind.

Messi had two further efforts for Barca in the closing stages, before he sent Henry through on goal and the Frenchman slotted home a precision finish to complete the scoring.

A bad night for Barca was still to get worse though as midfielder Xavi was sent-off in injury-time, capping a miserable evening all round for the visitors.