Real Madrid racked up a truly incredible scoreline over a Real Valladolid side that simply collapsed in the face of pressure.
Both coaches would have been mindful of that draw at the Pucela's own patch earlier in the season, with Bernd Schuster eager not to endure a repeat.
And with that 2-0 loss at Almeria sitll weighing on his mind, he set his side out to kill this game off early.
Having almost gifted a chance to Llorente at the other end, they were nonetheless en route to doing so after just seven minutes.
Julio Baptista finished off a tremendous passing move that went from Sergio Ramos to Robinho, who in turn found Robben on the break. The Beast was able to barrel home on the run, and Madrid were 1-0 up.
Robinho went down just a few minutes later, with Drenthe coming on to run the left flank.
He and Robben - another import with something to prove - set about impressing, and their side kept up the pressure.
Valladolid, for their part, were able to pass the ball about well enough, but as soon as they reached the final third, they were met with an immediately mobile and spirited wall of opposition.
Madrid, meanwhile, had no such concerns, as half an hour in they were able to waltz forward and grab a second. Guti played a fine one-two with Raul, who in turn was able to dribble around Sergio Asenjo and tap the ball home.
Minutes later, it was 3-0, with Arjen Robben perhaps only just onside from Guti's masterful through ball, with Asenjo being dummied the wrong way as the ball sailed past him.
Madrid were now free of pressure, and it began to show in their passing play, which was growing ever more direct and attractive.
This culminated in their spending a lot of time in the box, and thus winning a penalty five minutes before the break.
Sergio Asenjo - who had been so impressive in recent weeks - showed his inexperience by giving away a penalty needlessly after coming off his line to challenge Baptista.
Raul, the old master, punished the tyro with a fine spot-kick, and Sergio was left to pick the ball out of the net for a fourth time.
And then it was five. Royston Drenthe silenced his doubters with a brilliant pass to Guti, the provider turned finisher, who in turn fired home.
No doubt the Madrid faithful in the Bernabeu stands would have passed half time by placing wagers on how many their heroes would rack up in the second period, but in fact it didn't quite work out that way.
Madrid, no doubt under orders to conserve their energy, started the second period slowly, although Guti and Robben almost carved out a fine chance five minutes in.
But the best opportunity came at the other end, where Oscar's rather innocuous shot saw Casillas merely palm it to Llorente. Thankfully for the injured 'keeper, Ramos and Cannavaro were able to clear off the line.
Diarra came on for Sergio Ramos as coach Schuster protected one of his star assets, but far from struggling with a loss of shape, Madrid, in fact, made it six.
Guti took his personal tally to two after Arjen Robben's sly cut-back to the edge of the box. The finish was unorthodox, cracking off both posts before settling over the line.
Valladolid took off Sisi as it became increasingly clear that it was game over, while Soldado came on for the hosts, who wanted yet more goals.
They duly got one, and it was a well-taken strike from Royston Drenthe. Guti set him up for the near-post finish after a move that, while Route One, was still easy on the eye.
Valladolid somehow found the will go on, with Oscar Sanchez firing a free-kick well over, and then Borja drilling a shot just wide as Madrid relaxed.
Indeed, seven goals saw them sated, and Valladolid humiliated. The gap's up to eight points - can Barcelona challenge now?
Both coaches would have been mindful of that draw at the Pucela's own patch earlier in the season, with Bernd Schuster eager not to endure a repeat.
And with that 2-0 loss at Almeria sitll weighing on his mind, he set his side out to kill this game off early.
Having almost gifted a chance to Llorente at the other end, they were nonetheless en route to doing so after just seven minutes.
Julio Baptista finished off a tremendous passing move that went from Sergio Ramos to Robinho, who in turn found Robben on the break. The Beast was able to barrel home on the run, and Madrid were 1-0 up.
Robinho went down just a few minutes later, with Drenthe coming on to run the left flank.
He and Robben - another import with something to prove - set about impressing, and their side kept up the pressure.
Valladolid, for their part, were able to pass the ball about well enough, but as soon as they reached the final third, they were met with an immediately mobile and spirited wall of opposition.
Madrid, meanwhile, had no such concerns, as half an hour in they were able to waltz forward and grab a second. Guti played a fine one-two with Raul, who in turn was able to dribble around Sergio Asenjo and tap the ball home.
Minutes later, it was 3-0, with Arjen Robben perhaps only just onside from Guti's masterful through ball, with Asenjo being dummied the wrong way as the ball sailed past him.
Madrid were now free of pressure, and it began to show in their passing play, which was growing ever more direct and attractive.
This culminated in their spending a lot of time in the box, and thus winning a penalty five minutes before the break.
Sergio Asenjo - who had been so impressive in recent weeks - showed his inexperience by giving away a penalty needlessly after coming off his line to challenge Baptista.
Raul, the old master, punished the tyro with a fine spot-kick, and Sergio was left to pick the ball out of the net for a fourth time.
And then it was five. Royston Drenthe silenced his doubters with a brilliant pass to Guti, the provider turned finisher, who in turn fired home.
No doubt the Madrid faithful in the Bernabeu stands would have passed half time by placing wagers on how many their heroes would rack up in the second period, but in fact it didn't quite work out that way.
Madrid, no doubt under orders to conserve their energy, started the second period slowly, although Guti and Robben almost carved out a fine chance five minutes in.
But the best opportunity came at the other end, where Oscar's rather innocuous shot saw Casillas merely palm it to Llorente. Thankfully for the injured 'keeper, Ramos and Cannavaro were able to clear off the line.
Diarra came on for Sergio Ramos as coach Schuster protected one of his star assets, but far from struggling with a loss of shape, Madrid, in fact, made it six.
Guti took his personal tally to two after Arjen Robben's sly cut-back to the edge of the box. The finish was unorthodox, cracking off both posts before settling over the line.
Valladolid took off Sisi as it became increasingly clear that it was game over, while Soldado came on for the hosts, who wanted yet more goals.
They duly got one, and it was a well-taken strike from Royston Drenthe. Guti set him up for the near-post finish after a move that, while Route One, was still easy on the eye.
Valladolid somehow found the will go on, with Oscar Sanchez firing a free-kick well over, and then Borja drilling a shot just wide as Madrid relaxed.
Indeed, seven goals saw them sated, and Valladolid humiliated. The gap's up to eight points - can Barcelona challenge now?
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