Cristiano Ronaldo scores in Real Madrid 4-1 Athletic Bilbao game
Portuguese international Ronaldo scored two goals to help Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium this Sunday on the 19th round of the Spanish league.
José Mourinho made a couple of changes to his team after their loss in the Copa del Rey Clasico last Wednesday, with Granero and Varane being given a chance in the starting line-up in the absence of Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho.
The Basque team who has been playing good football lately, opened the scoring with a goal by Fernando Llorente after a lovely centre by Javi Martinez from the right, with just 13 minutes of play.
Ahletic Bilbao continued their good showing and had another excellent chance to score when Iker Muniain found some space on the edge of the area, passed to De Marcos, who missed a close-range shot a little wide of the nets.
Marcelo equalized for Real Madrid in the 25th minute after a nice exchange between him Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, leaving the Brazilian in front of keeper Iraizoz who was unable to save the curling shot.
Both teams went into the interval tied but the second saw Real Madrid take control of the game and after just 30 seconds they were awarded a penalty after midfielder Kaká was bought down in the area after getting a great pass from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal international scored from the spot to put the Merengues up 2-1.
Real Madrid added another goal on the 66th minute after Mezut Ozil was fouled in the area by De Marcos who also got his marching orders with a red card. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his second of the night and Los Blancos were 3-1 up.
Young striker Callejon, sealed the result for Real on the 85th minute, after receiving a pass from Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain who had replaced Banzema 10 minutes earlier.
With this win, Los Blancos remain five points clear of Barcelona, who traveled to Malaga and beat the local team by the same score of 4-1, with Lionel Messi stealing the show by scoring a hat-trick for the Catalans.
