Real crushes Atletico to restore four-point lead
Source: Agencies |
April 13, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CRISTIANO Ronaldo matched his own Spanish league record of 40 goals in a season by netting a hat trick that included two spectacular long-range strikes as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 on Wednesday to restore its four-point lead over Barcelona atop the standings.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 25th minute by bending a stunning free kick from 40 meters out of the reach of Atletico goalie Thibaut Courtois before Radamel Falcao equalized with his 21st goal of the season a half hour later.
But Ronaldo used another dipping shot - this time from outside the left edge of the area - in the 68th for his second, then added a late penalty to take his season tally to 52 goals in all competitions.
Jose Callejon also scored late for Real, which hasn't lost a city derby since 1999 and is only three goals away from matching its 22-year-old league record of 107 in a season.
Most importantly, Real regained its four-point lead over three-time defending champion Barcelona, with the pair set to meet in 10 days after one more league round.
Ronaldo's 16th career hat trick marked a tremendous night at the Vicente Calderon for the 27-year-old Portugal forward, who became the first player to score 40 league goals in consecutive seasons in Europe's top leagues.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi trails Ronaldo's league tally by one, but has netted 61 goals overall this season and became the first player to score 20 away goals in a Spanish league campaign.
Earlier, Europa League favorite Athletic Bilbao rallied to draw 2-2 at 10-man Granada; and Valencia beat Rayo Vallecano 4-1 to provisionally move ahead of Malaga into third.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 25th minute by bending a stunning free kick from 40 meters out of the reach of Atletico goalie Thibaut Courtois before Radamel Falcao equalized with his 21st goal of the season a half hour later.
But Ronaldo used another dipping shot - this time from outside the left edge of the area - in the 68th for his second, then added a late penalty to take his season tally to 52 goals in all competitions.
Jose Callejon also scored late for Real, which hasn't lost a city derby since 1999 and is only three goals away from matching its 22-year-old league record of 107 in a season.
Most importantly, Real regained its four-point lead over three-time defending champion Barcelona, with the pair set to meet in 10 days after one more league round.
Ronaldo's 16th career hat trick marked a tremendous night at the Vicente Calderon for the 27-year-old Portugal forward, who became the first player to score 40 league goals in consecutive seasons in Europe's top leagues.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi trails Ronaldo's league tally by one, but has netted 61 goals overall this season and became the first player to score 20 away goals in a Spanish league campaign.
Earlier, Europa League favorite Athletic Bilbao rallied to draw 2-2 at 10-man Granada; and Valencia beat Rayo Vallecano 4-1 to provisionally move ahead of Malaga into third.
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