Real tops Celta Vigo as Ronaldo dedicates his goals to Eusebio
Print Edition
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on Monday to help Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 3-0 to stay in touch with the top of the Spanish standings, and then dedicated his goals to the memory of Portuguese great Eusebio.
Ronaldo said his league-leading 19th and 20th goals of the season “were for Eusebio,” the former Benfica star who died on Sunday at the age of 71.
“He was very close to me and helped me a lot,” Ronaldo said of his countryman. “He is a mythic figure, and for me today is a very sad day.”
Real Madrid moved back to within five points of co-leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Before the match Ronaldo locked arms with his teammates on the center circle and turned his gaze upward during a minute of silence for Eusebio at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Hours before in Lisbon, tens of thousands of people turned out to pay tribute to the 1965 Ballon d’Or winner, who is considered among the best players of all time.
“I appreciate the acts of homage made here at the stadium and throughout Spain,” Ronaldo said. “It’s important to feel the sympathy from Spain and the rest of the world.”
Ronaldo moved one goal ahead of Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa as the Spanish league’s top scorer by finding the net in the 82nd minute and once again in stoppage time from a cross by substitute Gareth Bale, who just returned from a three-week injury layoff.
Celta’s attack, led by midfielder Rafina Alcantara, created the clearest chances of the match until Benzema broke through from close range in the 67th with his ninth goal in league play this campaign.
Also, Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche scored a hat trick and Jeremy Perbet added two more goals in a 5-2 win at Rayo Vallecano.
Villarreal had taken a 5-0 lead before Nery Castillo managed to pull a pair of goals back for Rayo.
Villarreal restored its hold on sixth place and the final Europa League spot, while Rayo was left in the drop zone after a fifth consecutive home defeat.
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