Ronaldo claims 200th Madrid goal in Malaga rout
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E-mail Xinhua, May 9, 2013
FC Barcelona will have to wait until at least Saturday night before they can celebrate their fourth BBVA Primera Liga title in five years after Real Madrid defeated a luckless Malaga 6-2 in the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
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Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal against Malaga. |
Both Real Madrid and Atletico played games that were originally scheduled for May 19 as a result of their appearance in the final of the Copa del Rey two days earlier.
Real Madrid went into their game this Wednesday knowing but a win would see Barca mathematically crowned league Champions given that the Catalans held an 11 point lead over Real with just 12 points left to play for.
The game kicked off with a host of empty seats in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but those fans present greeted Madrid coach Jose Mourinho with a chorus of boos, which only serves to once again confirm the messy divorce between the controversial coach and the club's supporters.
That didn't affect the players, however, and Raul Albiol put Real ahead with a head from a corner after just 2 minutes.
The lead didn't last long as Roque Santa Cruz made it 1-1 with a far post finish for the visitors after 15 minutes, although Cristiano Ronaldo had the chance to restore Madrid's lead five minutes later when Sergio Sanchez brought him down when bearing down on goal.
Sanchez was sent off, but Malaga keeper Willy Caballero saved Ronaldo's penalty with his feet to momentarily deny the forward his 200th goal for the club.
It was only a temporary delay as Madrid were given a very generous indirect free kick for a supposed backpass four minutes later and the striker was able to slide the ball home close to the post.
Mesut Ozil made it 3-1 just after the half hour and although Vitorinho Antunes scored a thumping shot to bring his side back into the game, Malaga were then forced to change keepers as Caballero was unable to continue as the result of an ankle problem.
Karim Benzema scored Madrid's fourth of the night on the stroke of halftime after a neat passing move left him with an open goal.
With Madrid up against a player less there was never going to be much of a contest and Luka Modric made it 5-2 with 63 minutes gone and Malaga were down to nine after 73 minutes after Martin Demichelis was shown a second yellow card for a supposed foul on Ronaldo, although TV replays showed he never touched the Real Madrid striker.
The game ended on a sour note for Madrid as Ozil was carried off on a stretcher after appearing to injure his ankle. The injury places his participation in the Cup final in doubt and took the shine off the final goal of the night which was scored by Angel de Maria who made it 6-2 with a left foot shot.
Earlier in the evening third placed Atletico Madrid assured they will finish at least third in the league and with that assured automatic qualification for next season's Champions League with a 3-1 win away to struggling Celta.
After a goalless first half, Diego Costa put Atletico ahead following a corner and Juanfran Torres'deflected shot doubled the visitors' advantage 21 minutes after the break.
Augusto Fernandez pulled a goal back to give Celta hope seven minutes from time, but Radamel Falcao assured all three points for Atletico just three minutes later.
While Atletico can now plan for the Champions League, the defeat leaves Celta second from bottom from the table, two points from safety after having played one game more than their rivals to avoid relegation.
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