REPORT | 13/02/2016 | Alberto Navarro
A brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and goals from James and Kroos seal the eighth consecutive win at the Bernabéu.- Liga BBVA
- Matchday 24
- Sat, 13 Feb
4
2The home side already had the scoreline in their favour but it only lasted for seven minutes. Eraso equalled in the 10th minute, by making the most of a misunderstanding of a ball that Varane passed to Keylar Navas. The match was pulsating, with a lot of intensity, and Navas prevented the visitors from making it two following a great stretch to keep out a header from Aduriz in the 19th minute. Real Madrid responded, also with a great header, five minutes later. Danilo was very attentive and got in front of the defender but Iriaizoz' stop ensured that the score remained the same.
CRISTIANO RONALDO BECOMES PICHICHI OF LA LIGA WITH 21 GOALS.
Both sides were going for victory and Aduriz hit the bar a minute before the half-hour mark, however James emerged in the 37th minute and brightened things up. The Colombian controlled on the edge of the area, broke away from a defender and surprised Iraizoz with a real rocket of a shot. The score would not remain the same before the break. Kroos received an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 45th minute, he controlled, turned on the penalty spot and extended the lead.
Varane's sending off
The second half was calmer, although Cristiano Ronaldo could have sealed the game in the 53rd minute. The Portuguese player took advantage of a rebound from a freekick that he took and his shot forced Iraizos to make a praiseworthy stop. The minutes passed and the game seemed to be following a script written for the Whites, however they went down to ten men in the 83rd minute after Varane was shown his second yellow card.
Real Madrid reacted to the sending off and extended the lead in the 87th minute. Lucas Vázquez crossed and Cristiano Ronaldo got his brace after controlling the ball with his chest and shooting a Iraizoz. The Portuguese player becomes pichichi in La Liga. Just before the end of regulation time, Elustondo scored Athletic's second goal. It was too late. Real Madrid got their eighth consecutive win at home and attention now turns to the Champions League knockout stage of the Champions League against Roma.
