• La Liga

Ronaldo keeps Madrid in title chase

ESPN staff
April 27, 2014
Cristiano Ronaldo reached 30 goals in La Liga for the season © Getty Images
Enlarge

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two long-range goals to help Real Madrid rout Osasuna 4-0 on Saturday and stay in the title chase in La Liga, despite resting several first-choice players for their European clash at Bayern Munich.

With Gareth Bale recovering from the flu and Karim Benzema on the bench, all of Madrid's attack went through Ronaldo on the left flank.

And the Ballon d'Or winner didn't disappoint by unleashing two similar blasts after cutting inside to put the ball on his right boot to take his league-leading tally to 30 goals after 35 matches.

Sergio Ramos scored with a header from close range following Angel Di Maria's cross from the right to make it 3-0 after an hour, after which Ronaldo came off to rest up for the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Before the end, Isco provided a ball for Daniel Carvajal to loop home with his head as Madrid provisionally closed to within three points of leaders Atletico Madrid. Real with have a game in hand on Atletico after Sunday's matches.

A minute's silence was held for former Barcelona coach Vilanova before the days' matches, and also before Bayern's home game against Werder Bremen, with Bayern players wearing black armbands.

Barcelona have declared three days of mourning for Vilanova, whose funeral will be on Monday in Barcelona's cathedral.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close