Ronaldo leads Real to victory over Valencia

CRISTIANO Ronaldo converted two penalties as Real Madrid battled to a 4-1 away win at Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, lifting some of the recent gloom over the defending Spanish and European champions.

The result leaves Real 16 points behind top-placed Barcelona on 54, Atletico Madrid are second on 43, Valencia third on 40 with Real another two back.

Real manager Zinedine Zidane was able to field his favoured forward line of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema for the first time in 279 days.

“This was a big game in a big stadium and we played with great character,” said Zidane. “It shows we are still here and that we are ready to fight. There’s a long way top go in the league and we will do our best possible.”

This was no walk in the park for Zidane’s men, who had to fight until two late strikes from Marcelo and then Toni Kroos relieved the tension.

On a sunny unny afternoon at an animated d Mestalla stadium with it’s impeccable turf and rowdy Curva urva Nord stand,Valencia, a club b back on their feet after a decade cade of turmoil, had only lost once at home this season and gained a 2-2 draw at the B e r n a b e u in August. t.

Valencia’s ia’s f a s t a n d c o n f i d e n t c o u n t e r - a t t a c k i n g bamboozled Real defenders Raphael Varane and Nacho from the off and the home team also looked menacing from corners.

From one Valencia corner, however, Bale headed do down to Ronaldo (pictured celebr celebrating a goal with teamate Toni K Kroos) who tore down the field, pass passing to Marcelo and a d v a n c i n g i n t o t h e V a l e n c i a box, where w M a r t i n M o n t o y a fouled the P Portuguese superstar as he collected a pass. pass Ronaldo sent Neto the wrong way on 17 minutes and added ad a second penalty, penalt for his eighth league le goal of the season, after Montoya fouled him again.

Having only lost at the Mestalla to Villarreal this season Marcelino Garcia’s collection of loan signings and youngsters showed magnificent will as they fought to get back into the game.

Rodrigo missed a gaping open goal for the hosts just before half-time.

Benzema looking depressed

Just before the hour, 22-yearold Spanish striker Santi Mina lost Nacho and stole in at a corner to pull a goal back with a well directed header. It was his third goal in three games.

Bale, who showed all his old pace, was then booked for telling the referee he needed glasses. Television replays suggested Bale had a point.

As for Benzema, he was largely reliable in build-up play although he seemed reluctant to shoot. And as he trudged off when substituted, he looked as depressed as the Spanish press claim he is.

With tension building, Ronaldo might have scored three times, failing to convert after great work from Bale and Luka Modric and sending a freekick sizzling narrowly wide.

Marcelo finished brilliantly to relieve Real nerves after a tearing run and cut in from the left culminated in a fierce low drive into the bottom corner.

Zidane, who has been in charge at Real since January 2016 after Rafael Benitez was fired after a defeat in Valencia, looked visibly relieved.

Kroos then put the cherry on the cake for Real with a precise strike from outside the area with Valencia fading.