Real beat Betis in thriller, Atletico cruise past Bilbao
SEVILLE: Man of the moment Marco Asensio scored twice and Cristiano Ronaldo was also on target as Real Madrid kept up the feel-good factor with a thrilling 5-3 victory at Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday.
Madrid had been 2-1 down at half-time thanks to goals from Aissa Mendi and a Nacho own goal, but came roaring back in the second half with Sergio Ramos, Asensio, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema all finding the net.
They survived a late Betis onslaught, and after their 3-1 Champions League last 16, firstleg win against Paris Saint-Germain, this victory confirms that Zinedine Zidane’s side are looking better in La Liga now too.
They remain fourth, a huge 17 points behind leaders Barcelona. However, this was their fourth win in five league outings, and they are back to within a point of third-placed Valencia with a game in hand to come at Leganes in midweek.
GAMEIRO, COSTA SCORE IN ATLETICO WIN
MADRID: Kevin Gameiro came off the bench to score one goal and make another for Diego Costa as Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in La Liga on Sunday.
It was another clinical performance from Diego Simeone’s side, who have now recorded four consecutive league victories, all without their mean defence conceding a goal.
They remain second, seven points behind unbeaten league leaders Barcelona and nine ahead of third place Valencia, both of whom won on Saturday.