Ronaldo leads Real to Valencia victory

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

The result leaves Madrid 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 favored 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 indeed had to fight until two late strikes from Marcelo and then Toni Kroos relieved the tension.

On a sunny afternoon at an animated Mestalla stadium with it's impeccable turf and rowdy Curva Nord stand, Valencia, a club back on their feet after a decade of turmoil, had only lost once at home this season and gained a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu in August.

Valencia's fast, confident, counterattacking bamboozled Madrid defenders Raphael Varane and Nacho from the off and the home team also looked menacing from corners.

From one Valencia corner, however, Bale headed down to Ronaldo who tore down the field, passing to Marcelo and advancing into the Valencia box where Martin Montoya fouled the Portuguese superstar as he collected a pass.

Ronaldo sent Neto the wrong way on 17 minutes and added a second penalty, for his eighth league 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.