Real coach applauds Ronaldo gesture

– Real coach Zinedine Zidane hailed Cristiano Ronaldo’s selflessness after the forward spurned the chance of a hat-trick by allowing Karim Benzema to take a late penalty in Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Alaves.

Zidane restored Gareth Bale to the starting XI in harness with Ronaldo and Benzema, and all three scored in a confident display at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo (right), whose first goal was created by a magnificent Benzema flick, stood aside in the 89th minute to allow the Frenchman to convert only his fourth league goal of the season.

“The gesture of Cristiano is very important,” said Zidane.

“He (Ronaldo) had opportunities, he scored twice. After there is this gesture for Karim.

“This proves that between them, there is a good atmosphere, a good relationship, and to win and continue what we’re doing, it’s super important.”

The champions’ title hopes are all but over, with Real 11 points behind leaders Barcelona in third, but a run of four straight wins has ended any worries of missing out on a Champions League spot.

The deadlock was finally broken shortly before the interval, as Benzema’s delightful flick found Ronaldo, who found the corner.

Benzema was again the creator as Bale made it two less than a minute into the second period.

The Frenchman powered forward and laid the ball off for Bale, with the 28-year-old winger finishing with aplomb to end a run of six games without scoring.

Ronaldo wrapped up the points just after the hour mark. – AFP