Deadly duo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain struck in each half respectively helping Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit return to the Primera Division summit, following Barcelona’s Saturday night win at home to Athletic Bilbao, which for 24 hours and for the third week running meant Real Madrid had to ensure victory to overtake their rivals to top spot.
A lacklustre first half affair saw both teams struggle to retain the ball and create any substantial goal efforts. Madrid devoid of Xabi Alonso and fellow Spaniard Sergio Ramos through suspension lacked a clinical midfield cutting instinct with defensive double act Fernando Gago and returning Mali international Mahamadou Diarra occupying both central midfield positions.
Racing mustered an opportunist effort early on however when Real Madrid bound teenage prospect Sergio Canales (15) attempted an audacious chip trying to catch out Iker Casillas, whom was out of his area following a clearance but the 19 year olds effort rolled agonizingly wide sending a familiar feeling coursing through much of El Sardinero, as the home side have only won two games on their own patch this season, the poorest in La Liga.
Teenage wizard Sergio Canales, whom has signed a pre-contract to join Real Madrid in the summer had Racing's best opening.
It was left to Madrid’s shooting star once again though to produce a canter of magic. Cristiano Ronaldo’s mazy run and burst of pace past Racing defender Jose Moraton was too hot to handle for the Spanish full back bringing the Portuguese winger down in his tracks inside the penalty area (23). Cool and collected, Ronaldo stepped up to dispatch the resulting spot-kick to keeper Coltorti’s right laying claim to his 18th La Liga goal of the campaign.
Despite being a goal down, Racing did not give up the chase and they showed plenty of endeavour and fight to push for an equaliser. But there attempts were in vain and the match was sealed for the away side when substitute Jose Maria Gutierrez supplemented the fleet of foot Gonzalo Higuain (77) with a curling pass over the top of the Racing backline, which the argentine latched onto easily soaring past Racing veteran Pablo Pinillos before expertly slotting the ball past the oncoming Coltorti.
Real Madrid celebrate their second, goal scorer Gonzalo Higuain (centre) is in the thick of things.
With fifthteen minutes remaining Madrid laid a late siege to Racing’s goal and Bernabeu old boys, substitutes Raul and Guti started toying with the hosts feeding one-twos off of each other. And the blonde haired midfield maestro came inches away from giving Los Blancos a flattering third when he crashed a left footed shot off the cross bar following a defensive mix-up (86).
Referee Mr Delgado Ferreiro bought an end to matters soon after meaning Real Madrid return home to the capital retaining La Liga’s top spot on goal difference over their great Catalan rivals with next week’s match-up billed as the title decider.
Real Madrid:
Casillas 6: The Spanish number one didn’t have a lot to do but was almost caught out with Canales cheeky lob.
Arbeloa 6: Solid as usual, perhaps could of pushed on more in an attacking sense.
Marcelo 7: Did well to tie down Racing’s old stager Munitis, as well as make his typical runs forward.
Albiol 7: Unflustered and steady at the back.
Metzelder 7: Trusty and reliable on his return to the side, his first outing in several months.
Diarra 7: Confident and intelligent in midfield, looks back to his best.
Gago 7: Defended well, put in the hard yards and was unflappable in central midfield.
Granero 6: Caused a threat down the right hand side, but still waiting to see more from him.
Van der Vaart 6: Battled well, picked up a couple of knocks, but the all-round midfield talent is becoming a mainstay in Madrid’s centre, particularly in the absence of Kaka.
Ronaldo 7: His usual bright self, won and converted the penalty and he always looked a danger.
Higuain 7: Quiet game, but absolutely clinical when called upon to score his side’s second.
Substitutes: Guti 7: Some lovely interchange and passing, unlucky with his shot that rattled the woodwork. Raul 6: Again some nice touches, plus maximum work ethic, would be nice for the veteran to come in and start a few games possibly from a midfield position. Marcos Alonso 6: Proud moment for the youngster making his debut for the club but little time to make any impact.
Racing: Coltorti 6, Pinillos 5, Torrejon 6, Moraton 5, Christian 6, Colsa 7, Diop 7, Canales 6, Arana 6, Munitis 6,Tchite 6. Substitutes: Serrano 5, Bolado 5, Lacen 5
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