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Played
February 18, 2012 7:00 PM GMT
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee:‬ José Luis González González‎
Attendance:‬ 72000‎
 
 
45+1′ Karim Benzema
 
 
 
Top of the Match
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema
Real Madrid
Kaká
Kaká
Real Madrid
Flop of the Match
Álvaro
Álvaro
Racing Santander
Domingo Cisma
Domingo Cisma
Racing Santander

Real Madrid 4-0 Racing Santander: Ronaldo, Benzema & Di Maria on target in easy win for Mourinho's men

Los Blancos recorded a straightforward win at home against the relegation strugglers to sit provisionally 13 points clear of rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga

By Luke Matthews

Liga BBVA: Real Madrid-Racing Santander: Cristiano Ronaldo; Pepe
Getty
Real Madrid earned another comfortable La Liga victory as they defeated 10-man Racing Santander 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday to move one step closer to the league title.

Los Blancos were ahead in the sixth minute through Cristiano Ronaldo's header before Racing went down to 10 men after the referee awarded Domingo Cisma a second yellow card. Madrid were 2-0 up at the break when Benzema netted in injury time.

Angel Di Maria marked his return from injury with a superb strike in the 73rd minute, before Benzema added his second and Madrid's fourth in the 89th minute to put the icing on the cake for the home side ahead of Tuesday's clash at CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

The win gives Jose Mourinho's men a 13-point cushion at the top of La Liga with rivals Barcelona not in action until Sunday evening, when they face a tricky test against third-placed Valencia.

Madrid made a lively start to proceedings and could have found themselves a goal to the good in the fifth minute. Kaka's inviting corner was met by a downwards header from Ronaldo who could only watch on in despair as the ball struck the post before the visitors cleared the danger.

However, Mourinho's side only had to wait another minute before finding the back of the net. Benzema's through ball fell to the feet of Kaka, who saw his shot parried by Tono. The quick-thinking Brazilian then headed the rebound across the Racing goalmouth for Ronaldo to nod home for his 35th goal of the season in 34 appearances in all competitions.

The visitors' fortunes turned from bad to worse on 39 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men after Domingo Cisma was shown a second yellow card. The full-back was adjudged by the referee to have intentionally blocked Ronaldo's cross with his hand, but replays showed the former Almeria man was harshly given his marching orders.

Madrid doubled their lead with the last action of the first half when Benzema netted in added time. Xabi Alonso was alert to slide a set piece through to the Frenchman, who clipped an effort over the head of an onrushing Tono with Sergio Ramos on the line to make sure the ball ended up in the back of the net.

The home team looked comfortable throughout the second period and added a third in the 73rd minute. Substitute Angel Di Maria, making his first appearance for Los Blancos in 12 games, cut infield from the right wing before smashing the ball past Tono and into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Benzema added his second of the game in the 89th minute after the striker picked up a rebound from Di Maria's parried effort. The former Lyon striker smashed the ball high into the goal via a deflection from Bernardo as Madrid easily secured all three points.

Madrid now head to Russia, where they will face CSKA in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League encounter, while Racing are next in action in La Liga versus Sporting Gijon on February 25.


Real Madrid

1
Iker Casillas
Goalkeeper
3.0
3
Pepe
Defender
76′
3.0
4
Sergio Ramos
Defender
58′
2.5
12
Marcelo
Defender
3.5
19
Raphaël Varane
Defender
3.5
8
Kaká
Midfielder
6′ 69′
3.5
10
Mesut Özil
Midfielder
63′
3.5
11
3.5
14
Xabi Alonso
Midfielder
46′ 73′
3.5
7
Cristiano Ronaldo
Midfielder
6′
3.5
9
Karim Benzema
Striker
46′ 89′
4.0

Racing Santander

2.5
13
Toño
Goalkeeper
2.0
14
Álvaro
Defender
46′
2.5
18
3.0
19
Torrejón
Defender
2.0
6
Domingo Cisma
Defender
26′ 39′
2.5
5
Diop
Midfielder
2.5
7
Arana
Midfielder
2.5
21
Marcos Gullón
Midfielder
2.5
23
Adrián González
Midfielder
44′
3.0
9
2.5
11

Substitutes

13
Adán
Goalkeeper
-
2
3.0
15
Fabio Coentrao
Defender
-
6
Sami Khedira
Midfielder
71′ 89′
3.0
21
Callejón
Striker
-
22
Á. di María
Striker
63′ 73′
3.5
20
-

Substitutes

-
1
Mario
Goalkeeper
2.5
3
Christian
Defender
44′
-
15
Francis
Defender
-
16
-
20
Edu Bedia
Midfielder
2.5
10
-
17
Julián Luque
Striker
78′

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
50 10
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
46 12
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atlético Madrid
24 5
Gonzalo Higuaín Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker
Real Madrid
22 0
Karim Benzema Karim Benzema
Striker
Real Madrid
21 0