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Played
February 26, 2012 8:30 PM IST
Estadio del Rayo Vallecano (de Vallecas Teresa Rivero) — Madrid
Referee: David Fernandez Borbalan
Attendance: 13500
February 26, 2012 8:30 PM IST
Estadio del Rayo Vallecano (de Vallecas Teresa Rivero) — Madrid
Referee: David Fernandez Borbalan
Attendance: 13500
Top of the Match
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Flop of the Match
Kaká
Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Michu
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Rayo 0-1 Real Madrid: Impudent backheel from Ronaldo proves decisive as Jose Mourinho's men edge ever closer to La Liga title
Jose Mourinho's men recorded their 21st league win of the season in a hotly-contested capital derby thanks to an audacious goal from their Portuguese superstar
By Daniel Quinton-Navarro
Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo's audacious backheel proved the only goal in the capital derby as Real Madrid overcame neighbours Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at the Vallecas to provisionally move 13 points clear of Barcelona.
Madrid 'keeper Iker Casillas saved his side from spoils, steering away promising efforts from the Rayo strikers, yet it was Jose Mourinho's side who were guilty of spurning numerous chances themselves, holding on to their slim advantage and move ominously closer to the Primera Division title.
After a competitive start, Los Blancos took charge when Gonzalo Higuain latched onto Kaka's chipped pass, but the striker struggled to get the ball out from under his feet and despite managing to round the keeper, the angle became too acute and the opportunity disappeared.
The early exchanges were devoid of any clear cut chances, but drama then ensued when Diego Costa was left outraged as Sergio Ramos raised his elbow in the penalty area. The referee remained unmoved, however, and Costa was shown a yellow card for his continued protests.
As the first half drew to a close Michu came incredibly close from giving his side the lead as the Spaniard brought down a cross-field ball before dummying a shot and cutting inside - unleashing a strike which rebounded sharply off the angle of the upright and crossbar.
The home side continued to push and Madrid needed Ramos' right foot to save them from falling behind when he nudged the ball off of Michu's toe. He was left relieved to see the ball pinball behind for a corner as it remained goalless at the break.
However, Real Madrid have been clinical in producing winning performances this season, and took the lead early in the second half. From a corner, Cristiano Ronaldo chased the ball away from goal before cheekily attempting a backheel which he flashed into the net.
Soon after the opening goal the former Manchester United star tested the hands of Joel with a driven free-kick from 25-yards out which he did well to punch clear. Rayo's stopper was then called upon again when he needed to get to a loose ball ahead of Higuain.
Casillas was then forced into a flying save to maintain the advantage. The Spain No. 1 punched clear a corner kick, inviting Jose Casado to strike from 30 yards out and it was a vicious effort heading into the top corner but for Casillas' hand which tipped the ball around the post.
Jose Callejon then spurned a chance to double Madrid's advantage when he was left unmarked in the six-yard box but failed to direct the ball on target. Joel ensured that a point remained a possibility as the game entered the final stages, pulling off a wonderful stop to deny Ronaldo from grabbing his second of the match with an effort from range.
Any chance of the hosts coming away with a point vanished, though, when Michu was shown a red card late on for a rash challenge. Real Madrid hung on for an invaluable victory in the quest for the title and the importance of the three points was evident by the players reaction at the end of the match.
Madrid 'keeper Iker Casillas saved his side from spoils, steering away promising efforts from the Rayo strikers, yet it was Jose Mourinho's side who were guilty of spurning numerous chances themselves, holding on to their slim advantage and move ominously closer to the Primera Division title.
After a competitive start, Los Blancos took charge when Gonzalo Higuain latched onto Kaka's chipped pass, but the striker struggled to get the ball out from under his feet and despite managing to round the keeper, the angle became too acute and the opportunity disappeared.
The early exchanges were devoid of any clear cut chances, but drama then ensued when Diego Costa was left outraged as Sergio Ramos raised his elbow in the penalty area. The referee remained unmoved, however, and Costa was shown a yellow card for his continued protests.
As the first half drew to a close Michu came incredibly close from giving his side the lead as the Spaniard brought down a cross-field ball before dummying a shot and cutting inside - unleashing a strike which rebounded sharply off the angle of the upright and crossbar.
The home side continued to push and Madrid needed Ramos' right foot to save them from falling behind when he nudged the ball off of Michu's toe. He was left relieved to see the ball pinball behind for a corner as it remained goalless at the break.
However, Real Madrid have been clinical in producing winning performances this season, and took the lead early in the second half. From a corner, Cristiano Ronaldo chased the ball away from goal before cheekily attempting a backheel which he flashed into the net.
Soon after the opening goal the former Manchester United star tested the hands of Joel with a driven free-kick from 25-yards out which he did well to punch clear. Rayo's stopper was then called upon again when he needed to get to a loose ball ahead of Higuain.
Casillas was then forced into a flying save to maintain the advantage. The Spain No. 1 punched clear a corner kick, inviting Jose Casado to strike from 30 yards out and it was a vicious effort heading into the top corner but for Casillas' hand which tipped the ball around the post.
Jose Callejon then spurned a chance to double Madrid's advantage when he was left unmarked in the six-yard box but failed to direct the ball on target. Joel ensured that a point remained a possibility as the game entered the final stages, pulling off a wonderful stop to deny Ronaldo from grabbing his second of the match with an effort from range.
Any chance of the hosts coming away with a point vanished, though, when Michu was shown a red card late on for a rash challenge. Real Madrid hung on for an invaluable victory in the quest for the title and the importance of the three points was evident by the players reaction at the end of the match.
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
Times In IST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |