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Played
February 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee: José Luis González González
Attendance: 72000
February 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee: José Luis González González
Attendance: 72000
Top of the Match
Karim Benzema
Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Kaká
Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Flop of the Match
Álvaro
Racing
Racing
Domingo Cisma
Racing
Racing
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Real Madrid 4-0 Racing Santander: Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria on target in easy win for Mourinho's men
Jose Mourinho's men recorded a straightforward win at home against the relegation strugglers to head 13 points clear of rival Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
By Luke Matthews
Real Madrid earned another comfortable Liga victory as it defeated 10-man Racing Santander 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to move one step closer to the league title.
Los Blancos were ahead in the 6th minute through Cristiano Ronaldo's header before Racing was down to 10 men after the referee awarded Domingo Cisma a second yellow card. Madrid was 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. Benzema added his second and Madrid's fourth in the 89th minute to put the icing on the cake for the home side.
The win gives Jose Mourinho's men a 13 point cushion at the top of Liga with rival Barcelona not in action until Sunday evening when it faces a tricky test against third-placed Valencia.
Madrid made a lively start to proceedings and could have found itself a goal to the good in the fifth minute. Kaka's inviting corner was met by a downwards header from Cristiano Ronaldo who could only watch on in despair as the ball struck the post.
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 headed the rebound across the Racing goalmouth for Ronaldo to nod home for his 35th goal of the season in 34 appearances.
Racing's fortunes turned from bad to worse on 39 minutes when the team was reduced to 10 men after 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 yet replays showed the former Almeria man was harshly awarded his marching orders.
Madrid doubled the 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 Di Maria, making his first appearance for Los Blancos in 12 games, cut in field 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 man smashed the ball high into the goal via a deflection from Bernardo as Madrid easily secured all of the points.
Madrid now heads to Russia where it will face CSKA Moscow in first leg of their last 16 Champions League encounter, while Racing is next in action in Liga versus Sporting on Feb. 25.
Los Blancos were ahead in the 6th minute through Cristiano Ronaldo's header before Racing was down to 10 men after the referee awarded Domingo Cisma a second yellow card. Madrid was 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. Benzema added his second and Madrid's fourth in the 89th minute to put the icing on the cake for the home side.
The win gives Jose Mourinho's men a 13 point cushion at the top of Liga with rival Barcelona not in action until Sunday evening when it faces a tricky test against third-placed Valencia.
Madrid made a lively start to proceedings and could have found itself a goal to the good in the fifth minute. Kaka's inviting corner was met by a downwards header from Cristiano Ronaldo who could only watch on in despair as the ball struck the post.
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 headed the rebound across the Racing goalmouth for Ronaldo to nod home for his 35th goal of the season in 34 appearances.
Racing's fortunes turned from bad to worse on 39 minutes when the team was reduced to 10 men after 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 yet replays showed the former Almeria man was harshly awarded his marching orders.
Madrid doubled the 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 Di Maria, making his first appearance for Los Blancos in 12 games, cut in field 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 man smashed the ball high into the goal via a deflection from Bernardo as Madrid easily secured all of the points.
Madrid now heads to Russia where it will face CSKA Moscow in first leg of their last 16 Champions League encounter, while Racing is next in action in Liga versus Sporting on Feb. 25.
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Goal
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Yellow Card / Red Card
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Substitution IN
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Results
Times In EST
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 |