Ronaldo on target as Real go back top in Spain
24/01/2004
Ronaldo on target as Real go back top in Spain |
MADRID, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Ronaldo scored his 16th league goal of the season
to help take Real Madrid back to the top of the table on Saturday with a 2-1
win at home to Villarreal.
Argentine midfielder Santiago Solari, playing in place of the injured Zinedine
Zidane, opened the scoring after 14 minutes, squeezing a shot under the body of
Villarreal keeper Pepe Reina.
Real
continued to press and their second goal came nine minutes into the second half
when Guti picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and passed for Ronaldo
to sweep into the roof of the net.
Sergio
Ballesteros headed in from a corner four minutes from time to give Villarreal
hope, but Real held on to extend their perfect home record in the league this
season.
Victory for Real took them back above Valencia at the top with 46 points from 21
games. Valencia, with 44 points and a game in hand, will have to win at home to
sixth-placed Osasuna on Sunday to reclaim top spot.
Atletico Madrid were looking to consolidate fourth place with victory away to
Albacete in a game being played later on Saturday.