Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting Gijon: Los blancos ride their luck in nervy win thanks to Ronaldo’s brace [Best Tweets]

Real Madrid ran out 2-1 victors against Sporting Gijon, after a nervy end to the game

Duje Cop missed a penalty as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in an unconvincing 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon on a rainy evening at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

La Liga leaders Madrid were without star man Gareth Bale, who has been ruled out for up to four months with an ankle tendon injury, but appeared comfortable enough as Cristiano Ronaldo put in a good performance for the Spanish giants.

The Portuguese international scored twice inside 18 minutes, opening the scoring from the spot after Lucas Vasquez – filling in for Gareth Bale – was fouled in the area.

Ronaldo then doubled his tally and Madrid’s score with a thumping header

However, Gijon were gifted a lifeline before the break when Carlos Carmona profited from some slack play by Luka Modric.

The Croatian uncharacteristically played the ball straight to a Gijon player, and Gijon wasted no time in capitalising on the mistake.

It appeared as though a further twist was in store when Gijon were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute, but Cop fluffed his lines from the spot and Madrid were able to see out the game and pick up all 3 points.

The stats were out in force after Ronaldo’s brace :

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 28 headed league goals since 2012/13; at least 5 more than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues. pic.twitter.com/rujvt6VTO4

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 26, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo is the FIRST player to score 50+ goals in SIX CONSECUTIVE Calendar Years.

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016 pic.twitter.com/SPQ7iRvyV5

— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) November 26, 2016

Ronaldo makes it 1️⃣6️⃣ goals in 1️⃣2️⃣ games as Real Madrid beat Sporting Gijón 2-1 to go 7️⃣points clear in @LaLigaEN. For now. pic.twitter.com/4ifmrCQMBR

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 26, 2016

Ronaldo has now won Real Madrid 14 points in all competitions, more than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues.

— Zeus (Celtics 9-7) (@Keylorinho) November 26, 2016

Ronaldo has 30+ La Liga goals in a calendar year for 7th year running
2016 – 31
2015 – 37
2014 – 38
2013 – 38
2012 – 40
2011 – 43
2010 – 36 pic.twitter.com/T4c5vTTyfJ

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 26, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 100 braces since joining Real Madrid [all competitions].

— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) November 26, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo now has 270 goals in La Liga in just 246 matches.

— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) November 26, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016:

? 51 games
⚽️ 51 goals
? 17 assists
? 6 hat-tricks
? 3 trophies pic.twitter.com/KgATA02jbe

— bet365 (@bet365) November 26, 2016

There was one stat for Zinedine Zidane to enjoy as well :

81.8% – Zinedine Zidane is the Real Madrid manager with the highest rate of wins in La Liga history (81.8%). Hint

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 26, 2016

Madrid’s respectable decision to make jerseys out of recycled materials also didn’t go unnoticed.

Real Madrid are wearing their recycled shirts today that are made entirely from recyclable material and plastic bottles. ? pic.twitter.com/kkChEt4Ie9

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 26, 2016

Madrid's shirt made from recycled bottles is great initiative, but water is its kryptonite

Looked like Ronaldo was in a wet t-shirt contest pic.twitter.com/Dds5Yhtgsv

— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) November 26, 2016

Nacho and Isco were also singled out for praise:

What a ball by Nacho. He's been great so far. Cristiano does the rest with a bullet header. Just the start we needed. 2-0.

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) November 26, 2016

Real Madrid's most underrated player:

NACHO FERNANDEZ

— ㅤ (@RMadridFever) November 26, 2016

Nacho can do everything.
Defend
Attack
Play as a Centerback or fullback
Really good squad player to have

— Rk (@RahatRMCF) November 26, 2016

Every team needs a Nacho in their side. A hard-working role-player that's versatile and can easily fill in for any starter. Special.

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) November 26, 2016

What a cross from Nacho! Super assist!

— Rey (@ReyLaMadrid) November 26, 2016

Pim pam pum, sencillo pic.twitter.com/v7lLxANDWY

— ISCO ALARCÓN (@PintxIsco) November 26, 2016

Isco, Vazquez, Asensio and James will be the ones fighting for Bale's spot. Right now, that should be Isco's spot to lose.

— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) November 26, 2016

Isco ended that defender's career though ??

— ♔ღ♔Mr.Omar.C.R♔ღ♔ (@OMAR_CR7_) November 26, 2016

Isco to the disco.

— Ali (@RM_Insider) November 26, 2016

What a nutmeg by Isco. Takes the shot and it's a corner. #LaLiga

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) November 26, 2016

A lot of football fans were unimpressed however, attributing Madrid’s victory and current unbeaten run to luck :

So nothing has changed seems like. Unimpressive Madrid with tremendous luck.

— Moreno (@BlastItLikeGabi) November 26, 2016

If you remove luck from Madrid's season, they'll be finishing on Europa league spot… that I can guaran-fucking-tee

— Nomadic (@a_Zephyr) November 26, 2016

Can't see Madrid bottling the league. They have both quality and luck. Never seen anything like this before.

— Jamsheed (@JamsheedFCB) November 26, 2016

Its utterly unbelievable how Real Madrid get dominated for 60-70 minutes and still come out on top at the end. Wonders of luck.

— BlaugranaHome (@BlaugranaHome) November 26, 2016

If we had half of Real Madrid's luck…

— A (@Andregomecismo) November 26, 2016

Real Madrid somehow with help of luck managed not to repeat their last season's mistakes and we didn't yet. Reason why they're on top now.

— Víaan (@Viaanito) November 26, 2016

The luck of Madrid is endless for real. A non-existing penalty and a horrible missed penalty gave them the win.

— Nuel Weinchard (@NuelWeinchard) November 26, 2016