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 (@Squawka) November 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/Footy_Jokes/status/802553615147614208
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
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/Keylorinho/status/802559657235517441
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
— B/R Football (@brfootball) 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:
https://twitter.com/RMadridHome_/status/802536065147936768
https://twitter.com/RMadridFever/status/802551557711687680
https://twitter.com/RahatRMCF/status/802551374894473216
https://twitter.com/RMadridHome_/status/802550178985242624
What a cross from Nacho! Super assist!
— Rey (@ReyLaMadrid) November 26, 2016
Pim pam pum, sencillo https://t.co/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
https://twitter.com/OMAR_CR7_/status/802558697348235265
Isco to the disco.
— Ali (@NaboAli23) November 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/RMadridHome_/status/802558607183200257
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 (@ColchoMoreno14) 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
— Zak (@NomadicZak) November 26, 2016
Can't see Madrid bottling the league. They have both quality and luck. Never seen anything like this before.
— Jimmy (@FCBJimmy_) November 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/BlaugranaHome/status/802556766743658496
https://twitter.com/Andregomecismo/status/802564570929766402
https://twitter.com/Viaanito/status/802561926383271938
https://twitter.com/NuelWeinchard/status/802559028492664832
