Real Madrid 4 - 1 CSKA Moscow (UCL Last 16 2nd Leg)

Real Madrid showcased their tremendous goal scoring skills against CSKA Moscow, defeating them 4-1 and reaching the Champions League quarterfinals.

CSKA needed at least one goal to stay alive in the competition and really looked for one in the opening minutes. Doumbia came close with a shot that grazed the crossbar (7'), forcing Real Madrid to react with a powerful Ronaldo strike that Chepchugov managed to save. Kaka also had a chance inside the box and narrowly missed the goal (17').

A shy CSKA Moscow was defeated at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The Whites dominated the encounter and Higuain tallied the first on the goal-line from an assist by Kaka (26'), but CSKA continued their search for a strike, forcing Casillas to send a long distance Musa shot to corner-kick (33'). Kaka served a good cross that Higuain failed to finish off just before half-time (44').

The Madridistas slowed the game down a bit in the second half while keeping possession and Crsitiano netted the second of the evening from a powerful shot from outside the box (54'). This was a harsh blow to the Russians and the locals used this to have more chances. Ronaldo served a great pass to Higuain inside the box, but the Argentine missed the ball by inches (63'), and a couple of minutes later the Portuguese striker nearly scored from a header that went over the crossbar. Doumbia had a clear chance for CSKA on the 66-minute mark, but his shot on goal missed the target even though Casillas was already defeated.

Benzema came on for Higuain (68') and scored the third goal from the first ball he touched after receiving a great pass from Ozil. Granero came on for Kaka soon after the strike (75'). With nothing left to lose, CSKA kept looking for a strike and were rewarded with an amazing long distance shot by Necid (80') when Real Madrid had somewhat relaxed. Lass came on for Ozil (85') and, just when everything seemed final, Cristiano Ronaldo tallied another goal on the goal-line thanks to a generous assist from Benzema (94').

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 75,000
Goals: 1-0, m.26: Higuaín; 2-0, m.54: Ronaldo. 3-0, m.70: Benzema. 3-1, m.80: Necid. 4-1, m.94: Ronaldo

Betis 2 - 3 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 27)

Real Madrid earned a record tenth straight victory on the road in La Liga by defeating Betis 3-2 tonight with goals by Ronaldo (2) and Higuain. The Whites suffered and were forced to turn the score around.

Ramos hugs Mourinho after a very difficult match

Pepe made the lineup after being suspended in last week's match. Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo and Higuain led the attack, but the locals put pressure up front and soon scored the opener through Jorge Molina.

Both teams played an offensive game and reached each other's boxes frequently , with Higuain netting the equaliser after receiving a fantastic long pass from Ozil (24’). Betis started to play a more defensive game and the Whites begand to dominate the encounter. Higuain and Ronaldo had two great chances to take the lead but the score was still drawn by half-time.

Referee Iturralde Gonzalez injured himself in the first half and was replaced by his fourth assistant after half-time. Both teams tried hard for a goal and Madrid took the lead through Ronaldo, whose shot following a Marcelo pass bounced off the ground and defeated the keeper (52'). Betis reacted quickly and Jefferson Montero netted an equaliser two minutes later, forcing Mourinho's men to make a comeback.

Marcelo nearly scored the winner on the 60-minute mark, but his shot was cleared by the keeper. The match became very intense with both sides looking to score a third, and a Ramos header from a corner-kick was saved by the goalie only to land at Ronaldo's feet, who netted the winner for the Whites (72').

Real had more possession from then on, but both sides kind of deflated due to the great effort they had made throughout the encounter. Granero and Callejon came on for Kaka and Higuain, and Cristiano had another chance to score but Fabricio cleared the shot once again. Benzema came on for Ozil in the final minutes and nothing much followed.

Summary

Stadium: Benito Villamarin
Attendance: 37,500
Goals: 1-0, M.10: Jorge Molina. 1-1, M.24: Higuaín. 1-2, M.52: Cristiano Ronaldo. 2-2, M.54: Jefferson Montero. 2-3, M.72: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid 5 - 0 Espanyol (Spanish League Day 26)

Real Madrid have scored 85 goals in 24 league games thanks to the five netted against Espanyol tonight, which also gave them a tenth straight victory in the championship. The Whites were superior throughout the encounter and thrilled their fans with an electrifying shower of goals at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid have scored 85 goals in 24 League games

Carvalho came on for the suspended Pepe and Real Madrid didn't have such an intense start to the match as usual, but Espanyol seemed weary and hardly managed to give two consecutive passes. Mourinho's men completely controlled the match and soon started to have chances. The first was a Ronaldo shot that grazed one of the posts (11'), followed by one by Kaka inside the box that was cleared by goalkeeper Casilla (19').

Real scored the opener two minutes later when Ozil stole the ball as Espanyol's defence had made a mess of a clearance, passed it to Higuain and the Argentine then left it for Ronaldo to nutmeg Casilla (21').

The goal spurred Real Madrid and an excellent combination between Ozil and Khedira ended in a strike by the latter that gave the locals a comfortable lead (38'). Higuain and Ronaldo nearly scored some more before half-time but were unlucky.

The second half couldn't have had a better start: Kaka entered the box after a long run and served a perfect assist for Higuain to tally the third. Espanyol completely deflated and Mourinho benched Carvalho, who already had one booking. Varane came on and Real continued to dominate the match. Casilla cleared another Ronaldo shot and the Portuguese striker later crossed the ball into the box, where it was picked up by Kaka and sent into the goal when the defence made a mess of its attempt to clear it (65').

Callejon came on for Ozil one minute later amidst exultant celebration in the stands. In the final minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo passed the ball to Morata looking to help him score, but Casilla sent the youth teamer's shot to corner (87').

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 77,000
Goals: 1-0, min. 23: Cristiano Ronaldo; 2-0, min. 38: Khedira. 3-0, min. 47: Higuaín. 4-0, min. 66: Kaká. 5-0, min. 78: Higuaín.

Rayo Vallecano 0 - 1 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 25)

Real Madrid suffered to take three points in Vallecas against Rayo, who always fought hard and proved to be a worthy opponent. A brilliant heel shot goal by Cristiano Ronaldo gave the team a victory that could very well prove to be key in the outcome of the championship.

Cristiano Ronaldo beat Rayo Vallecano with a superb goal

Kaka, Marcelo and Higuain made Mourinho's starting lineup and the game had an intense start, with both sides looking for their strikers with long passes. Rayo were very motivated and complicated things for Real in set pieces. Mourinho's men didn't have possession as much as they're used to and weren't able to play their usual football, but they had the first chance to score nonetheless through Higuain, who was unable to dribble past Joel (17'). Ronaldo also tried seven minutes later with a distance shot that missed the mark, while Diego Costa proved threatening and a pain for Real's centre backs, and Piti sent the ball to one of the posts close to half-time (38').

Both sides continued to use long passes in the second half and the Whites soon scored from an Ozil corner-kick that was amazingly finished off by Ronaldo with a heel shot with his back to goal (54'). The locals suffered from this and the Madridistas started to dominate the encounter, with Mourinho looking to dominate more in midfield by replacing Kaka with Coentrao (60').

Rayo brought their lines further forward in pursuit of a goal, leaving spaces for Real Madrid to counterattack in. Higuain nearly tallied another strike in a one-on-one with Joel, but the keeper won the day. Michu sent the ball off target as he faced Casillas alone (72'), and the goalie was forced to make an amazing save a couple of minutes later to clear a spectacular distance shot by Casado (74'). Callejon came on for Higuian one minute later.

The locals put more pressure on the Madridistas, who suffered and kept counterattacking on occasion. Callejon missed the goal on the 81-minute mark and the final minutes became crazy, with either looking the winning part. The locals had an amazing chance in the 90th minute when Armenteros found himself alone facing Real's goal, but he missed the ball. Ronaldo nearly finished the match in the ensuing counterattack, but the ball went over the crossbar. Moments later, when Rayo were besieging Real's goal, the ref ended the match.

Summary

Stadium: Estadio de Vallecas
Attendance: 12,400
Goals: 0-1, m.54: Cristiano Ronaldo

CSKA Moscow 1 - 1 Real Madrid (UCL Last 16 1st Leg)

Only bad luck and the strange things that sometimes happen in football prevented Real Madrid from winning tonight in Moscow. The Whites perfectly adapted to the stadium's synthetic grass and to the city's low temparature, dominating the match from the start, but unfortunatley leaving without a much deserved victory due to a defensive mistake in injury time. The tie will be decided at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo after scored against CSKA Moscow

Mourinho decided to use Callejon, Khedira, Arbeloa and Coentrao in his starting lineup, ready to play a more tactical game against CSKA. Real Madrid found it a little hard to adapt in the opening minutes and the Russians used this to their advantage. Bad luck struck the Whites when Benzema injured himself attempting a long strike and had to be replaced by Higuain (13'), who had the first chance in the game with a shot that was cleared by Chepchugov. The ball fell at Khedira's feet, but the keepr saved the day again for the local side.

CSKA hardly reached Casillas' goal, but they were well positioned throughout the match. They also fouled whenever they had a chance, but Real scored their goal after Higuain stole the ball, crossed it and Ronaldo netted it with a crossed shot (27'). Only Doumbia troubled the Madrid defence occasionally with his speed after the strike, but no real danger came from CSKA.

The Madridistas tried to seal the match as soon as the second half began, and Callejon missed a couple of good chances (50', 51'). The locals started to look for a goal of their own and left room for Madrid to attack in. Musa shot on target in the 61st minute, but Casillas grabbed the ball easily as it lacked force. Real Madrid continued to dominate the encounter and looked for a chance to counterattack.

Mourinho made Kaka come on for Callejon on the 74-minute mark and a Ramos header was saved by the keeper one minute later. Ronaldo nearly scored again the minute after that, but Chepchugov cleared the shot by an inch. Honda led his side in reaching Casillas' goal more often and Mourinho decided to strengthen the defence by replacing Ozil with Albiol (84'). CSKA tried hard for a draw that would ease things for them in the return leg and eventually found it through Wernbloom in a messy effort in injury time.

Summary

Stadium: Luzhniki Stadium
Attendance: 70,000
Goals: 0-1 Min.27 Cristiano Ronaldo; 1-1 Min.92 Wernbloom.

Real Madrid 4 - 0 Racing (Spanish League Day 24)

Real Madrid earned an efficient 4-0 win over Racing Santander at the Bernabeu that keeps them comfortably in the lead on the league table. Di Maria played his first game following his injury, gave a brilliant performance and netted one goal. Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema (2) also scored.

Di Maria played his first game following his injury

Varane, Marcelo and Kaka made the lineup. The team looked to resolve the match quickly and Ronaldo had the first chance only four minutes into the game. Kaka shot on target two minutes later, forcing goalkeeper Toño to clear the ball towards him again. The midfielder then headed it towards Ronaldo, who sent it into the net with a hedaer of his own. Real slowed down after the goal, but Racing continued to wait for them close to their box.

Benzema had a double shot in the 26th minute that Toño managed to clear on both counts. A few minutes later, Cisma was sent off with a double booking (38'), which inspired Madrid to speed things up. Marcelo and Benzema came close to scoring goals, but Toño saved the day again. The French striker tallied the second for his team in injury time with a subtle shot.

Real Madrid dominated the game completely after half-time. Kaka nearly netted a third from a shot that was marginally off target (47') and Racing started to attack more through Acosta and Babacar without posing much of a threat. Mourinho made Di Maria come on for Ozil amidst a standing ovation (62') and the change was soon followed by Khedira coming on for Granero (70').

The match lacked thrills for a while until Di Maria scored an amazing goal from a distance on the 72-minute mark. The Bernabeu roared in celebration and Mourinho decided to make Carvalho come on for Pepe, who also received a standing ovation.

Ronaldo nearly scored from a beautiful combined effort with Benzema, who eventually tallied the fourth from inside the box after the ball was deflected by Bernardo.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 76,000
Goals: 1-0 m.6: Ronaldo; 2-0 m.45: Benzema; 3-0 m.72: Di María; 4-0 m.90: Benzema.

Real Madrid 4 - 2 Levante (Spanish League Day 23)

Cristiano Ronaldo used all his weaponry tonight against Levante, tallying a hat-trick that, with another Benzema strike, gave Real Madrid a victory that keeps them ten points ahead from Barcelona on the league table.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored six hat-tricks this season

Granero and Higuain made the starting lineup, but the Whites conceded a Cabral header following a free-kick by Farinos on the 4-minute mark. Mourinho's men had to try to turn the score around and Higuain ended up hitting a post just a few minutes later (11'). Munua was forced to make a solid save by a spectacular Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick and Real Madrid continued having many opportunities to score. Levante's goalkeeper kept them at bay, making impressive saves again in the 25th and 37th minutes.

An aerial play that initially seemed inconsequential became decisive when Iborra concentrated more on pushing Higuain than on clearing the ball and ended up hitting it with his hands in the box. The penalty was taken and converted by Ronaldo just before half-time.

Real looked to finish things off quickly in the second half and Ronaldo scored again by heading in a great Higuain assist. The Portuguese striker wanted more and ended up tallying another with an amazing 23 metre shot, one of his best since he arrived in Spain. This spectacular goal made the crowd go wild and sing his name, while the player went straight to the coaching area to hug Mourinho and celebrate it with the rest of the bench.

Levante never gave up and, despite being down to ten men, tallied a second strike through a Kone header. Benzema pulled rank and enlarged the cushion with an impressive crossed shot from inside the box.

Callejon, Khedira and Kaka came on for Higuain, Granero and Ozil, and Real continued looking for more goals: Ozil hit the post in the 69th minute and Ronaldo came close to netting a free-kick in the final minutes.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 67,000
Goals: 0-1, m.4: Cabral. 1-1, m.44: Cristiano Ronaldo (pen). 2-1, m.50: Cristiano Ronaldo. 3-1, m.57: Cristiano Ronaldo. 3-2, m.63: Koné. 4-2, m.66: Benzema.