Osasuna 1 - 5 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 31)

Real Madrid showed just why they're the leaders in La Liga with an impressive 5-1 victory against Osasuna in Pamplona. Goals were scored by Cristiano Ronaldo (2), Gonzalo HIguain (2) and Karim Benzema, and the team overall gave a fearsome impression.

Benzema scored one of the best goals of Real Madrid this season

Albiol and Granero made the starting lineup and Benzema, Higuain and Ronaldo played together in attack. Real scored their first goal through a Benzema volley through the top corner of the goal seven minutes in. The Frenchman was assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo. Osasuna didn't seem to know how to react to this and hardly approached Casillas' goal, while the Whites continued to dominate and look for a counterattack with which to seal the match.

Cristiano Ronaldo controlled the ball on the 36-minute mark and scored from an impressive 30 meter shot that silenced the stands. It was his 36th strike in La Liga and it helped the Whites control the rest of the match thanks to the locals' weakness. Three minutes later, Granero served a long pass to Higuain and the Argentine easily defeated Andres (39').

With nothing left to lose, Osasuna went all out for a goal after half-time, and found it with a Nino header following a cross by Roversio (47'). Despite newfound confidence, Real Madrid continued playing a solid game and eventually scored again when a Ronaldo free-kick was deflected by Lekic (70').

There was more to come. Cristiano Ronaldo served a great ball to Higuain, who headed it in on the 77-minute mark to tally the team's 100th goal in the championship this season. Coentrao, Varane and Di Maria came on, the latter making his first appearance after a near two month injury.

Summary

Stadium: Reyno de Navarra
Attendance: 18,161
Goals: 0-1, m.7: Benzema. 0-2, m.36: Cristiano Ronaldo. 0-3, m.39: Higuaín. 1-3, m.47: Nino. 1-4, m.70: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-5, m.77: Higuaín.

Laying of Real Madrid Resort Island foundation stone

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Emir of Ras al-Khaimah, presided over the laying of the foundation stone of the Real Madrid Resort Island, a holiday resort to be developed in the United Arab Emirates. Over 200 guests and close to 100 media platforms from all over the world gathered in the event.

The objective is to open the resort in 2015 as the first holoday sports resort in Asia. Apart from Florentino Perez, the event was attended, representing the Real Madrid, Nicolas Martin-Sanz, member of the board of the club, Jose Angel Sanchez, General Director, Emilio Butragueno, Institutional relations Director, and Zinedine Zidane, Football first team Director.

It is expected to have one million visitors per year and will house a theme park, the first stadium open to sea, numerous sports facilities, a sports port, a residencial area and luxury hotels. One billion dollars have been invested in the project. Yesterday, was laid the foundation stone and the target is to open its doors in January 2015.

Florentino Perez stressed the importance that the project will have to increase the influence of Real Madrid in the Middle East: "Today is a special day for the entire Real Madrid family. Our presence in the Middle East and Asia no doubt makes us stronger, but it especially makes us more beloved. Real Madrid Resort Island will make all our supporters proud".

The president continues with his strategic plan to extend the Real Madrid all over the world: "Our club was born 110 years ago and it gradually became a universal legend. Real Madrid resort Island fits perfectly into our institution's global aspirations because we at Real Madrid firmly believe that frontiers shouldn't exist in football, nor in sports in general. We want to turn this splendind part of the world into a place that serves to make people from different nationalities come together through their fascination for sport, for football and for Real Madrid. We are honoured and proud for this, which we regard as a great challenge and for which we feel immense responsibility".

APOEL Nicosia 0 - 3 Real Madrid (UCL Quarterfinals 1st Leg)

APOEL stood their ground for 73 minutes against Real Madrid, never having a chance to score and always playing in their half of the pitch. The Whites resolved the situation in the final 15 minutes of the encounter with a brace by Benzema and a further strike from Kaka.

Kaka and Marcelo changed the game

Sahin was the new face on the starting lineup to replace the suspended Xabi Alonso, and Benzema and Higuain also played together in attack. APOEL pressurised in the opening minutes and tried to put danger over Casillas' goal as they were spurred by their fans. Real Madrid were calm and withstood this as they gradually started to control the match.

Chiotis saved a Benzema shot on the 8-minute mark and Ozil had a phenomenal chance three minutes later with a strong strike that was also cleared by the keeper. Cristiano Ronaldo also shot on target in the 27th minute, but Chiotis again saved the day.

Benzema missed the target practically on the goal-line after receiving it from Sahin (33'), and a Ronaldo crossed shot missed the target by inches ten minutes later.

Real Madrid kept possession after half-time and tried to accelerate their game in order to break the organised local defence. Benzema sent the ball over the crossbar in the team's first chance in the second half (47').

Kaka and Marcelo came on for Higuain and Coentrao (63') looking to speed things up and create more danger. A double Ozil and Ramos chance three minutes later was cleared by a defender and Benzema grazed one of the posts on the 69-minute mark.

Kaka managed to break the local barrier by sending the ball to the box, where it was headed in by Benzema (73'). The strike shattered local organisation and Mourinho's men used this to pursue more goals. Chiotis cleared a Ronaldo shot on the 75-minute mark. A few minutes later, Marcelo entered the box after a magnificent individual effort and served a great pass for Kaka to score the second. Granero came on for Sahin in the 84th minute and five minutes later Benzema sealed the match in an empty goal (89').

Summary

Stadium: GSP Nicosia
Attendance: 27,000
Goals: 0-1, m.73: Benzema. 0-2, m.82: Kaká. 0-3, m.89: Benzema.