Dutch double as Real cruise
Monday, December 17, 2007

Dutchmen Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder scored a goal each Sunday to lead Real Madrid over Osasuna 2-0 and re-establish its four-point lead at the top of Spain.

Van Nistelrooy found himself alone in front of goal in the 16th minute to easily power Sneijder's free kick into the top of the net. Sneijder capped a play sparked by Brazilian Robinho inside the Madrid half by curling a right-footed shot beyond the outstretched Ricardo Lopez in the 76th.

The victory guaranteed that Madrid, which has 38 points, will go into the two-week winter break as league leader regardless of the result of next Sunday's match at FC Barcelona.

On Saturday, Barcelona beat Valencia 3-0, but lost Argentine star Lionel Messi to injury, with the forward definitely out of the match against Madrid. Messi scored a hat trick when the team's last met in March, a 3-3 draw.

Madrid coach Bernd Schuster fielded an unchanged squad to the one that overran Lazio 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League.

Osasuna midfielder Jaroslav Plasic caused concern with his free kicks early, curling one wide before Miguel Flano headed long in the 13th as the visitors started confidently.

But a lapse in the defence saw Van Nistelrooy score his eighth goal to start the Santiago Bernabeu stadium's 60th anniversary well.

Flano headed another Plasic curler wide in the 24th, while Van Nistelrooy tested Ricardo Lopez from long range in the 30th.

After two near misses, Robinho capped a darting run in the 59th with a hard shot that Ricardo pushed wide.

Robinho was the catalyst for the second goal, dribbling around three players to set substitute Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez off. The Madrid midfielder then Van Nistelrooy, who dished off to his Netherlands teammate.