Tenerife 1-5 Real Madrid
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Gonzalo Higuain was the star of the show as Real Madrid recorded a sixth successive league with victory against Tenerife.
Higuain struck Madrid's opening two goals and, after Tenerife pulled a controversial goal back through Ayoze Garcia just after half-time, he then set up Kaka to make it 3-1.
Cristiano Ronaldo, from the penalty spot, and substitute Raul added further goals in the final 10 minutes as Madrid stepped up the pressure on leaders Barcelona's clash with Malaga later this evening.
Madrid suffered a scare in the first minute when Raul Albiol needed to throw himself in front of Alejandro Alfaro's close-range volley and Tenerife, who have picked up 18 of their 20 points this season at home, acquitted themselves well in the early stages.
In fact, Manuel Pellegrini's men had to wait until the 29th minute for their first decent opening - but it was coolly tucked away by Higuain.
Brazilian Marcelo did superbly to keep the ball in play near the halfway line and then skilfully beat his man before threading a perfect pass through to Higuain, who drilled a low first-time shot inside the far post.
Madrid almost saw their advantage wiped out within two minutes, though, as Alfaro brought a fine save out of Iker Casillas with a half-volley near the penalty spot.
The capital club survived that opportunity and they doubled their lead just before half-time, with Higuain again the hero.
Xabi Alonso sprayed the ball out to Ezequiel Garay on the right, and the Argentinian's pass to the edge of the area was perfect for his countryman to slide a low shot past Sergio Aragoneses for his 16th league goal of the campaign.
Madrid would have been delighted to have been two goals up at half-time but they were far from happy two minutes into the second half with the manner in which Tenerife pulled a goal back.
Nino's cross from the right was plucked out of the air by Casillas just ahead of Ayoze, but the momentum of the Tenerife player carried him into the Spain number one and jarred the ball loose and into the net.
The Madrid players appealed for a foul, but referee Rafael Ramirez Dominguez awarded the goal and Casillas' continued protests fell on deaf ears.
That could have been a key incident but, fortunately for Madrid, they restored their two-goal lead just 60 seconds later.
Higuain was again involved, slipping in Kaka for the Brazil international to fire a low shot past Aragoneses.
An exciting start to the second half continued when Tenerife had four efforts on goal in three minutes soon after, but none of Manolo Martinez, Ricardo Richi, Juanlu and Ayoze could make the most of their openings.
With Tenerife having little option but to push men forward, the door was opened for Madrid's all-star attack to take advantage on the counter-attack and Ronaldo and Higuain both came close to making it 4-1.
Ronaldo's attempted scoop over Aragoneses was just too close to the Tenerife goalkeeper, and when Higuain did manage to lob the home custodian, the ball rebounded back off the crossbar.
Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time though, after Rafael van der Vaart's shot struck Ezequiel Luna's hand.
There was controversy with Madrid's second penalty against Villarreal last week, with Alonso and Ronaldo arguing before the Spain international slotted home.
This time there was no dispute - especially with Higuain having been substituted seconds earlier - and Ronaldo stroked in his 13th league goal of the season.
That was not the end of the action and after Alfaro had struck the bar for Tenerife, Madrid completed the scoring when club captain Raul side-footed in Van der Vaart's pass in injury time. |
