Four-goal Madrid establish 13-point lead
Saturday, February 18, 2012
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Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid CF put four without reply past ten-man Real Racing Club, their 20th Liga win this term, to increase their sizeable lead over FC Barcelona.
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Two goals from Karim Benzema and one apiece from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ángel Di María helped Real Madrid CF to a 4-0 victory against ten-man Real Racing Club and a 13-point lead at the Liga summit.
The Merengues' preparations for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg against PFC CSKA Moskva got off to the perfect start when Ronaldo headed in his 28th goal of the season from a Kaká assist after six minutes.
Domingo Cisma (39) had already been sent off for two bookings by the time Benzema chipped in the second before the break. Substitute Di María, making his first appearance since 17 December, rifled in number three 17 minutes from time, before Benzema (89) added further gloss. FC Barcelona will trim Madrid's lead if they overcome Valencia CF on Sunday.
Earlier, fourth-placed RCD Espanyol drew 1-1 at Getafe CF, whose equaliser came via Miku's 70th-minute penalty, shortly after Álvaro Vázquez had edged the visitors ahead. Espanyol defender Ernesto Galán was dismissed nine minutes from time. Sevilla FC climbed three places to tenth thanks to a 2-0 victory against CA Osasuna in the late fixture.