Ronaldo rescues Real Madrid in Barcelona
Ronaldo answered his critics in the best possible way with a superb equaliser for ten-man Real Madrid at Barcelona last night.
Barca were left rueing missed chances after they dominated their bitter rivals who had Roberto Carlos sent-off mid-way through the first half at the Nou Camp.
Ronaldinho had put Barca ahead from the penalty spot off after Mark van Bommel was adjudged to have been upended by Roberto Carlos in a contentious decision.
With Madrid left with what appeared a mountain to climb, Ronaldo struck on the counter-attack and earned his side a draw although the capital club failed to trim Barca's 11-point Primera Liga lead.
Against the run of play Real found their way back into the game through the Brazilian.
The striker was at one time accustomed to receiving an ovation from the Nou Camp crowd when he scored but this time there was silence.
He latched onto a pass from Julio Baptista and, after outpacing Thiago Motta, chipped the ball delicately over Victor Valdes.