Ronaldo leads Madrid over Levante
Cristiano Ronaldo set up a goal and scored another in a three-minute span on Saturday to help Real Madrid defeat Levante 3-0 and take the provisional lead in the Spanish league.
Madrid was coming off two consecutive draws in the Spanish league, including a disappointing scoreless result against lowly Malaga in its last game at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Left back Marcelo opened the scoring after a nice give-and-go play with Ronaldo, who fed the Brazilian inside the area for a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Ronaldo added to the lead less than three minutes later from the top of the area, using two quick touches to set up a firm low shot that just barely beat Levante goalkeeper Ruben Martinez.
It was Ronaldo's sixth league goal and 11th in all competitions this season.
According to UEFA, it was Ronaldo's 324th goal with Madrid, allowing him to surpass Raul Gonzalez's mark as the club's all-time leading scorer, but Madrid credited its player with the feat when he scored in a game last month.
Rodriguez sealed the score on Saturday by clearing a defender inside the area and firing a left-footed shot into the top of the net.
Although Madrid dominated from the start under steady rain at the Bernabeu, Levante had a few good chances on counterattacks. But Keylor Navas was outstanding in goal again, making a few very difficult saves, including a remarkable one on a close-range header in the first half.
Real Madrid got the win despite playing with a depleted squad because of injuries. Coach Rafa Benitez was without defender Sergio Ramos, midfielder Luka Modric and striker Karim Benzema, who had scored six goals in as many league games this season.
Forward Gareth Bale, who was coming off an injury, was substituted at halftime.
Levante has only six points from eight matches and could drop to last place in the 20-teaam standings depending on other results this weekend.