Real Madrid Earns 20th League Victory

Real Madrid (6' Cristiano, 42', 89' Karim Benzema, 73' Ángel Di Maria) 4 - 0 Racing Santander

Real Madrid faced Racing Santander tonight at the Bernabéu with every intention of defending their 10-point lead in the tables over runners-up, FC Barcelona.  Los Blancos also sought to continue their winning streak, their side being the only side in the Primera Division to win all of its games in 2012.  Twenty-one men were called up for duty, including Castilla's Tomas Mejias.  Álvaro Arbeloa, a regular starter, was not included due to his suspension.  While Santander ranked 18^th in the tables, it would have been a grave mistake on José Mourinho's part to underestimate them.  Ever since Juan José González took over Santander in Jornada 14, the team transformed itself for the better, having lost one of their last nine games.

Los Blancos attacked on the get-go, putting a lot of pressure on Santander's defensive line.  Cristiano Ronaldo headed a ball at the 5' minute mark only to have it hit the post.  Not to worry.  Cristiano got his goal a minute later, Kaká at the assist with a headed pass, and opened up the score sheet with another header.  This time, much to our fortune, the ball sailed into the top left corner.  Santander's goalkeeper, Toño, looked visibly displeased.  On a side note, Cristiano's goal tonight was his 114^th for the club.  ¡Felicidades, crack!  This goal brings him level with the legendary Juanito as the 14^th highest scorer in Real Madrid history. 

Forty minutes and two yellows, which forced red, later – this, um, honor went to Santander's Domingo Cisma each time for handballs – the men in white earned their second of the evening.  Karim Benzema scored with a left-footed shot to the center of the goal, Xabi Alonso with the assist following a set piece.  In addition, Santander collected another yellow at the 45'+1' mark, Álvaro González earning it for a bad foul.  Real Madrid went into halftime with a 2-0 lead over the visiting team.  Surely Mourinho was satisfied with their performance, as he should, with his side leading in goals and ball possession.

RM completely dominated the game in the 2^nd half.  Kaka nearly netted a third for the home side at the 49' with a right-footed shot, but the midfielder was marginally off target to the left.  Ángel Di María was brought in at the 63' as a sub for Mesut Özil, who earned some well-deserved rest... being the player with most number of assists in La Liga this season.  The Bernabéu welcomed Di María back with open arms, giving him a standing ovation after having been gone for some time due to injury.  This match against Santander was the Argentine's 50^th league appearance with los Blancos.

The rest of the half remained quite lackadaisical until Di María scored at the 73' with a left-footed shot to the top left corner, Xabi Alonso at the assist.  The team and all of Bernabéu celebrated with him.  What a wonderful comeback, no?  ¡Estamos orgullosos de ti, Angelito!

Cristiano teamed up with Benzema with hopes of netting, their attempts not resulting in anything.  Benzema earned Real Madrid's 4^th with a right-footed shot to the top right corner, Sami Khedira – who had come on as a sub for Esteban Granero – at the assist.  This would be the French international's second goal of the evening.

And then Madridistas everywhere gasped.  Di María went down, clutching his ankle.  Our darling had just gotten back from injury.  We did not want him to disappear again.  Medics came out on the pitch.  A stretcher was brought over.  Di María looked uncomfortable and in mild pain.  The match continued with a few minutes of added time due to the delay, with no real result.  Los Blancos defeated Santander 4-0, putting themselves 13-points above FC Barcelona in the tables... for now.

Real Madrid faces CSKA Moscow this Tuesday, February 21^st, in the UEFA Champions League.  They will play the 1^st leg away in Moscow at Luzhnik Stadium.  Their next La Liga Match will be against Rayo Vallecano in an away match at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Sunday the 26^th.  Until then, ¡Hala Madrid!

Written by Gail Hidalgo