Osasuna 1 - 5 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 31)

Real Madrid showed just why they're the leaders in La Liga with an impressive 5-1 victory against Osasuna in Pamplona. Goals were scored by Cristiano Ronaldo (2), Gonzalo HIguain (2) and Karim Benzema, and the team overall gave a fearsome impression.

Benzema scored one of the best goals of Real Madrid this season

Albiol and Granero made the starting lineup and Benzema, Higuain and Ronaldo played together in attack. Real scored their first goal through a Benzema volley through the top corner of the goal seven minutes in. The Frenchman was assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo. Osasuna didn't seem to know how to react to this and hardly approached Casillas' goal, while the Whites continued to dominate and look for a counterattack with which to seal the match.

Cristiano Ronaldo controlled the ball on the 36-minute mark and scored from an impressive 30 meter shot that silenced the stands. It was his 36th strike in La Liga and it helped the Whites control the rest of the match thanks to the locals' weakness. Three minutes later, Granero served a long pass to Higuain and the Argentine easily defeated Andres (39').

With nothing left to lose, Osasuna went all out for a goal after half-time, and found it with a Nino header following a cross by Roversio (47'). Despite newfound confidence, Real Madrid continued playing a solid game and eventually scored again when a Ronaldo free-kick was deflected by Lekic (70').

There was more to come. Cristiano Ronaldo served a great ball to Higuain, who headed it in on the 77-minute mark to tally the team's 100th goal in the championship this season. Coentrao, Varane and Di Maria came on, the latter making his first appearance after a near two month injury.

Summary

Stadium: Reyno de Navarra
Attendance: 18,161
Goals: 0-1, m.7: Benzema. 0-2, m.36: Cristiano Ronaldo. 0-3, m.39: Higuaín. 1-3, m.47: Nino. 1-4, m.70: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-5, m.77: Higuaín.

Laying of Real Madrid Resort Island foundation stone

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Emir of Ras al-Khaimah, presided over the laying of the foundation stone of the Real Madrid Resort Island, a holiday resort to be developed in the United Arab Emirates. Over 200 guests and close to 100 media platforms from all over the world gathered in the event.

The objective is to open the resort in 2015 as the first holoday sports resort in Asia. Apart from Florentino Perez, the event was attended, representing the Real Madrid, Nicolas Martin-Sanz, member of the board of the club, Jose Angel Sanchez, General Director, Emilio Butragueno, Institutional relations Director, and Zinedine Zidane, Football first team Director.

It is expected to have one million visitors per year and will house a theme park, the first stadium open to sea, numerous sports facilities, a sports port, a residencial area and luxury hotels. One billion dollars have been invested in the project. Yesterday, was laid the foundation stone and the target is to open its doors in January 2015.

Florentino Perez stressed the importance that the project will have to increase the influence of Real Madrid in the Middle East: "Today is a special day for the entire Real Madrid family. Our presence in the Middle East and Asia no doubt makes us stronger, but it especially makes us more beloved. Real Madrid Resort Island will make all our supporters proud".

The president continues with his strategic plan to extend the Real Madrid all over the world: "Our club was born 110 years ago and it gradually became a universal legend. Real Madrid resort Island fits perfectly into our institution's global aspirations because we at Real Madrid firmly believe that frontiers shouldn't exist in football, nor in sports in general. We want to turn this splendind part of the world into a place that serves to make people from different nationalities come together through their fascination for sport, for football and for Real Madrid. We are honoured and proud for this, which we regard as a great challenge and for which we feel immense responsibility".

APOEL Nicosia 0 - 3 Real Madrid (UCL Quarterfinals 1st Leg)

APOEL stood their ground for 73 minutes against Real Madrid, never having a chance to score and always playing in their half of the pitch. The Whites resolved the situation in the final 15 minutes of the encounter with a brace by Benzema and a further strike from Kaka.

Kaka and Marcelo changed the game

Sahin was the new face on the starting lineup to replace the suspended Xabi Alonso, and Benzema and Higuain also played together in attack. APOEL pressurised in the opening minutes and tried to put danger over Casillas' goal as they were spurred by their fans. Real Madrid were calm and withstood this as they gradually started to control the match.

Chiotis saved a Benzema shot on the 8-minute mark and Ozil had a phenomenal chance three minutes later with a strong strike that was also cleared by the keeper. Cristiano Ronaldo also shot on target in the 27th minute, but Chiotis again saved the day.

Benzema missed the target practically on the goal-line after receiving it from Sahin (33'), and a Ronaldo crossed shot missed the target by inches ten minutes later.

Real Madrid kept possession after half-time and tried to accelerate their game in order to break the organised local defence. Benzema sent the ball over the crossbar in the team's first chance in the second half (47').

Kaka and Marcelo came on for Higuain and Coentrao (63') looking to speed things up and create more danger. A double Ozil and Ramos chance three minutes later was cleared by a defender and Benzema grazed one of the posts on the 69-minute mark.

Kaka managed to break the local barrier by sending the ball to the box, where it was headed in by Benzema (73'). The strike shattered local organisation and Mourinho's men used this to pursue more goals. Chiotis cleared a Ronaldo shot on the 75-minute mark. A few minutes later, Marcelo entered the box after a magnificent individual effort and served a great pass for Kaka to score the second. Granero came on for Sahin in the 84th minute and five minutes later Benzema sealed the match in an empty goal (89').

Summary

Stadium: GSP Nicosia
Attendance: 27,000
Goals: 0-1, m.73: Benzema. 0-2, m.82: Kaká. 0-3, m.89: Benzema.

Real Madrid 5 - 0 Real Sociedad (Spanish League Day 30)

Real Madrid showered Real Sociedad with goals and cemented their leadership in La Liga with strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo (who's tally with the team ascends to 101), Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain showed the way to a therapeutic victory

Varane and Kaka took the places of the suspended Pepe and Ozil in the starting lineup, and Mourinho opted to use Higuain and Benzema together in attack. Real Sociedad were wary and hardly attacked, while the Madridistas continuously looked to finish them off. Higuain scored a first-touch goal in the opening minutes after receiving a pass from Benzema (6').

Cristiano Ronaldo nearly tallied the second on the 28-minute mark and also two minutes after that, but his finishing touch was only slightly off on both counts. The Portuguese player eventually netted it in the 32nd minute by nutmegging Bravo.

Real Sociedad did what they could to keep the Whites at bay, but a third soon came when a ball cleared by Ramos was masterfully controlled by Benzema and sent to the net with a lobbed shot (40'). The visitors nevertheless managed to net a strike through a Xabi Prieto shot on the box line that went in after hitting Ramos in the head.

Khedira sent the ball to the box in the opening minutes of the second half and Benzema scored over Bravo (49'). Ronaldo netted a fifth a few minutes later when Higuain managed to serve him a ball on the goal-line (56').

The team relaxed a bit from then on and Real Sociedad managed to enter Casillas' box on occasion without posing much of a threat. A Griezmann shot was easily grabbed by the goalkeeper and Mourinho decided to make Sahin and Coentrao come on for Khedira and Benzema. The Portuguese player came close to tallying a sixth for the team, missing the target only by inches.

Youth teamer Jese replaced Ronaldo on the 80-minute mark and a couple of minutes later Varane's chance to score was cleared between the posts by a defender. The match started to die down in the final minutes with the Whites starting to concentrate on Tuesday's UCL match against APOEL.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance:
Goals: 1-0, m.6: Higuaín. 2-0, m.32: Cristiano. 3-0, m.40: Benzema; 3-1, m.41: Xabi Prieto; 4-1, m.49: Benzema; 5-1, m.56: Cristiano.

Launched the Real Madrid Resort Island

Real Madrid and the Government of Ras al-Khaimah presented the Real Madrid Resort Island in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Thursday afternoon. It is to be a touristic complex and theme park in the United Arab Emirates under the Real Madrid brand. The event was attended by President Florentino Perez and Dr. Khater Massaad, representative of the Government of Ras al-Khaimah and CEO of RAK Investment Authority. Jose Mourinho, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Football Director Miguel Pardeza, First Team Director Zinedine Zidane, Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño and former players Santamaria, Pachin and Amancio Amaro were also in attendance.

Presentation of the Real Madrid Resort Island

Florentino Perez talked about this new challenge for Real Madrid: "When the Real Madrid Resort Island opens its gates, visitors will become part of the legend o this club, which strives to be eternal and universal. We adhere our name and potential to a unique location, a strategic meeting place and a project of unprecedented dimension located less than four hours away by flight of 2,000 million people".

"Once again, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium serves as the starting point of a thrilling project. The world of sports and Real Madrid again prove to have no boundaries and that football is a fantastic tool with which to make different people and cultures come together. This team's fans are passionate wherever they may be and never give up. Their dreams motivate us on a daily basis".

"Santiago Bernabeu gave Real Madrid the unique capacity to go beyond this country's frontiers and those of us who administer this legacy are aware of the challenge that comes with handling what gave this club a mythical and legendary status. Real Madrid Resort Island will be a sports touristic complex of the highest level, covering 50 hectares in which tourism and sport will seduce millions of people in search of a quality leisurely activities".

Real Madrid Resort Island

"This is a decisive and strategic step that will enhance the strength of this institution in the Middle East and Asia, a key region in which the passion for this club has been apparent. Our collaboration grows increasingly stronger and we are proud of it. Real Madrid and the Government of Ras Al Khaimah want to transmit the passion of Real Madrid and what it means throughout the world".

Louis Armand de Rouge, RAK Participations & RAK Marjan Island Football CEO, and Dr. Khater Massaad analysed the Real Madrid Resort Island, explaining it will hold a theme park, the first stadium open to the sea, a Real Madrid museum, numerous sports facilities, a sport port, a residencial area and luxury hotels.

One billion US dollars have been invested in the project and it is expected to open in January 2015. It will be the first theme park on an artificial island to combine tourism and sports, and it will be the first recreational tourism complex built under the Real Madrid trademark.

Link

Villarreal 1 - 1 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 29)

Real Madrid were only able to take one point from the match against Villarreal, during which referee Paradas Romero sent off Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, fitness trainer Rui Faria and players Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil. The Whites took the lead with an amazing goal from Cristiano Ronaldo and conceded an equaliser in the final minutes of the encounter in a set piece that followed a dubious foul. Real Madrid are nevertheless leaders in La Liga with a six point lead.

The referee unsettled Real Madrid and Villarreal got the tie

Arbeloa played as right back and Lass in the centre of defence, leaving Kaka off the starting lineup. Villarreal pressurised at the start looking to net the opener, which was nonetheless nearly scored by Pepe from a header cleared by Zapata on the goal-line (9'). Nilmar had the clearest chance for the locals nine minutes later and forced Casillas to save the day with a stretch.

Real weren't dominating the encounter but created danger from set pieces and Pepe nearly netted a header on the 34-minute mark. Mourinho replaced Lass with Callejon in the 28th minute because he had a booking. Benzema took a shot with hardly an angle just before half-time and hit the outside of the net (42').

Altintop came on for Callejon in the second half due to the latter's injury following a late challenge by Bruno that the referee failed to see. Real Madrid started to dominate the encounter and looked for a goal, while the referee seemed more focused on their coaching area and eventually sent off fitness trainer Rui Faria (49'). Khedira missed the goal with a shot from outside the box in the 53rd minute that was followed by a Xabi Alonso free-kick that grazed the crossbar.

The Whites tallied their strike a few minutes later when Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled past goalkeeper Diego Lopez inside the box after receiving a spectacular heel pass from Ozil (61'). Villarreal suffered a blow and hardly entered Casillas' goal, and Khedira had a chance to seal the match with a shot that was cleared by Bruno between the posts (63').

Higuain came on for Benzema in the 76th minute and Villarreal looked for a goal of their own spurred by their fans. Altintop made a dubious foul outside Madrid's box on the 83-minute mark and the referee called it following his linesman's advice, even though he was just two meters away from the effort. Senna netted the equaliser from the ensuing free-kick and the referee, who always kept an eye on Real Madrid's bench area, then sent off Jose Mourinho.

Sergio Ramos saw a second yellow card in the 84th minute and Ozil was also sent off because, according to the referee in his report, he "scoffed the previous decision by applauding." Real madrid were down to nine men and didn't have time to react. Referee Paradas Romero was the unfortunate star of the encounter and made the players livid with his behaviour.

This match is over now and the Whites are still leaders with a six point cushion; they must now start preparing for Saturday's clash with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Summary

Stadium: El Madrigal
Attendance: 20,000
Goals: 0-1, m.61: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-1, m.83: Marcos Senna.

Real Madrid 1 - 1 Malaga (Spanish League Day 28)

Football was unfair with Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho's team deserved a victory against Malaga, who drew the score in injury time. Nevertheless, an eight point lead over the runners-up this far in the season is very solid.

Benzema's goal was not enough

Lass played as right back and Benzema started as centre forward. Malaga played brave tactics at the Bernabeu, moving the ball well and preventing Real Madrid from showcasing their full potential. They had the first chance through Rondon, but Casillas saved the day. Isco missed the target with a crossed shot on the 14-minute mark and from then on Mourinho's men started to dominate the match, with Benzema coming close to netting the opener in the 27th minute.

The French striker scored a few minutes later by heading in a Ronaldo cross (35'). Malaga continued to keep possession, but were less of a threat on the local goal.

The visitors lost speed after half-time and Madrid played a more solid game. They had more chances to score and Caballero made an impressive save of a curved Ronaldo shot a few minutes into the half.

Callejon came on for Kaka on the 66-minute mark and nearly scored a header two minutes later. Then, Ozil pulled off a spectacular effort that Benzema failed to finish off with everything going for him. Real Madrid were not able to kill the beast and gave Malaga wings to make a comeback.

Controversy took centre stage close to the end when the referee failed to award a penalty when Marcelo was clearly challenged inside the box (85'). Mourinho made Granero and Higuain come on and Mathijsen was then forced to clear a Callejon chance (89'). Cazorla managed to score the equaliser with a solid shot in injury time (91'), making Madrid drop two points in the game.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 75,000
Goals: 1-0, m.35: Benzema. 1-1, m.91: Cazorla

Real Madrid 4 - 1 CSKA Moscow (UCL Last 16 2nd Leg)

Real Madrid showcased their tremendous goal scoring skills against CSKA Moscow, defeating them 4-1 and reaching the Champions League quarterfinals.

CSKA needed at least one goal to stay alive in the competition and really looked for one in the opening minutes. Doumbia came close with a shot that grazed the crossbar (7'), forcing Real Madrid to react with a powerful Ronaldo strike that Chepchugov managed to save. Kaka also had a chance inside the box and narrowly missed the goal (17').

A shy CSKA Moscow was defeated at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The Whites dominated the encounter and Higuain tallied the first on the goal-line from an assist by Kaka (26'), but CSKA continued their search for a strike, forcing Casillas to send a long distance Musa shot to corner-kick (33'). Kaka served a good cross that Higuain failed to finish off just before half-time (44').

The Madridistas slowed the game down a bit in the second half while keeping possession and Crsitiano netted the second of the evening from a powerful shot from outside the box (54'). This was a harsh blow to the Russians and the locals used this to have more chances. Ronaldo served a great pass to Higuain inside the box, but the Argentine missed the ball by inches (63'), and a couple of minutes later the Portuguese striker nearly scored from a header that went over the crossbar. Doumbia had a clear chance for CSKA on the 66-minute mark, but his shot on goal missed the target even though Casillas was already defeated.

Benzema came on for Higuain (68') and scored the third goal from the first ball he touched after receiving a great pass from Ozil. Granero came on for Kaka soon after the strike (75'). With nothing left to lose, CSKA kept looking for a strike and were rewarded with an amazing long distance shot by Necid (80') when Real Madrid had somewhat relaxed. Lass came on for Ozil (85') and, just when everything seemed final, Cristiano Ronaldo tallied another goal on the goal-line thanks to a generous assist from Benzema (94').

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 75,000
Goals: 1-0, m.26: Higuaín; 2-0, m.54: Ronaldo. 3-0, m.70: Benzema. 3-1, m.80: Necid. 4-1, m.94: Ronaldo

Betis 2 - 3 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 27)

Real Madrid earned a record tenth straight victory on the road in La Liga by defeating Betis 3-2 tonight with goals by Ronaldo (2) and Higuain. The Whites suffered and were forced to turn the score around.

Ramos hugs Mourinho after a very difficult match

Pepe made the lineup after being suspended in last week's match. Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo and Higuain led the attack, but the locals put pressure up front and soon scored the opener through Jorge Molina.

Both teams played an offensive game and reached each other's boxes frequently , with Higuain netting the equaliser after receiving a fantastic long pass from Ozil (24’). Betis started to play a more defensive game and the Whites begand to dominate the encounter. Higuain and Ronaldo had two great chances to take the lead but the score was still drawn by half-time.

Referee Iturralde Gonzalez injured himself in the first half and was replaced by his fourth assistant after half-time. Both teams tried hard for a goal and Madrid took the lead through Ronaldo, whose shot following a Marcelo pass bounced off the ground and defeated the keeper (52'). Betis reacted quickly and Jefferson Montero netted an equaliser two minutes later, forcing Mourinho's men to make a comeback.

Marcelo nearly scored the winner on the 60-minute mark, but his shot was cleared by the keeper. The match became very intense with both sides looking to score a third, and a Ramos header from a corner-kick was saved by the goalie only to land at Ronaldo's feet, who netted the winner for the Whites (72').

Real had more possession from then on, but both sides kind of deflated due to the great effort they had made throughout the encounter. Granero and Callejon came on for Kaka and Higuain, and Cristiano had another chance to score but Fabricio cleared the shot once again. Benzema came on for Ozil in the final minutes and nothing much followed.

Summary

Stadium: Benito Villamarin
Attendance: 37,500
Goals: 1-0, M.10: Jorge Molina. 1-1, M.24: Higuaín. 1-2, M.52: Cristiano Ronaldo. 2-2, M.54: Jefferson Montero. 2-3, M.72: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid 5 - 0 Espanyol (Spanish League Day 26)

Real Madrid have scored 85 goals in 24 league games thanks to the five netted against Espanyol tonight, which also gave them a tenth straight victory in the championship. The Whites were superior throughout the encounter and thrilled their fans with an electrifying shower of goals at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid have scored 85 goals in 24 League games

Carvalho came on for the suspended Pepe and Real Madrid didn't have such an intense start to the match as usual, but Espanyol seemed weary and hardly managed to give two consecutive passes. Mourinho's men completely controlled the match and soon started to have chances. The first was a Ronaldo shot that grazed one of the posts (11'), followed by one by Kaka inside the box that was cleared by goalkeeper Casilla (19').

Real scored the opener two minutes later when Ozil stole the ball as Espanyol's defence had made a mess of a clearance, passed it to Higuain and the Argentine then left it for Ronaldo to nutmeg Casilla (21').

The goal spurred Real Madrid and an excellent combination between Ozil and Khedira ended in a strike by the latter that gave the locals a comfortable lead (38'). Higuain and Ronaldo nearly scored some more before half-time but were unlucky.

The second half couldn't have had a better start: Kaka entered the box after a long run and served a perfect assist for Higuain to tally the third. Espanyol completely deflated and Mourinho benched Carvalho, who already had one booking. Varane came on and Real continued to dominate the match. Casilla cleared another Ronaldo shot and the Portuguese striker later crossed the ball into the box, where it was picked up by Kaka and sent into the goal when the defence made a mess of its attempt to clear it (65').

Callejon came on for Ozil one minute later amidst exultant celebration in the stands. In the final minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo passed the ball to Morata looking to help him score, but Casilla sent the youth teamer's shot to corner (87').

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 77,000
Goals: 1-0, min. 23: Cristiano Ronaldo; 2-0, min. 38: Khedira. 3-0, min. 47: Higuaín. 4-0, min. 66: Kaká. 5-0, min. 78: Higuaín.