(1-0) 16' Aduriz, (1-1) 27' C. Ronaldo, (1-2) 57' C. Ronaldo, (1-3) 72' C. Ronaldo, (1-4) 81' Higuain
If Real Madrid end up snatching the league this year, they have one man to thank. Tonight Cristiano Ronaldo was absolutely inspired as he continued his one-man march to Liga glory. The Portuguese star dragged Real Madrid out of a sticky situation and into a position of complete dominance with three clinically taken goals. Mallorca, spurred on by a virtuoso display from West Brom reject Borja Valero (Xavi mark-two), peppered Iker Casillas' goal on several occasions during an impressive first half; Aritz Aduriz taking advantage of some slack defending to put Gregorio Manzanos side infront. Casillas had to be at his agile best to keep Mallorca out thereafter, which allowed Cristiano to break into stride and single-handedly destroy the islanders with three goals that mixed class with hunger and desire. If you study each goal, in what was a stunning hat-trick, every single strike required Ronaldo to stretch that extra inch to beat the keeper or the defender. It's exactly what has defined the former World Player of the Year during his career; a willingness to push himself that extra yard; to stick his body on the line in pursuit of trophies and footballing superstardom. If only he would drop the arrogance that goes with it.
Gonzalo Higuain ended his mini goal drought with the fourth, a gorgeous chip, as Real Madrid passed their potential banana skin with flying colours. I guess La Liga will now be decided on saturday at the Sanchez Pizjuan, as anything less than a win for Barca would put Madrid firmly in the driving seat. I just cannot envisage them dropping points against Bilbao at home nor Malaga away. Not with a freescoring Ronaldo involved. So with Sevilla coming into form at just the wrong time for Barcelona, Manuel Pellegrini could well end what has been a traumatic debut season (Alcorconazo or Lyonazo anyone?) with a trophy and a record Liga points haul; a record which Barca and Real Madrid have already surpassed, underlining their complete dominance of Spanish football.
Racing Santander 1 - 5 Sevilla
(0-1) 2' Negredo, (0-2) 20' Kanoute (p), (0-3) 46' Navas, (0-4) 48' Capel, (1-4) 61' Tchité, (1-5) 88' Negredo
This match was over as early as twenty minutes into the contest as a relegation-threatened Racing Santander wilted under a Sevilla onslaught. When Jesus Navas and Diego Capel are on-song out on the wings, Sevilla are a force to be reckoned with, as Barcelona will surely find out this weekend when they meet on saturday night. The win moved Sevilla up to fourth, with their Champions Leagues ambitions back on track, especially with Mallorca faltering. As for Racing Santander, stranded on 36 points, the last two matchdays are going to be nervous affairs. They need Sergio Canales more than ever before his trip down to Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid 3 - 1 Real Valladolid
(1-0) 43' Juanito, (2-0) 67' Jurado, (3-0) 73' Forlan, (3-1) 78' Sesma
Real Valladolid put up an admirable fight for 43 minutes, but once Juanito had struck the first for Atletico, Valladolid accepted the inevitability of defeat. Before that goal, Manucho, Borja and Diego Costa had chances to open the scoring but they were left to rue their profligacy as Atletico Madrid took charge in the second half. The defeat leaves Real Valladolid with one foot in La Segunda, as they will surely need to get something at the Camp Nou on the last day to stay up. We all know that's not going to happen.
(1-0) 78' Colunga (p)
While Espanyol were already practically guaranteed top flight football next year, Real Zaragoza followed suit with a controversial victory at La Romareda. Led by another stirring performance from young Ander Herrera, linked with Arsenal not too long ago, Real Zaragoza will avoid the ignomany of two years ago when they succumbed to relegation on the final day of the season, as they sank Espanyol by the one goal. They have infamous ref Iturralde Gonzalez to thank after he awarded them a dubious penalty which was cooly converted by Adrian Colunga. What a purchase Colunga has been.
Athletic Bilbao 1 - 1 Malaga
(1-0) 4' Toquero, (1-1) 20' Duda
Osasuna 3 - 1 Deportivo La Coruña
(1-0) 11' Camuñas, (1-1) 15' Riki, (2-1) 24' Pandiani, (3-1) 32' Juanfran
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