Deportivo 0-2 Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo Nets Double As Real Miss Out On Title

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a first-half double as Real Madrid earned a 2-0 win at Deportivo but missed out on La Liga title.

Barcelona’s victory at Granada meant the Catalan giants secured their sixth La Liga title in eight seasons, but Real pushed them all the way after a fine showing at the Estadio Riazor.

Ronaldo was in the mood right from the off, and opened the scoring after just seven minutes, before heading a second, via a deflection, after 25 minutes. That makes it 51 goals for the season in all competitions – becoming the first player to score more than 50 goals at club level in six consecutive seasons in the process.

After the break, Ronaldo was brought off, with Luis Suarez too far ahead in the race for the Pichichi award, as Real strolled to victory, but for the fourth successive year La Liga success has eluded them.

The result never looked in doubt right form the off, as Real dominated possession, and with Ronaldo in this mood, there is simply no stopping him.

It took just seven minutes for Real to get themselves in front, with Bale heavily involved. The Wales international got to the byline, pulled the ball back for Benzema, who scuffed his shot, the loose ball fell to Ronaldo, who converted with his left foot.

Real continued to dominate the ball, and made it two 18 minutes later. Toni Kroos whipped in a corner, Ronaldo got up highest, but needed a flick off the back of Pedro Mosquera to ensure the ball found the net.

The Depor players were incredulous, and wanted a foul to be given against Gareth Bale, in front of Ronaldo, but the referee was having none of it.

Then, as Depor players stood expecting the offside flag to be raised, Ronaldo plucked the ball out of the air, flicked it around Stipe Pletikosa in the Depor goal, but saw the ball come back off the post.

Ronaldo hit the woodwork again after 34 minutes, with his powerful strike flicking off the top of the crossbar and flying over.

Zidane chose to rest Ronaldo, who appeared to take a knock in the first half, after the break, with the upcoming Champions League final in mind.

Real lacked much attacking vigour without their talisman, and had Keylor Navas to thank for preserving their clean sheet.

Lucas Perez was the first to be denied by the Costa Rica international, before Navas produced an even better stop to deny substitute Rober with his legs from point-blank range.

Down the other end, Marcelo was denied twice by Pletikosa as Real looked for a third, but with news of Barcelona’s continued dominance in Andalucia, the match petered out, as the success proved to be in vain.

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