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| May 26, 2003 | Monday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 23,1424 |
Ronaldo puts Real back on top
MADRID, May 25: A classy double from Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 2-1 win over Valencia that saw them return to the top of the table on Saturday as title rivals Deportivo Coruna slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Celta Vigo.
The results mean that Real lead the first division on 71 points, two ahead of Real Sociedad, although the Basque side can reclaim top spot if they win their match at Malaga on Sunday.
Deportivo, who led the table two weeks ago, are now in third place on 66 points, and with just three games left to play Javier Irureta’s side have to rely on major slip-ups by their two rivals if they are to have a chance of taking the title.
Celta’s victory means that they gain the edge in the race for the final Champions League berth and move a point ahead of Valencia.
World and European Player of the Year Ronaldo lived up to his billing with a sparkling performance at the Mestalla.
The Brazilian opened the scoring on 26 minutes with a rare headed goal, lurking among the Valencia defence before nodding in a swirling Luis Figo cross.
Valencia struck back six minutes later when midfielder Fabio Aurelio guided in past keeper Iker Casillas after slick work by Pablo Aimar and John Carew.
But Ronaldo sealed a precious away victory for Vicente del Bosque’s side with a brilliantly taken winner midway through the second half.
Controlling a long ball from Figo with his toe, the Real striker burst past Valencia defender Miroslav Djukic, rounded keeper Santiago Canizares and clipped home to score his 19th goal of the season.
A last gasp penalty from striker Ismael Urzaiz allowed Athletic Bilbao to scramble a 2-1 win over Racing Santander and increase their chances of claiming a UEFA Cup spot.
Results:
Athletic Bilbao 2 Racing Santander 1
Atletico Madrid 3 Villarreal 2
Celta Vigo 3 Deportivo Coruna 0
Rayo Vallecano 0 Osasuna 0
Valencia 1 Real Madrid 2
Matches played on Sunday:
Espanyol 3 Alaves 1
Real Mallorca 1 Sevilla 3
—Reuters
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