Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was the scourge of AS Roma again as he inspired the hosts to a 2-0 win and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, scoring and setting up a goal Rodriguez to seal a 4-0 aggregate victory. The Portugal forward, top scorer in the competition this season with 13 goals, netted for the sixth time in three games in all competitions by finishing off substitute Lucas Vazquez's cross at the near post after 64 minutes. Four minutes later Ronaldo, who put Real on the way to a 2-0 win in the first leg of the last-16 tie with a stunning strike, released Rodriguez with a delicate pass and the Colombia forward prodded the ball between the legs of keeper Wojciech Szczesny. "It was a difficult game even though some people didn't expect it would be, but in the end we achieved our objective, which was to go through, and we didn't concede a goal," Real coach Zinedine Zidane told a news conference. Real's Keylor Navas kept his sixth straight … [Read more...] about Ronaldo leads Real Madrid into Champions League last eight
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Ronaldo secures Real Madrid’s Cup semi-final spot
Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a first-half goal as Real Madrid edged bitter city rivals Atletico 1-0 to reach the Spanish Cup semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate. Almeria had seen off Deportivo La Coruna 4-2 on aggregate in their last eight encounter. Ronaldo, the Spanish League's top scorer, found the target in the 23rd minute from eight yards. Xabi Alonso created the goal with a sweet, crossfield pass to Sergio Ramos who in turn found the unmarked Ronaldo. Atletico, last year's runners-up, were desperately disappointing and created few chances on their home ground having lost 3-1 in the first leg last week. Fran Merida had Atletico's best opportunity but fired weakly into the arms of Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 51st minute. Real's win came just hours after general manager Jorge Valdano Thursday denied reports of a rift between him and coach Jose Mourinho. "I have no problems at all with Mourinho," the Argentine told reporters. "Crazy things are being said. All this … [Read more...] about Ronaldo secures Real Madrid’s Cup semi-final spot
Real Madrid set up clash with Barca in Champions League semis
Real will fight for a final berth with another Spanish giant Barcelona, who have grabbed a place in last four after knocking off Shakhtar Donetsk 6-1 on aggregate on Tuesday. … [Read more...] about Real Madrid set up clash with Barca in Champions League semis
Under-pressure Pellegrini on Real Madrid ropes
MADRID, April 12, 2010 (AFP) - Manuel Pellegrini, having splashed out over 250 million euros in a desperate attempt to halt the Barcelona juggernaut, looks doomed to become Real Madrid's ninth coaching casualty since 2003. Already under pressure after dispiriting early exits from the Champions League and Kings Cup, the Chilean's future looked even more bleak on Sunday after his team's 2-0 home defeat to Barcelona in 'El Clasico'. The loss means Real trail champions Barcelona by three points in the title race with seven games left and could face another season without a trophy. After his summer spending spree - the bulk of it on Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo - Pellegrini was always going to be facing a severe test in his debut season, particularly as the Champions League final is to take place at their Bernabeu stadium. "I am not the one who has to talk about me staying on or about my qualities or what I have done," said Pellegrini. "I have mixed feelings of frustration and helplessness. … [Read more...] about Under-pressure Pellegrini on Real Madrid ropes
Ronaldo eyes Real Madrid 100-goal mark
Cristiano Ronaldo hit form with a hat-trick as Real Madrid tore apart Malaga 4-0 at the weekend and now he has his sights set on breaking the 100-goal mark for the Spanish giants against Villarreal. While his fellow strikers were scoring freely with Gonzalo Higuain having hit three consecutive hat-tricks -- including one for Argentina -- going into the Malaga game, Ronaldo had been going through a dry patch. His last goal in the league came almost a month ago against Rayo Vallecano but his three on Saturday put him joint top scorer on 10 goals with his rival at Barcelona, Lionel Messi. Ronaldo hit a 15-minute hat-trick during the first half and could have had another goal but saw a free-kick come back off the woodwork. "I am very happy with the three goals but obviously the key was the victory," said the Portuguese star, who now has 98 Real Madrid goals. "Some days you give assists and others you score, that is how a team works so I wasn't worried during the period when I … [Read more...] about Ronaldo eyes Real Madrid 100-goal mark