Ronaldo turns playmaker to lead Madrid past Bilbao 2-1
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo set up two goals to lead Real Madrid to a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao and a five-point lead in the Spanish league on Saturday.
The Portugal forward passed for Karim Benzema to open the scoring in the 25th minute after Bilbao dominated the opening stretch at San Mames Stadium.
Bilbao equalized through Aritz Aduriz's header in the 65th, but three minutes later Ronaldo flicked on a corner kick for Casemiro to finish off and restore the visitors' advantage for good.
"We won at a very difficult ground. We had to dig in but we played with real character," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. "It was extremely important to win today and keep on track. There are 11 games left in the league and every single one will be crucial."
Madrid has 65 points with second-placed Barcelona on 60 before the defending champions host Valencia on Sunday. Madrid will then also have a game in hand after next week's international break.
The loss ended Bilbao's home unbeaten streak at 13 games in the league, one short of a club record of 14 matches established in 1992.
Madrid spent long stretches in its half absorbing Bilbao's pressure brought by wingers Inaki Williams and Inigo Leque.
But Madrid's finishing proved the difference. As Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde put it: "They beat us with two moments of brilliance."
Midfielder Casemiro played a part in Benzema's goal when he spotted Ronaldo breaking down the left. Ronaldo received his long pass and squared the ball for Benzema to slot into the side of the net.
Benzema's goal put him in the top-10 La Liga scorers in Madrid's history with 119 goals in 237 matches. Ronaldo has the club record with 280.
Madrid had little trouble repelling Bilbao's crosses until Williams forced Keylor Navas to make a difficult save early in the second half.
Shortly after, Williams sped past Marcelo and crossed for Raul Garcia to head the ball back to the center of the six-yard box where Aduriz nodded it home.
Bilbao's push was deflated by Ronaldo, however, when he headed on a corner kick for Casemiro to control and tap in uncontested.
"I know what my duties in the team are and that's not scoring goals because there are more gifted players than me playing further forward," Casemiro said. "Having said that, if I can score, then all the better."
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ALAVES 1, REAL SOCIEDAD 0
Deyverson's goal just before halftime secured Alaves a win over regional Basque Country rival Real Sociedad.
Sociedad was left with 10 men from the 67th after Esteban Granero picked up his second yellow card.
With a second consecutive loss, Sociedad missed the chance to move into fifth place and lost ground on the top four spots that earn Champions League berths.
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EIBAR 1, ESPANYOL 1
Enrique Garcia headed in Pedro Leon's cross for Eibar in the 20th, before Espanyol midfielder Jose Jurado equalized shortly after halftime.
The splitting of the points did little to help both sides' hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.