Real Betis vs Real Madrid. Spanish La Liga.
Benito VillamarinAttendance37,209.
Saturday 15 October 2016 22:39, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo capped a stunning 6-1 victory over Real Betis to take Real Madrid second in La Liga and end their winless run.
Marcelo softened the blow of Sergio Ramos' month-long lay-off by returning to the team with a goal, while Isco scored twice in a confident display from the European champions.
Karim Benzema scored just his third goal of the season following Raphael Varane's opener, as Betis could only manage a consolation goal through Alvaro Cajedo.
Real Madrid remain behind rivals Atletico on goal difference but moved two points clear of Barcelona, who won 4-0 at home to Deportivo La Coruna.
Marcelo returned to the Madrid side after three games out and was made captain in place of the injured Ramos, who has joined Casemiro, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez on the sidelines.
It took just four minutes for Madrid to go ahead though, as Toni Kroos swung in an inviting free-kick from the left-hand side which Varane nodded into the far corner.
Moments later Ronaldo could have made it two though. The Portugal captain somehow put the ball over the bar from just yards out after being found at the back post by Isco.
Betis manager Gus Poyet was an animated figure on the touchline, with the former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder almost receiving a caution after complaining when Real were awarded a throw-in despite cannoning the ball off the referee's head and out of play.
It didn't knock Madrid though, who continued with a barrage of attacks, with Gareth Bale hurling Betis defenders in his wake to meet a Marcelo cross with a diving header that hit the post before bouncing back off goalkeeper Antonio Adan for a corner.
Betis offered little in response and Joaquin, who was their most potent threat, gave the ball away cheaply in his own half to Kroos on 31 minutes, who committed the entire Betis defence before setting up Benzema to finish in the bottom corner.
Eight minutes later it was three as Marcelo fortunately had the ball at his feet following a deflected shot from Benzema. Despite looking offside, he placed the ball beyond Adan for their third.
On the stroke of half-time Madrid produced a stunning counter-attacking goal, which saw Pepe, Mateo Kovacic and Ronaldo link up before Isco scored from close range.
Betis offered a brief glimpse of hope after the break when Joaquin's flick found the onrushing substitute Cejudo, who slotted past Keylor Navas in goal.
But in the 62nd minute Isco curled a well-placed shot into the top right-hand corner of the Betis goal to make it five after Ronaldo's cross eventually ended at his feet.
Despite missing an open goal earlier in the game Ronaldo finally sealed the emphatic win after charging through four Betis defenders 12 minutes from time before firing low into the bottom corner to give Madrid their first win in five games.
