Real Madrid score 5 to remain top in Spain

Madrid, Nov 9 (IANS) Spanish football giants Real Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 5-1 to remain top of the BBVA Primera Liga.

Real Madrid’s strike trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored in an entertaining game Saturday night, where Rayo probably deserved a better result given that they controlled the ball as much as their rivals and had as many shots on goal, reports Xinhua.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti gave a rare start to Keylor Navas in the Madrid goal and his side soon opened the scoring through Gareth Bale. Spanish defender Sergio Ramos made it 2-0.

Alberto Bueno gave Rayo hope before German international Tony Kroos made it 3-1 for Madrid and Benzema scored a fourth from an offside position after Rayo had a second goal ruled out and Ronaldo rounded off the night’s scoring to give his side a slightly flattering result.

Saturday kicked off with Luis Suarez coming off the bench to inspire a poor Barcelona side to a 2-1 win away to an Almeria team that has not won at home all season.

“The best thing about the game was the result,” admitted Barca coach, Luis Enrique afterwards.

Getafe and Elche produced a dull 0-0 draw, while Malaga came back from a goal down to defeat Eibar 2-1 thanks to goals from Juanmi and an Amrabat penalty three minutes from time.

Finally, Celta and Granada drew 0-0 in a rainswept Balaidos Stadium.