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Celta de Vigo Vs. Real Madrid, La Liga 2013: Ronaldo Scores Twice, Gives Madrid The Win

Real Madrid earned an sloppy win in Vigo thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese player scored twice, and his team could've had a much more comfortable lead without Javi Varas' brilliant performance. Marcelo and Benzema showed some improvements from their recent form, and those are good news for Real Madrid as the Champions League Quarterfinals get closer.

Denis Doyle

It was good to see Marcelo and Benzema playing well once again. Both players, who were starters last season, weren't comfortable on the pitch lately, but Marcelo has lost some weight and Benzema created two very good chances for his teammates. They should be important this next few weeks in order to completely regain form for the big games ahead.

Mourinho decided to rest Alonso, Ramos, Coentrao, Varane and Arbeloa this match, so the defensive line was formed by Essien, Pepe, Albiol and Marcelo (sporting Real Madrid's armband). Unfortunately for them, Celta started the match well and only Diego López's saves prevented them from scoring. After the first 20 minutes, Real Madrid woke up and played better, but Celta's goalkeeper Javi Varas also showed what he is capable of.

The game reached the 45-minute mark with a goalless score, and Mourinho left Khedira on the bench and placed Xabi Alonso on Modric's side. Alonso improved Real's play, but Madrid scored their first goal sloppily. Callejón found the ball outside the box off a corner-kick and shot. The ball was touched by a Celta defender and fell right in Cristiano Ronaldo's feet, so the Portuguese player pushed it in.

Shortly after, Celta equalized with yet another strange goal by Iago Aspas. Pepe tried to block his shot but he only distracted Diego López, who tried to keep it out of the goal but couldn't reach it. Mourinho then introduced Kaká and Higuaín for Benzema and Callejón. It was Kaká the man who suffered a foul by Varas inside Celta's box in what was an easy call for the referee. Cristiano converted the penalty and the team never looked back.

It's true that Celta still created some danger, as they are desperately trying to get away from La Liga's relegation zone. Park hit the cross bar after a bad move by Diego López, but the Galician team never scored the equalizer and let Madrid walk away from Vigo with the three points.

Real Madrid will now have a full week of good training sessions that should improve the team's playing going into some bigger matches. If Benzema and Marcelo keep playing like this, los blancos will have more arguments to compete for the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

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