Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting Gijon

“It will be tougher than what most people think”, Zidane said. “It’s an achievement by the whole team”. Things happen when you play.

100 – Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 100 braces for Real Madrid in his career, in all competitions.

Gijon coach Abelardo Fernandez wants his side to rise to the challenge on Saturday, having lost all but two of the previous nine league games.

Bale has seven goals for Madrid this season, forming an ideal strike partner with Cristiano Ronaldo.

In pouring rain at the Bernabeu, the game became very scrappy in the second half, and Sporting might have equalised late on, but Croatia worldwide Duje Cop skied a penalty over the crossbar. “We lacked a bit of everything but we’re happy with the three points, which is the most important thing”, Real coach Zinedine Zidane told reporters.

Striker Alvaro Morata and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos are still injured, while Gareth Bale has had tests to determine the extent of the ankle injury he sustained at Sporting.

Ronaldo converted the penalty given in the 5 minute of the game when Lucas Vazquez was tripped in the penalty box by a Gijon defender.

Sevilla, who lacked their usual fluency without the playmaking talents of Samir Nasri, had enough about them to grab a victor when Nico Pareja restored their lead in the 75th minute and Jorge Sampaoli’s men just about hung on.

Sevilla recovered from their midweek defeat in the Champions League with a 2-1 home win over Valencia thanks to an own goal from Ezequiel Garay and a shot from Nico Pareja following a corner 15 minutes from time.

Sporting Gijon have failed to win their last 13 away matches (LaLiga).

Wales are now third in Group D. Wales had four points adrift of leaders Ireland and two points behind Serbia. Ronaldo scored five goals in 100 minutes of play, grabbing two in the first 18 of Real Madrid’s match with Sporting on Saturday after a big performance in his previous match. Its effort proved fruitless as Ontiveros netted the late victor.

“We made it hard for ourselves, but we can only be happy as we remain top of the table and have kept our good run going”.