Late double from Ronaldo seals Real win over Celta

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 07, 2014, 02:04

  

Barcelona: A late double from Cristiano Ronaldo put the gloss on a stuttering performance from Real Madrid as they beat Celta Vigo 3-0 to cut the gap at the top of La Liga to five points.

The pressure was on Real with leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid having already won their first matches of the year.

Real struggled to fire in attack with Ronaldo quiet and record signing Gareth Bale only on the bench.

Bale was eventually introduced by coach Carlo Ancelotti and Real`s pressure told when Karim Benzema made the breakthrough midway through the second period.

Ronaldo poked in Real`s second after 82 minutes and then thumped in his second of the night from Bale`s cross for his 400th career goal.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid lead the table on 49 points after beating Elche and Malaga respectively.

Reuters --------------------- ZEENEWS.com