C. Ronaldo scores twice as Real Madrid seals win

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-21 09:41

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid strolled to a comfortable win over newly promoted Xerez in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

C. Ronaldo scores twice as Real Madrid seals win

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal against Xerez during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadiun in Madrid September 20, 2009.[Agencies]

The Portuguese international, whose transfer fee was 10 times greater than Xerez's budget for the entire season, opened the scoring after just 45 seconds.

He ran across the Xerez defense with no opposition and fired a diagonal shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Madrid threatened to run away with the result for the next 10 minutes, but failed to add a second before Xerez began to find its feet.

The pace of the game was very slow allowing the Primera Liga new boys to organize the defence and they looked comfortable until half time, although Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal was never threatened.

The second half saw more of the same and the Madrid fans were starting to get restless when Ronaldo headed the second from a corner after 75 minutes.

That goal opened the floodgates. Guti added a third three minutes later and a disappointing Karin Benzema scored the fourth with nine minutes left.

Goal number five came courtesy of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who was making his first appearance after suffering a knee injury last year.

Athletic Club Bilbao kept up its 100 percent start to the season with an impressive 3-2 home win against Villarreal.

Fernando Llorente scored twice for the Basques and Javi Martinez added the third, while Cani and Santi Cazorla kept Villarreal in the game.

Meanwhile Valencia wasted a chance to join Athletic, Real Madrid and Barcelona with three wins from three matches at the top of the table after drawing 2-2 at home to 10-man Sporting Gijon.

David Villa scored twice against the club where he began his career as Valencia came from a goal.

David Barral opened the scoring for the visitors, but Villa's goals in the 22nd and 60th minute put his side ahead only for Gregorio to level from a corner in the last minute of the game.

Almeria claimed its first win of the season thanks to its first goal of the season, Michel Macedo's 49th minute strike confirmed a 1-0 win against Getafe.

Finally Valladolid won 2-1 in Zaragoza: Sisi and Marquitos scored for the visitors and Jorge Lopez for the home side.