Ronaldo rises to the Real occasion

Ronaldo once again demonstrated that he is the best in the world when it comes to the big occasion as he almost single-handedly guided Real ...

Ronaldo once again demonstrated that he is the best in the world when it comes to the big occasion as he almost single-handedly guided Real Madrid to their 29th league title on a night of high drama in Spain.

With Real needing to beat Athletic Bilbao to win the championship, Ronaldo obliged with another match-winning display when it really counted.

The Brazilian Cup put his side ahead with a close-range strike after nine minutes and, after Bilbao had equalised, won the free kick that led to their second.

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When news began to filter through that second-placed Real Sociedad were winning at home to Atletico Madrid and closing in, nerves were starting to fray at the Bernabeu but a brilliant second goal from Ronaldo settled matters.

Timing his run to perfection, Ronaldo latched on to a pass from Zinedine Zidane and belted the ball past Bilbao keeper Aranzubia to score his 23rd league goal of the season.

It was a first domestic league title for Ronaldo, who scored 34 league goals for Barcelona in the 1996-97 season but had to settle for the runners-up spot behind Real in the league.

A tally of 23 league goals looked a distant target when he arrived from Inter Milan in a $44.2 million transfer.

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His eight goals in South Korea and Japan, including two in the final, had made him the competition’s top scorer and proved that he was back to something like his best after career-threatening injury problems.

Real’s move for the Brazilian striker was still a huge gamble, though, with many questioning whether he could reproduce his World Cup form on a regular basis. (Reuters)

‘Del Bosque showers praise on his players for title

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque heaped praise on his team but was typically modest about his own contribution after a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao gave them a 29th league title on Sunday. “The team has made an extraordinary effort throughout this season and we’re delighted at winning a 29th title,” Del Bosque told radio station Onda Cero. “What with the Champions League, the (King’s) Cup and international matches it has been a very long and a very hard season. “I’M Just glad to have done my little bit, but the people who should get the real praise are the players.” Real clinched the title thanks to a well-taken double from World and European Player of the Year Ronaldo and a thunderous free kick from Roberto Carlos.(Reuters)

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