Ten points on top
Racing Santander 0-2 Real Madrid
April 20, 2008 -Real Madrid fought hard, defended flawlessly, and efficiently put away another early goal by the grand captain Raúl. The second of the evening was hammered home by Gonzalo Higuaín and put the finishing touch on an all-out display of beautiful teamwork. With five matches to play, these three golden points put Real Madrid ten points ahead of second-place Villarreal.
Not an empty seat at El Sardinero on Sunday as Racing Santander aimed for a spot in Champions League action against Real Madrid, whose defensive line comprised of Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, and Heinze we hadn’t seen since it took the pitch at the Camp Nou. In the midfield, Diarra replaced Guti, who was suspended after being booked last weekend.
Seventeen for '7'
Knowing full well what was at stake, it was clear both sides had brought their game faces as they walked out of the tunnel. The midfield received most of the action, where Gago contested every ball that came his way and Sneijder staged his breakaways into the final third. The Madridistas concentrated a large part of their attack along the left flank, which Robben and Robinho continuously took turns exploiting. Not even a quarter hour had ticked off the clock when the Brazilian curled in a low shot which Raúl flicked into the back of Racing’s net.
It was a crucial goal for the leader, who rather than ease up on the gas displayed its unity and teamwork by committing to every play and talking and cheering each other on. Racing nearly pulled even just short of halftime, but the Zamora Trophy’s number one candidate, Iker Casillas, managed to clear Tchité’s shot with his right leg.
The Whites couldn’t celebrate quite yet, as the hosts were known for strong second-half performances. Staving off one offensive series after the next, the Madridistas fell back on a brilliant counterattack strategy which eventually sealed the victory. Robinho had a chance in the 60th minute and Robben in the 77th, but it was Higuaín who added the icing on the cake in the final minute of injury time with a left-footed strike following an assist by Javier Balboa. All-out celebrations by the players, bench, and coaching staff, who all know the league is within arm’s reach.
MATCH REPORT:
Racing Santander: Toño; Pinillos, Moratón, César Navas, Ayoze; Jorge López, Duscher, Colsa (Orteman, min.81), Serrano (Smolarek, min.57); Munitis (Pablo Álvarez, min.65) and Tchité.
Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze; Gago, Diarra, Sneijder (Baptista, min.89), Robinho (Higuaín, min.75); Robben (Balboa, min.86) and Raúl.
REFEREE: César Muñiz Fernández. Booked Serrano (min.17), Moratón (min.34), Tchité (min.49), Pinillos (min.51), Cannavaro (min. 80).
GOALS:
0-1, 13': Raúl.
0-2, 90': Higuaín.
NOTES: Matchday 32 of the Spanish League. The Santiago Bernabéu paid tribute to futsal side Interviú Fadesa, who recently won their fourth consecutive Futsal Intercontinental Cup.
Match report by Cristina Monge
Translation by Matthew Goltz
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