New Delhi: The gap at the top of the Primera Division is cut to 10 points as Real Madrid brushed Sporting aside in a confident display.
Raul grabbed his 308th and 309th goals for Real Madrid on Sunday afternoon to surpass legend Alfredo di Stefano as the clubs leading goalscorer, and help inspire his side to an efficient win over Sporting Gijon.
In truth, Sporting were never in the contest, and Real's win cut the gap to league leader Barcelona to ten points, keeping their hopes of retaining their title alive.
First Half
Sporting were hoping to avenge their 7-1 demolition at the hands of Los Blancos at the beginning of the season, and their attacking outlook has been a breath of fresh air in the Primera Division this season.
Real Madrid were looking to continue their excellent unbeaten run in 2009, but they would have to do so without the influential Arjen Robben who missed out through injury.
Real Madrid started the match with the knowledge that with Barcelona's draw last night they could move to within ten points of the Blaugrana at the summit of the Primera Division, and they instantly gave Sporting problems.
Sergio Ramos was given the freedom of the right flank in the opening period, and he swung in a perfect cross on ten minutes that Gonzalo Higuain nodded inches wide of the post.
But just four minutes later, Los Merengues had secured the lead. Ramos once more volleyed in a vicious cross, and there was the irrepressible Raul to side-foot the ball into the corner of the net.He became a record-breaker in the process; an incredible achievement by one of football's living legends.
Indeed the Spaniard was revelling in his role playing in the hole just off the front two of Higuain and Huntelaar, and Sporting were struggling to monitor him. On the half-hour mark the 31-year old should have perhaps doubled his sides advantage, but his curling effort was clawed around the post by Sporting stopper Lafuente.
Los Merengues travelling support did not have to wait long to see their side move further ahead. Gonzalo Higuain leapt majestically to nod the ball into the path of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and the Dutchman coolly slotted the ball home to grab his first Madrid goal - will that prove to be the confidence boost that the 24-year old needs to kick start his career in Spain?
Real Madrid were completely dominant, clinically taking advantage of Sporting's open, and often naive, offensive style that left huge gaps for them to exploit. The home side had failed to test Casillas once in the opening period, and the match appeared to be as good as over before half-time.
Second Half
Sporting coach Manuel Preciado brought on Mate Bilic at the break in an attempt to reverse his sides fortunes, but Real Madrid weren't concerned - on 50 minutes they secured the points with a beautiful breakaway goal.
Gonzalo Higuain once more provided the assist, neatly back-heeling the ball into the path of Marcelo, who strode forward from the left to flick the ball cheekily over the advancing Lafuente for number three.
It was his first goal for Real Madrid, and he looked as surprised as anyone that he had managed to finish in such a composed manner.
Sporting were dead and buried - it was damage limitation for them at this point, having already been embarrassed once already by the champions this season.
This display should go a long way to silence those who have criticised Juande Ramos' side for being too conservative, and even boring to watch, because today they were free flowing and fantastic. On this form, they would have been potential title challengers had it not been for the form of their bitter rivals.
A perfect day for Ramos and Raul was confirmed on 76 minutes. Higuain, who had a hand in everything positive that Madrid produced today, struck a low shot that Lafuente spilled, and the poachers' instinct in Raul made sure he was in the right place to tap the ball home and rubber stamp Los Blancos superiority.
Was this a message to Bacrelona that there is a long way to go yet before Real Madrid will relinquish their title?
Goals:
Real Madrid:
Raul (15' & 76'), Huntelaar, (37'), Marcelo (49')
Teams:
Sporting: Lafuente, Soto, Gerard, Canella, Sastre, Camacho, Michel, Barral, Carmelo, Castro (Matabuena 56'), Moran (Bilic 45')
Real Madrid: Casillas, Cannavaro, Pepe, Heinze (Torres 60'), Ramos (Parejo 79'), Gago (Javi Garcia 70'), Diarra, Marcelo, Higuain, Huntelaar, Raul
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