Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid extend their lead at the top of La Liga after scoring a brace to beat Sporting Gijon 2-1 on Saturday. Ronaldo bagged two goals in the first half of a game played under heavy rain at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlos Carmona hit back for relegation-threatened Sporting just before half-time, as the visitors gave Real more than one scare. Gijon even missed a penalty inside the final 15 minutes when Duje Cop fired high and wide from the spot.
By holding on, Los Blancos stretch their lead to seven points over bitter enemy Barcelona, who play on Sunday.