Real Madrid cruised to a 3-1 victory at last-place Real Zaragoza to keep the pressure on Barcelona, which must beat Real Sociedad later Sunday to stay Spanish leader. Zaragoza had chances early at La Romareda stadium but Madrid took control with Oezil's 15th-minute goal as the Germany playmaker capped a quick breakout by tucking a shot from the right under Leo Franco. A brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick put Real 2-0 up at half-time and Angel Di Maria gave visitors a third goal just after the break, making Gabi's goal for Zaragoza nothing more than a consolation.
Madrid started slowly, with Zaragoza attacking from kick off and going close when Lafita drilled a low shot inches wide with Iker Casillas beaten. But Los Merengues took the lead on the quarter hour as Ozil finished off a scintillating counter-attack, drilling low under Leo Franco after Marcelo’s superb cross-field pass freed him down the right.
Karim Benzema, who netted a hat-trick against Auxerre, almost made it 2-0 soon after but he found himself crowded out by the Zaragoza defence, but there was nothing the hosts could do as Ronaldo did double Real's advantage in the 44th minute.The game seemed over as a contest almost immediately after the half time, as a wonderful pass from the excellent Xabi Alonso split the home defence in two and sent Di Maria through, the Argentina winger lobbing his compatriot Franco with a lovely finish. But six minutes later after the third goal,Ricardo Carvalho was booked for halting Nicolas Bertolo's run inside the area and Gabriel Fernandez stepped up to beat Iker Casillas from the penalty spot for Zaragoza's goal in the 54th minute.
Despite the frantic nature of the match neither keeper was tested for some time, thanks to a combination of brave blocks from the likes of Maurizio Lanzaro and some weak finishing from Benzema. Iker Casillas was featuring in his 400th Spanish La Liga fixture and only with one team, Real Madrid. The Spaniard was also the captain of the FIFA World Cup 2010’s winning team Spain. He was definitely a brick wall for both the Spanish teams and he was having an extraordinary game against Real Zaragoza as well. Lassana Diarra then came close to adding a fourth in the 80th minute but, after powering his way to the edge of the area and playing a good one-two with Di Maria, he saw his shot saved at the second attempt by Leo Franco.
There were no more goals though, as Madrid made it three wins in three since their thrashing at Barcelona on November 29.
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