Madrid beats Barcelona 2-1 to move 7 points clear

By Joseph Wilson

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, April 21 2012 1:55 p.m. MDT

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Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, right, scores a goal beating Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Saturday, April 21, 2012.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza, Associated Press

Summary

Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal dealt Barcelona its first loss in 54 home games and put Real Madrid on the cusp of breaking the Catalan giants' three-year hold on the Spanish league crown with a record-setting 2-1 win on Saturday.

BARCELONA, Spain — Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal dealt Barcelona its first loss in 54 home games and put Real Madrid on the cusp of breaking the Catalan giants' three-year hold on the Spanish league crown with a record-setting 2-1 win on Saturday.

Sami Khedira opened with Madrid's league-record 108th goal of the season and Ronaldo sealed the victory with his own league-record 42nd goal moments after Alexis Sanchez leveled for Barcelona.

Madrid's 19th league game without a loss lifted it seven points clear of Barcelona at the top of the standings with just four rounds to go.

After managing only a single win in nine previous games against Barcelona since joining Madrid, coach Jose Mourinho finally guided his team to a long-coveted victory over its fierce rivals on their ground.

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