Cristiano Ronaldo scored a superb back-heeled goal to give Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano Sunday, keeping the team on track for its first Spanish league title in four years. After Vallecano had outplayed its crosstown rival in the first half, Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball in the area and flicked it through a pack of defenders with his back to the net in the 54th minute to take his league-leading tally to 29 goals. Rayo mustered a late push but missed a pair of clear chances to level late as Madrid held on to win its ninth straight away game in a league that it is dominating. The victory left Jose Mourinho's team 13 points clear of defending champion Barcelona, which has a tough test later Sunday at an Atletico Madrid team rejuvenated under new coach Diego Simeone. “It was a great goal,” Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas said. “I saw the back-heeled shot and I didn't think it was going in, but it was a great touch of class that he pulled out of nowhere.” “Rayo didn't deserve to lose,” said a gracious Mourinho, who gave credit to his defense. “A draw would have been fair because they were a fantastic opponent. If we hadn't played so well in the back we wouldn't have won.” “This game was one we knew we could lose, but we just lacked that final scoring touch,” Rayo coach Jose Sandoval said. “Today all the stars aligned for Rayo not to win.” Elsewhere, Spain winger Jesus Navas set up one goal and scored another to give Sevilla a 2-1 win at third-place Valencia, which has won just once in the last eight rounds. Nilmar scored his first goal in five months to secure Villarreal a 2-2 home draw with Athletic Bilbao to move three points clear of the drop. Also, 10-man Osasuna beat visitor Granada 2-1, and Real Sociedad edged Mallorca 1-0 at home. On Saturday, it was: Racing Santander 1, Sporting Gijon 1; Real Betis 1, Getafe 1; Malaga 5, Zaragoza 1; and Espanyol 1, Levante 2.
