Football: Ronaldo edges Real within six points of Barca

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale is congratulated by teammates. Photo / AP

Gareth Bale and Ronaldo have helped Real Madrid by doing what they are best - scoring goals.

Both scored as the Spanish giants gained three vital points against Eibar to help move Real back to within six points of Barcelona. It was Bale's first goal since the second week of the campaign and his first goal away from home since January.

But it capped a fine performance from the Welshman and there are signs that just as Rafa Benitez needs him most Bale is starting to deliver.

It was a hard-fought 2-0 win against an Eibar team that went into the game in sixth place. After Bale's goal it was the first time they had gone in behind at half-time.

A Luka Modric corner was taken short to James Rodriguez and when he played it back to the Croatian, Modric whipped it into the area and Bale made just the right contact with a near post header.

The home side were prepared to get physical with the visitors with Ronaldo a key target. The tactics ultimately gave away a second half penalty after Real substitute Lucas Vazquez went past Dani Garcia before being fouled by the defender. Ronaldo greedily accepted the chance to score from the spot.

Eibar had presented Mikel Arruabarrena with the Iron Ball before the game. Presumably they had waited until this fixture to present the prize with one eye on the visiting Golden Ball holder Ronaldo. They looked like having the last laugh too as he missed a series of chances. But he stroked home the penalty to put the game beyond Eibar.

It was a big victory for Benitez. He cannot have been looking forward to difficult trips to the Ukraine and the Basque Country after last week's Clasico meltdown. He started the game without three of his first choice back four and fullback Dani Carvajal hobbled off by the end.

But Real had the three points and were back just six points behind Barcelona.

"We know we have to improve even more," said Keylor Navas after the game. "But we applied ourselves today and we came away with the right result."

- Daily Mail