In-form strike duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain earned Real Madrid their 12th successive Primera Division win and ensured Manuel Pellegrini’s side will start next weekend’s crunch showdown with Barcelona in top spot.
For the third successive round, Madrid had been provisionally knocked off the summit by second-placed Barca winning 24 hours previously, but the capital club responded again with a hard-fought victory over lowly Racing.
It was far from comfortable for Madrid, but Ronaldo’s successful 24th-minute penalty after the Portugal international had been brought down in the area put the visitors on course and Higuain sealed the win 14 minutes from time.
Ronaldo Goal
Higuain Goal