ALMERIA (Spain): Cristiano Ronaldo hit a late double as La Liga leaders Real Madrid thumped Almeria 4-1 at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos to extend their Spanish record for consecutive victories in all competitions to 20 on Friday.

Ronaldo struck twice in the last 10 minutes to take his league tally to 25 after first-half goals from Isco and Gareth Bale had seen the visitors go in 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Isco put Real ahead in the 34th by curling a shot inside the far post but Jose Garcia Verza equalised five minutes later with a shot from outside the area after the ball was cleared straight to him.

Bale restored the lead when he rose to head in Toni Kroos’ cross in the 42nd before Real needed a big save from captain Iker Casillas when he parried Verza’s penalty on the hour mark.

Ronaldo had been left frustrated for most of the night but he burst into life late on when he knocked in a Karim Benzema cut back from close range before putting away an Isco pass from the centre of the penalty area to wrap up the victory.

Real bettered the 18-game winning streak set by Barcelona in 2005-06 when they beat Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League on Tuesday and lead the La Liga standings with 39 points from 15 games, five points more than Barca.

The European champions, who last failed to win when they were beaten 2-1 by city rivals Atletico Madrid in a La Liga game in September, travel to Morocco next week for the Club World Cup.

“Almeria fought hard and we had a lot of problems during the game as we sought to keep possession. Only at the end of the game were we able to control the ball well and find the goals we needed to finish the match,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“Casillas managed to save the penalty in what was a defining moment, and thereafter that it was a little bit easier for us.

“We’ve had an unforgettable year, winning a lot of titles, especially La Decima [10th Champions League title], and are in a good position in the league. We now go to the Club World Cup with the intentions of winning it.”

Published in Dawn December 14th , 2014