Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo hit a goal apiece in either half as Real Madrid eased past Celta Vigo with a 2-0 victory on Saturday. Argentine striker Higuain gave the current La Liga champions a lead on 12 minutes before Ronaldo wrapped up the points with a second-half penalty for a Madrid side that never really got going against unambitious opposition.
Newly-promoted Celta, backed by noisy support, had won on their last two visits to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2004 and 2007 but never looked like repeating that feat this time. The result means 'los blancos' move within five points of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, having played a game more.
Coach Jose Mourinho needed to shuffle his pack after a number of players returned with injuries from international duty. Brazilian international Kaka was called to start his first league game of the season while Raphael Varane took over in the centre of defence for only his second. There was also room for recent signings Michael Essien and Luka Modric as Mourinho kept one eye on Wednesday's Champions League tie at Borussia Dortmund.
It was Sergio Ramos, filling in at right-back, who had the first chance of the game when he headed a corner just over on three minutes and from that point a pattern of Madrid dominance was established. By the 12th minute Madrid were ahead when Higuain powered down the left wing and hit what looked like a cross that curled into the top far corner.
Ramos almost made it two from close range and then Ronaldo headed over a cross from Higuain as Celta struggled to get into Real's half. On 25 minutes they did mount their first attack when the impressive Iago Aspas forced a way through the Madrid defence and produced a diving save from Iker Casillas.