Cristiano Ronaldo reached another milestone as his brace lifted Real Madrid to three points against 10-man Getafe. Cristiano Ronaldo reached another milestone as his brace lifted Real Madrid to three points against 10-man Getafe. Cristiano Ronaldo ran his career total to 301 goals in La Liga with a brace in Real Madrid's win over Getafe.
Cristiano Ronaldo passed the 300 La Liga goals mark in Saturday's clash at home to Getafe, as the Real Madrid star reached yet another career landmark.
Ronaldo got to 300 just before halftime after he took a Karim Benzema pass, dribbled past a couple of defenders and slotted a low left-foot shot to the net. He then reached 301 late in the second half with a near post header from Marcelo's cross.
It took the Portuguese national just 286 games to get to the triple-century, with the goals coming in all shapes and sizes during his eight and a half seasons with Los Blancos.
Deciding which of the 301 goals is the best is difficult, if not objectively impossible. But here are six of Ronaldo's best goals in a Madrid shirt -- showing the range of finishing skills that have carried him to be the club's top goal scorer of all time.
1. Thunderbolt free kick v Zaragoza -- La Romareda -- Dec. 12, 2010
Although Ronaldo's dead-ball technique and success rate have drawn much comment and debate over the years, 19 of his 301 La Liga goals have come direct from free kicks, with plenty of crackers over the years.
One that stands out came in his second season in Spain on a visit to Real Zaragoza. The foul was committed in an ominously ideal location for a right-footed taker, 28 yards from goal, almost in line with the goalkeeper's left-hand post.
Ronaldo assumed his trademark shoulders-out stance, went for power over delicacy, and hammered a shot (later measured at 105 km/h) which flew past the wall and into the top corner before Zaragoza keeper Leo Franco could even move.
2. Back-heel at Rayo -- Estadio Vallecas -- Feb. 16, 2012
Quickness of mind, as well as power of shot, has been key to Ronaldo's goal scoring for Madrid.
A trip to the Estadio Vallecas in early 2012 was turning into a difficult afternoon for Jose Mourinho's side, with the game scoreless at the break. Early in the second half Madrid won a corner. Ronaldo was being held by his marker as the ball came over but shrugged himself free amid a scramble near the penalty spot.
He then showed quick thinking and excellent technique to back-heel the ball through five powerless Rayo defenders just inside the far post for the only goal of the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 300th and 301st La Liga goals in Saturday's victory.
3. Bamboozling Courtois at the Calderon -- April 11, 2012
A few months later Madrid were leading La Liga but under pressure from chasing Barcelona. On a visit to neighbouring Atletico Madrid, Ronaldo opened the scoring with a trademark swerving free-kick. But Radamel Falcao equalised, and with 20 minutes left, Los Blancos' title challenge appeared to be faltering.
Then Ronaldo picked the ball out towards the left wing, with plenty of defenders between him and the goal. Using Fabio Coentrao's overlapping run as a decoy, Ronaldo took another touch to set himself and clipped a tremendously powerful shot, which spun over Thibaut Courtois and down into the far top corner.
This type of goal was quite a speciality of his at the time, as was his celebration of rolling up his shorts to show everyone his thickly muscled right thigh. He later completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot as Madrid won 4-1.
4. Volley against Valencia -- May 5, 2014 -- Bernabeu
Ronaldo has become more of a specialist penalty-box finisher as his career progressed but has always had a nose for any opportunity to find the net, especially at important moments. With the 2013-14 title race going down to the wire, Valencia were 2-1 up at the Bernabeu with 92 minutes played.
Then a cross from the right was headed out to Madrid's Angel Di Maria, who returned the ball to the danger area. Ronaldo spun smartly and acrobatically stuck out a heel to guide Di Maria's cross for an unstoppable volley that passed stunned Los Che goalkeeper Diego Alves.
This time the celebration involved sprinting back to halfway to get the game restarted, with three minutes of added time still remaining.
5. Header against Deportivo -- Riazor -- Sept. 20, 2014
48 of Ronaldo's 301 La Liga goals for Madrid have been headers -- and maybe the most difficult came against Deportivo La Coruna early in 2014-15. Alvaro Arbeloa's chipped cross forced him to adjust his run and then arch his back and twist his shoulders -- while hovering in the air just over the penalty spot -- as huge Depor centre-back Sidnei jumped right at him.
Ronaldo still got tremendous power and direction on the ball to send it flying into the far top corner, well out of the reach of goalkeeper German Lux. The scorer remained on the ground, with Sidnei on top of him, well after the ball hit the net. He went on to complete another hat-trick as Madrid won 8-2.
6. Counter-attack/dribble against Espanyol -- Jan. 31, 2016
Counter-attacks have been a big source of goals for Ronaldo throughout his time at the Bernabeu, with his pace and power coming to the fore -- especially when defences are stretched.
The home match with Espanyol in 2015-16 was a typical example. The visitors pushed forward 3-0 down and left acres in behind. James Rodriguez's deflected pass set Ronaldo free, but as he reached the area he checked back, sending three defenders the wrong way, before using his momentum to almost sling-shot a 20-yarder to the far corner.
Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan
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Source: espn.co.uk