The Portugal star lashed out late on but the Wales winger
won a penalty and scored it himself to snatch all three points
Gareth Bale was the hero for Real Madrid as his penalty
snatched a 2-1 win over Cordoba on Saturday after Cristiano
Ronaldo had been sent off.
Ronaldo was given a straight red card for kicking out at a
Cordoba defender with the score deadlocked at 1-1 eight
minutes from time at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel on Saturday.
However, Bale spared his team-mate's blushes when he
converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute after his
own free kick had been handled - with Cordoba's Federico
Cartabia receiving a second booking for that offence.
Real therefore move four points clear of Barcelona ahead of
the Catalans' trip to Elche later on Saturday, but Carlo
Ancelotti will be concerned by his side's performance and the
fact Ronaldo - who cut a frustrated figure throughout the
clash - could now face a three-game ban for violent conduct.
Real endured a dreadful start as Nabil Ghilas confidently
converted from the penalty spot after Sergio Ramos handled
Bebe's shot just three minutes in.
Cordoba's confidence continued to grow after they had taken
the lead, with Bebe, Ghilas and Cartabia looking particularly
threatening on the counter.
Manchester United flop Bebe almost put the hosts two goals
to the good in the 18th minute, firing just wide of the post
following a driving run into the penalty area.
Despite appearing somewhat rattled by Cordoba's bold
approach, Real eventually restored parity through Benzema
just before the half-hour mark.
The France striker stabbed home from close range after
James Rodriguez's corner was flicked on by Bale.
Real struggled to build upon their equaliser, however, with
their star-studded frontline having little luck carving out clear-
cut chances against a well-organised Cordoba defence.
Ancelotti failed to inspire an improvement with his half-time
words, as Cordoba remained just as threatening going
forward.
In fact, the hosts appeared the more composed of the two
sides in attack and went close twice in quick succession in the
56th minute.
Cartabia first smashed a fierce effort just wide of the top-left
corner from 25 yards, before Bebe fired straight at Iker
Casillas after a strong solo run.
Their best chance came 12 minutes later, though.
Florin Andone pounced on Raphael Varane's weak header and
looped an effort over the approaching Casillas, but the ball
bounced up and hit the bar.
Cordoba appeared set to earn a well-deserved point when
Ronaldo was dismissed shortly after - the Ballon d'Or winner
reacting angrily to close attention from his markers during a
free kick - but Bale was on hand to nick all three points with
his late, late penalty.

http://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/córdoba-vs-real-madrid/1821721/report

CR calm down ooo...

4 red card in your career why Messi has no record of such. CR7 na wa o!